LAUFEN and Roca open Sydney Gallery, a new hub for architecture and design in Australia
Roca Group has officially opened Sydney Gallery, a new design-led space that becomes part of its international network of Galleries developed worldwide.
Located in Surry Hills, Sydney Gallery reinforces the Group’s commitment to architecture, design culture and professional exchange, bringing together its two global brands Laufen and Roca, within a shared spatial framework.
Curated as a design-driven space, Sydney Gallery moves beyond the logic of a conventional showroom, placing architecture and design at the centre of the project. Conceived as an active space for presentation and exchange, it expresses a vision of the bathroom as a place of wellbeing, innovation and contemporary living, while serving as a platform for professional exchange and industry dialogue.
“The opening of Sydney Gallery represents an important milestone for Roca Group in Australia. This new space reflects our commitment to design, architecture and professional exchange and reinforces our long-term vision for the market”, said Shaun Tulk, Managing Director of Roca Group Australia.
The architectural approach
The project occupies a two-level heritage building on Gadigal Country and embraces the neighbourhood’s strong culture of adaptive reuse. Original architectural elements and materials have been retained and reinterpreted, allowing the existing structure to actively shape the atmosphere of the Gallery.
Designed by international architecture and design practice DKO, the Gallery is organised as a sequence of complementary environments across two levels. Light plays a central role throughout the space, guiding movement and shaping perception, while material choices respond both to the character of the building and to the identities of the brands.
The lower level is dedicated to Laufen, articulated as a spatial narrative rooted in the elemental origins of ceramics. Tactile surfaces, earthy tones and exposed concrete elements create a grounded environment that highlights precision, innovation and ceramic expertise. Within this setting, Laufen’s collections are presented with deliberate precision, revealing the brand’s mastery of ceramic innovation, technical refinement and Swiss manufacturing excellence.
The upper level introduces a contrasting atmosphere linked to Roca’s Mediterranean DNA. Lighter, warmer and more open, the space is characterised by soft palettes, relaxed spatial flow and architectural elements such as breeze blocks and curved forms. Mediterranean references are reinterpreted through an Australian lens, responding to Sydney’s coastal context and reflecting Roca’s approach to accessible design and everyday comfort.
A forum for creative and professional dialogue
Beyond its exhibition role, Sydney Gallery is conceived as a platform for exchange, reflection and professional engagement. The space is designed to host events, talks and industry encounters that explore architecture, design and contemporary ways of living, bringing together architects, designers, specifiers and other professionals in Australia.
As part of the international network of Galleries developed by Roca Group worldwide, Sydney Gallery contributes to an ongoing dialogue between global design culture and local context, reflecting the shared commitment of Laufen and Roca to architecture, responsible innovation and the future of design.
About Roca Group
Roca Group is the global leader in the design, manufacturing, and sale of bathroom products for architecture, construction, and interior design. Founded in 1917, it combines tradition and knowledge with a passion for innovation and respect for the environment, in order to meet the demands of customers and contribute to improving the well-being of society.
With renowned global brands such as Laufen and Roca and with sustainability as a key element in all its manufacturing processes, Roca Group promotes a responsible corporate culture in the 170 countries where it operates and in its 78 production centers, thanks to the daily commitment of its 20,000 professionals.
This approach has been recognized with the Platinum Medal from EcoVadis, a global standard in corporate sustainability assessments, for its outstanding performance. This family business is a market leader in Europe, Latin America, and India. It also has a significant presence in China and the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and Africa. As a result, it is a world leader in its sector. www.rocagroup.com
About LAUFEN
Since 1892, LAUFEN has shaped bathroom culture through a distinctive blend of Swiss precision, material innovation and refined design. Founded in Switzerland, the brand has built its reputation on transforming raw mineral resources into architectural ceramic solutions that redefine quality, proportion and performance.
Combining advanced industrial expertise with a deep-rooted tradition of craftsmanship, LAUFEN develops holistic bathroom concepts that extend beyond ceramics to include furniture, bathtubs, faucets, mirrors and installation systems. Each element is conceived as part of a coherent architectural composition, created in collaboration with leading designers and architects worldwide.
Innovation at LAUFEN is a continuous pursuit. From pioneering material technologies to advancing sustainable manufacturing standards, the company consistently challenges conventions. Guided by a profound respect for nature embedded in Swiss culture, LAUFEN is committed to resource efficiency, clean technologies and responsible production processes that minimise environmental impact. Rooted in heritage yet globally oriented, LAUFEN reimagines the bathroom as a living space where technical rigour, aesthetic clarity and environmental responsibility exist in lasting balance.
