Gaggenau has marked the next chapter in its 340-year history with the opening of Gaggenau Sydney in the heart of Surry Hills in the inner city.
Created in collaboration with long-time architect partner, 1zu33, Gaggenau Sydney takes inspiration from the brand’s relationship to the culinary arts and hospitality landscape that defines Surry Hills, inviting the design community to immerse themselves within the brand’s history.
A post office in its former life, the 260 square metre heritage building allowed for a unique layout approach, split into two primary sections – one facing the street and the other setting deeper into the space opening up to an expansive inner courtyard.
Upon entrance, visitors are greeted with an assertive exhibition space titled ‘The Social Hub’ adorned in a dark hand-applied plaster finish, Black Douglas fir boards, lineal textured wall tiles and blackened steel joinery cladding.
While the space is designed for hosting guests and socialising, it highlights the design excellence and craftmanship within Gaggenau appliances with the extensive range on display throughout.
‘The Home of Gaggenau’ at the rear of the space uses a softer palette of oak floorboards and walnut cabinetry, lime wash across the ceiling and expansive stone benchtops to evoke a sense of comfort.
Connecting both rooms is the central core of the Gaggenau heritage – ‘The Difference’ – an intimate and low-lit experiential chamber displays iron ore, cobalt and silicium, physical artefacts that reflect the brand’s evolution. Behind a spy mirror is a screen that presents a 90-second video that explains Gaggenau’s history, product design process and connection to the culinary landscape.
Welcoming guests to the space, BSH general manager – retail sales, Robert Warner said, “I’d like to welcome you to Gaggenau Sydney and thank you for joining us for the launch. This is a project that’s been more than four years in the making. We started looking for a site back in 2019, which allowed us to identify what we wanted from the space.
“When we embarked on this journey, we had the pleasure of opening Gaggenau Melbourne in 2018 designed by Sue Carr, founding principal of Carr Design Group. What we have learnt from Gaggenau Melbourne is that our customers want to experience our brand in our space. They want to be immersed in our brand and we wanted to provide that opportunity for customers in Sydney.
“We wanted to deliver an environment for architects, designers, builders, developers and retail partners, to have a deeper conversation with our brand. We also wanted to be able to host events, like this launch, with people from within – and outside – the industry to experience the world of Gaggenau. Our Munich-based architect partner 1zu33, worked tirelessly on the cultivation and collaboration of finishes, textures, furniture, colour and a raft of other senses to create this beautiful space.”
BSH consumer experience manager, Aleks Efeian added, “Five years ago, we officially opened Gaggenau Melbourne and it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome you to Gaggenau Sydney after four years of bringing this project together. I would also like to walk you through the journey of the showroom and what it means to us.
“We collaborated with our architect partner 1zu33 founded by Hendrik Müller in Munich. At the front is the social hub of Gaggenau, which is about bringing people together and welcoming them through the creation of an entry lounge, coffee bar and seating area.
“This space was formerly the Surry Hills post office so the way the design has been integrated at the front, gives a nod to the Sydney developments from the past eight decades. The design is bookended with sorting boxes that have become part of the heritage.
“As you move through the space, you start to experience what’s known as ‘The Difference’ – the heart and soul of Gaggenau as a brand. You can experience what 340 years of our brand looks like – a brand that has stood for craftmanship, heritage and quality.
“The back of the space is the ‘Home of Gaggenau’ with the chef’s kitchen on the left side and an apartment kitchen on the right side, designed to showcase ‘the best of the best’ in our 400 series appliances. I would also like to thank BSH Australia managing director, Andrew Jones, for entrusting me with this project and Rob Warner, whose confidence at the beginning of this project allowed me to rise above the challenges.”
Gaggenau Sydney is located at 543 Crown Street, Surry Hills.
Photo Credit: Photographer, Steen Vestergaard.