Sheffield Design Studio

Relocating to a new studio in Sheffield city centre was more than a change of address — it was an opportunity to embody the values of sustainable, human-centred design in our everyday workspace. The studio now functions not just as an office, but as a living model of how interiors can support wellbeing, connection, and environmental responsibility.

From the outset, the interior design was conceived to align function with ethos. Natural daylight floods the workspace through large windows, creating brightness, openness, and a constant visual dialogue with the city beyond. Interior zones are softly defined — a balance between open collaboration and calmer focus areas — to support different modes of work while preserving spatial flow.

Materials and finishes were selected for performance, longevity, and low environmental impact. Carbon-neutral carpet tiles, locally produced acoustic panels, and finishes with minimal embodied carbon provide a warm, grounded backdrop without compromising technical requirements. The palette is neutral, tactile, and resilient — one that invites comfort and flexibility rather than overt stylistic statements.

Wellbeing was woven into every spatial decision: a dedicated quiet room provides retreat, while collaborative zones and flexible desks enable dialogue and adaptability. Furniture, lighting, and circulation were all calibrated to support day-to-day staff experience — promoting movement, choice, and connection rather than rigid hierarchies of space.

This studio isn’t just a workplace — it’s a demonstration of how design intention translates into daily life. Retaining and repurposing an existing building reduced embodied carbon and reinforced the commitment to sustainable practice. To this base was layered a thoughtful interior fit-out: efficient energy strategies, passive ventilation, and well-considered systems support a high-performance interior without excess.

Importantly, the space is versatile. Layouts are reconfigurable to support evolving needs — internal meetings, external gatherings, workshops, solo work — without requiring major refurbishment. This adaptive approach protects value over time.

Relocating the studio has reinforced the relationship to Sheffield’s civic fabric — stimulating local economic connections, enhancing visibility, and activating the neighbourhood. Donating surplus materials to community organisations and local schools was part of the zero-waste strategy, embedding the studio into its context beyond its walls.

The studio’s location is well served by public transit and cycle links, and internal amenity planning encourages sustainable commuting. Together, these decisions help support a low-carbon lifestyle for staff and visitors alike.

Sustainability was central at every scale. Solar panels offset operational energy demands, low-energy lighting and ventilation systems reduce consumption, and the flexible interior infrastructure limits waste over time. By shrinking the amount of fixed desk space and embracing agile work patterns, the studio consumes less energy per person.

In its completed form, the Sheffield Studio functions as both a workplace and a demonstration of interior design that is purposeful, responsible, and regenerative.