Studio Gram, an award-winning Australian architecture and interior design firm, has found a new home in an unexpected place: a former car repair shop. The studio’s director, Graham Charbonneau, tells Place Journal that the space felt like one they could shape rather than simply occupy. Charbonneau highlights the building’s rawness, scale, and adaptability as key factors that resonated with the studio’s vision, allowing them to integrate into the community and contribute to the streetscape.
Located in Adelaide’s inner-north, the building was once home to Bowden Motor Repairs, a family-run business that was a cornerstone of the area’s industrial environment for over four decades. The transformation of this space reflects Studio Gram’s ability to blend the familiar with the unexpected, a hallmark of their work seen in projects like Fugazzi Bar and Dining Room and Oggi. Now, the space has been reimagined as a design studio, with the industrial doors that once admitted broken-down cars now welcoming the community for talks and exhibitions. This shift symbolizes the evolution of the area from a blue-collar industrial hub to a creative and collaborative space.
From Car Repairs to Design Studio
The building’s heritage is still evident, with the studio adopting the rawness, robustness, and utilitarian honesty of the space. Charbonneau notes that the workshop’s honesty and robustness informed a restrained, utilitarian palette, softened by light, timber, and native gardens. The design process was deeply influenced by the building’s existing character, with Charbonneau emphasizing that the structure itself guided the realization of their vision. This approach ensures that the space retains its historical essence while adapting to its new purpose.
The result is an “industrial but warm” aesthetic that draws you in, with natural timber complementing exposed concrete and steel. The space tells a story – one that spans 50 years and bridges the gap between the building’s past and present. Visitors are invited to experience this narrative through the thoughtful juxtaposition of old and new elements, creating a dialogue between the industrial history and contemporary design.
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As the studio settles into its new home, it’s clear that the space is more than just a physical location. It’s a reflection of the firm’s philosophy, which emphasizes thoughtful, human-centered design grounded in clarity, craft, and context. The building’s adaptability and flexibility support the studio’s way of thinking, working, and collaborating. This alignment between space and philosophy shows Studio Gram’s commitment to creating environments that support creativity and community engagement.
Looking ahead, it’s plausible that this move could signal a broader trend in the design industry, where firms seek out unconventional spaces that offer a unique blend of history, character, and adaptability. As Studio Gram demonstrates, these spaces can be transformed into dynamic hubs that support creativity, community engagement, and a deeper connection to the surrounding environment, such as Adelaide’s urban environment. This approach not only revitalizes underutilized buildings but also enriches the cultural fabric of the neighborhoods they inhabit.
A Space for Growth and Collaboration
The studio’s new home is designed to support its growth and evolution. The workspace, for example, can transform from desks to an open studio in just 10 minutes, allowing for seamless transitions between work and play. This flexibility is a key aspect of the space, giving the studio the adaptability it needs to thrive. Charbonneau notes that this feature enables the studio to host events and gatherings, further embedding them within the community.
As Charbonneau puts it, the space is a physical expression of the studio’s values. It’s a place that supports how they think, work, collaborate, and grow. With its rich history and thoughtful redesign, Studio Gram’s new home is a sign of the power of architecture and design to transform spaces and communities, reflecting the studio’s commitment to place-making and contextual design. The project serves as an inspiring example of how creative reuse can breathe new life into old structures while honoring their past.
