On a recent evening in West Perth, Zenith Interiors’ showroom brought the city’s underground design community to life. Literally, that is: Zenith’s Perth home nestles into the sub-basement space of a former chocolate and confectionary factory in inner city and brings a much-needed sense of vitality to a previously under-utilised space. Zenith’s vibrant catalogue of furniture and workstations offsets the space’s original sleepers and concrete floor, while a custom entry display unit sets the scene at first sight. The space walks the tightrope between showroom and installation art: along the far wall, Zenith seats sit solo and in pairs in pine crates salvaged from the original factory, and throughout the showroom furniture is carefully arranged in perfect tableaus of the contemporary commercial space. The classic showroom with a twist, the space is in many ways the perfect embodiment of Perth’s architectural and industrial histories.

You see, for years, Western Australia had two main industries: mining and petroleum. Between the two there was little space for other industries – let alone a creative scene – and Perth has long been unfairly regarded as the less sophisticated cousin of other capitals such as Sydney and Melbourne. However, it’s clear that this is no longer the case: as the state steps out of the shadow of the mining industry, Perth is enjoying a rebirth as Australia’s newest destination for offbeat, outstanding creative talent. This renaissance coincides with the rapid expansion of its commercial sector to provide the ideal entry point for major players within the sector, such as Zenith.

In their West Perth showroom, Zenith paid homage to this unique context with an event that tempered the standard design space launch with a heavy dose of Perth’s quirky cool. Gin from Margaret River Distilling Co’s bespoke Ginversity line took the place of champagne flutes, while local act Amanda Dee & Soothe set a relaxed vibe with a laidback, smooth musical set.

The night was one of new beginnings all around, with Zenith announcing the appointment of Jane Millington as WA State Manager and Michael Bondas as WA Regional Manager. The opening also marked the WA launch of three flagship ranges within the Zenith catalogue: Zenith’s own KISSEN and PLATFORMA ranges and Schamburg + Alvisse’s EDO Streetscape.

Taking its name from the German word for ‘cushion’, the KISSEN range unites a table, high table, and workstation with a distinct leg profile and refined, sophisticated material palette. A play on the conventional worktable and workspace, KISSEN is designed to maximise collaboration and usher in the new age of team-based working.

In a similar manner, the modular PLATFORMA soft seating and tables collection reimagines commercial seating at this exciting point of change. Offsetting clean, boldly graphic design lines and a modular configuration with sumptuous, relaxed upholstery, PLATFORMA is at once innovative and understated, making it the perfect range for Perth’s unique commercial sector.

Rounding out the trio of debuting products is EDO Streestscape, the Good Design Award Gold-winning latest offering from Schamburg + Alvisse. Inspired by the backstreets of Tokyo, EDO is a bold reinvention of the modular workspaces that is designed to maximise sociability and collaboration. Vibrant, youthful, and delightfully offbeat, EDO reflects all the best characteristics of Western Australia’s burgeoning, distinctive commercial scene.

The new Perth showroom marks Zenith’s seventh location in Australia and thirteenth in the Asia Pacific region, joining other world-class design destinations in Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.