A Southern California Factory Becomes an Office for Music Industry Creatives

Multidisciplinary practice 22RE transformed a vaulted 1950s factory into a contemporary workspace for a music branding agency. Located in Culver City’s Hayden Tract, a former industrial zone, Ceremony of Roses has tech startups, media firms, and galleries as neighbors. The designers, who collaborated with Never Far Studios on the project, embraced modernism as inspiration.

Interior of a modern office with wooden sliding doors, minimal furniture, a potted plant, and large windows allowing natural light.

There are touches that reference the town’s history of manufacturing, yet have the warmth of a residential environment. “We wanted to create these intimate spaces for the sessions between the musicians and the partners,” says Dean Levin, founder and principal of 22RE. “There’s the comfort of being in a home.”

A modern, minimalist living room with metal wall panels, a modular sectional sofa, a geometric hanging light, and a coffee table featuring a vase with twigs and small, spherical decorations.

An enveloping huddle room greets visitors, designed to encourage conversations about the clothing and accessories produced for artists like Adele and Lil Nas X. Carpeting and mohair couches adorn the area, reminiscent of a 1970s sunken living room. Stainless steel paneling provides a touch of coolness. At the center rests a custom 22RE aluminum coffee table. The sleek piece, intentionally placed in the middle of the room, represents the nucleus of creativity, and where partnership begins.

Modern office space with minimalist design featuring metal desks, ergonomic chairs, and a wooden central structure. The area has exposed beams and an industrial decor.

An open office space with wooden walls and beams, multiple workstations with chairs, and a glass partition separating another room. Desks have no personal items. The area is well-lit with natural light.

Just beyond the foyer, the communal work section features six dual aluminum workstations and matching cabinets underneath, alongside Eames Management chairs. The raw concrete floor contrasts with exposed wood rafters and the surrounding millwork. Custom oak and walnut detailing and shelving have organic appeal.

A modern, minimalist room features metal desks, wooden cabinets, and a glass-paneled wall. A lounge chair and floor lamp are visible through the glass.

Executive suites line the perimeter of the office, highlighted by curtain-framed windows which maintain sightlines. These well-appointed offices boast curated selections of vintage art and furniture. An aluminum dining table is the kitchen’s focal point. Matching matte chairs have pony hair upholstery made by a local artisan, a nod to the Golden State’s western heritage.

A modern home office with wooden desk and shelves, containing books, a red desk lamp, an open notebook, and artworks. A black chair is placed at the desk. The room has a carpeted floor.

A freestanding structure anchors the open space, a separate hub that houses conference and listening rooms – and a transition from the bright, airy main office zone. A Deco-style burl wood table is the centerpiece in the conference room, surrounded by maple burl paneled walls. Dark stained white oak and titanium travertine shelving complement the interior.

A dimly lit conference room features a rectangular wooden table surrounded by six black chairs, illuminated by a single large spherical pendant light. The walls are paneled in dark wood.

A space dedicated to music would hardly be complete without a listening room. This environment is decidedly plush, colored in rich brown tones throughout, from the carpet to the walnut panels. Angles in the ceilings maximize sound quality. Shelves hold a library of albums and turntables, because here the music of choice is on vinyl, rather than a digital playlist. The gently curved velvet upholstered sofa stretches out a full six feet, which allows people to sit comfortably. Or, they can even lie down if they want to immerse themselves fully in the experience.

A wooden bookshelf with integrated lighting, filled with vinyl records and electronic equipment, stands in a dimly lit room. A white paper lantern is visible on the right side.

A dimly lit room with wooden walls and shelves filled with vinyl records. A curved cushioned seating area and a hanging cylindrical lamp add to the cozy ambiance.

The distinct realms of the workplace reflect the best qualities of its location. “California is a cultural melting pot,” Levin notes. “I wanted the office to feel like it could be almost anywhere in the world. We brought some of the domestic qualities of Europe and Japan into this commercial setting.”

Modern dining room with a long metallic table, matching metallic chairs, a wooden wall backdrop, a spherical pendant light, and a flower arrangement on a side shelf.