From Hospitality to Studio Workspace
A Former Restaurant Reimagined as a Contemporary Design Studio
A disused restaurant in Sydney has been transformed into a refined commercial workspace for Kate Nixon Studio, demonstrating how material layering and considered detailing can shape a functional yet highly resolved interior.
GALLERY
Designed to operate as both a working studio and a client-facing environment, the project balances practicality with a clear expression of the studio’s design approach. The result is a space that supports day-to-day workflow while also acting as a physical representation of the practice’s material and spatial thinking.
Designing for Flexibility and Flow
The layout has been carefully reconfigured to support multiple modes of use, including collaborative work, focused tasks, and client presentations. Rather than relying on overt zoning, the design uses subtle shifts in materiality and detailing to define different areas within the studio.
A restrained palette of natural tones and textured finishes contributes to a calm, cohesive environment, while ensuring the space avoids the rigidity often associated with commercial interiors.
A Meeting Room Anchored by Detail
At the centre of the studio is a formal meeting room, where material selection and architectural detailing are used to create a sense of intimacy and focus.
The room is enclosed in a limewashed finish, providing a soft, tactile backdrop. Intrim’s SK466 skirting, CR84 chair rail introduce depth and texture, reinforcing the room’s proportions. HR20 and HR60 half rounds create the intricate wainscoting, delivering a considered spatial experience.
These elements work together to:
• Define the scale of the room
• Introduce visual hierarchy
• Support a more refined and client-ready setting
Furniture and lighting selections complement the architectural framework, maintaining a balance between comfort and visual clarity.
Consistency Through Repetition of Detail
Across the open-plan workspace, Intrim’s LB35 lining boards in American Oak introduce warmth and texture, while maintaining a clean and consistent backdrop for daily work.
Mouldings are used selectively but consistently, reinforcing the architectural language established in the meeting room. This continuity ensures that transitions between spaces feel resolved rather than incidental.
In adjacent areas, including breakout and joinery zones, HR40 half rounds have been applied to cabinetry and door frames. This approach extends the detailing beyond wall surfaces, helping to visually connect different functional areas of the studio.
A Considered Approach to Workplace Design
The completed studio demonstrates how commercial interiors can move beyond standardised finishes to create environments that feel both purposeful and engaging.
Through a combination of spatial planning, material layering, and consistent detailing, the project delivers a workplace that supports creative work while maintaining a strong, unified identity.
Project Details
Design: Kate Nixon Studio
Build: iBuild
Photography: Maree Homer
Styling: Kate Nixon & Nicholas Bryan-Brown
Landscape Design: Spirit Level
Read more about this project here
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