A building that speaks the brand.

Zünd is a Swiss manufacturer of high-precision digital cutting systems with an established American operation. For years the company had been working out of generic warehouse space in Oak Creek, Wisconsin — functional, but wholly misaligned with what Zünd represents: precision engineering, refined design, and an uncompromising attention to quality. As the company grew and its client base expanded, the need for a purpose-built facility became clear.

Their American headquarters needed to do more than house operations. It needed to embody the brand, and to make that impression on every customer who walked through the door.

Studio Graf led the architectural design from concept through to construction documentation, with Wisconsin-based firm EUA serving as architect of record — responsible for local code compliance, permitting, and construction administration. Fabian's Swiss background was central to the design process in two ways: it enabled direct, unfiltered communication with the client in Swiss German, and it brought an instinctive understanding of the precision, material quality, and design rigour that Zünd expected. The client did not need to explain their standards — they were already shared. That common ground allowed the design conversation to move faster and go deeper than a conventional international brief typically allows.

The building is organised around a strong client-facing programme. Zünd's customers — prospective buyers of high-value industrial cutting systems — travel to Oak Creek specifically to see the machines in action, attend demonstrations, and complete hardware and software training before committing to a purchase. The showroom is therefore the heart of the building: a generous, double-height space at ground level that puts the equipment centre stage, announced by a dramatic lobby on arrival. Dedicated training facilities sit adjacent to the showroom, while offices for the sales and technical teams occupy the upper level alongside a landscaped terrace with views over the Emerald Preserve Park. Warm walnut panelling defines circulation through the public zones, and integrated solar shading and daylight automation maintain comfort and performance throughout. The exterior — a sleek curtain wall of glass and dark metal — signals the same precision and confidence the client encounters inside.

The project demonstrates Studio Graf's ability to navigate complex, cross-cultural briefs — delivering design leadership and client advocacy across international teams and unfamiliar jurisdictions.