London-based industrial-design studio Blond has celebrated its 10th anniversary by renovating its canal-side studio in East London. The redesign aims to support collaboration, prototyping, and a growing team.
A decade of growth reshapes the studio
The new layout reflects the studio’s shift from a small workspace to a hub for complex projects. Blond’s portfolio includes medical products, consumer electronics, packaging, luggage, exhibitions, and furniture, requiring adaptable spaces for varied workflows.
“Early on, it was about simply having enough space to work,” said founder James Melia. “Now there is a need to support collaboration, client workshops, prototyping, and different ways of working. Culture has also become important.”
The studio’s expansion aligns with its growing client list. The redesign involved reimagining unused areas to create a more connected and social environment.
Function meets aesthetics in a stripped-back design
The renovation added a second meeting room, a collaborative area for up to 20 people, an extended kitchen, a display space, and a breakout zone. A larger workshop now improves the studio’s 3D capabilities, supporting digital fabrication and hands-on model-making.
Blond used its design skills to craft custom storage, furniture, lighting, and displays. The studio kept its industrial architecture, pairing natural wood, stainless steel, exposed beams, and neutral tones.
“We leaned into that aesthetic,” Melia said. “The overall feel is simple but warm.”
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Custom workbenches line one side of the space, featuring built-in storage and hidden hardware to keep surfaces clean. White walls and finishes were selected to support the high-performance equipment needed for the studio’s projects while maintaining a calm atmosphere.
A design studio focused on precision required a space that could fade into the background when necessary. The result is an environment that feels more like a workshop for ideas than a traditional office, where every tool is as carefully designed as the products they help produce.
Flexibility as a core principle
The updated layout allows teams to move seamlessly between in-person meetings, remote sessions, and group work. The expanded kitchen and breakout areas encourage casual conversations, reinforcing the studio’s focus on culture.
“We couldn’t find ready-made pieces that fit the space or our style,” Melia said. “So we made our own.”
The changes also respond to how design studios now operate. With hybrid work becoming standard, physical spaces must balance in-person collaboration and digital connectivity. Blond’s approach shows that flexibility goes beyond movable furniture—it means creating an environment that can adjust as quickly as the projects it supports.
The studio’s new private office system reflects this adaptability, allowing teams to reconfigure spaces for different tasks without disruption.
