Adelaide Motor Repair Centre Becomes Dynamic Hub for Art, Architecture and Community.

Adelaide’s Studio Gram has reimagined what a design practice can be with their new studio at 68 Chief Street, Brompton. The transformation of a former motor repair centre into a vibrant creative workspace integrates industrial heritage with contemporary design thinking.

Graham Charbonneau and Dave Bickmore, the driving forces behind Studio Gram, have created something quite special here. Rather than fighting against the building’s automotive past, they’ve embraced its raw materiality and functional bones. The exposed concrete block walls, steel trusses, and industrial fixtures remain largely untouched, creating an honest backdrop for creative work.

What sets this project apart is its adaptability, with wellness seamlessly integrated into its fabric. The 265-square-metre space transforms from a daily workspace into an event venue, hosting industry talks, exhibitions, and community gatherings. This flexibility reflects Studio Gram’s expanded vision for what an architectural practice can offer beyond traditional design services, promoting balance, connection, and creative renewal through an environment where well-being is valued alongside productivity.

The art program, curated by James Brown, brings together works from Nico Krijno, Emmaline Zanelli, Madeleine Collopy, Hari Koutlakis, and Henry Jock Walker alongside Brown’s own pieces. These works punctuate the industrial space, creating moments of colour and contemplation against the neutral palette of concrete and timber.

Circular Thinking: Coopers Brewery's Brand Home in Adelaide.

Australia's oldest family-owned brewery has found a new architectural expression at Regency Park, Adelaide. The $70 million building transforms the brewing experience with its distinctive circular plan reflecting the brewing process and brand's roundel logo.

“Studio Gram’s new home is more than a workspace—it is a living framework for the evolution of our practice and its connection to the wider creative community,” explains the team. This philosophy extends to their artist-in-residence program, which welcomes creatives from diverse disciplines to foster cross-pollination between design, art, and education.

The material choices reflect both pragmatism and warmth. Collaborative furniture pieces by Remington Matters sit comfortably within the industrial shell, while storage and meeting spaces maintain the sense of openness crucial to the studio’s community-focused mission.

Located on Kaurna land, this project is a statement about how design practices can contribute to cultural discourse while maintaining a connection to place and community. The former motor repair centre has found new life as a catalyst for creative engagement.

A 1950s Beijing Forklift Factory Fosters Creative Synergy Between an Architecture Studio and a Modern Florist.

A forgotten industrial 1950s cottage finds new life as a creative sanctuary. Office AIO's renovation creates distinct zones for its architectural studio and modern florist, maximising the footprint through clever vertical division and materially refined choices.

[Images courtesy of Studio Gram. Photography by Timothy Kaye.]