Studio Miko Office
Studio Miko wanted to transform their existing office in Norwich into a workspace that better reflected their creative culture and way of working. Designed to support both focused work and collaboration, the 200sqm office reimagines the traditional open-plan workplace as a calm, flexible and characterful environment that balances productivity with social interaction through thoughtful zoning, warm materials and a carefully considered lighting strategy. Delivered across an eight-week design period and six-week on-site programme, the project enhances day-to-day working life by creating a workspace tailored to the needs of the team.
This project reimagined a tired open-plan office with limited staff facilities into a more adaptable and welcoming workspace. As the office is entirely open plan, the design needed to preserve a sense of openness and natural flow while also providing areas for privacy and focused work.
The new layout introduces clearly defined zones for different activities, including dedicated desk areas, meeting rooms, breakout spaces and a communal kitchen. Folding walls allow the workspace to be reconfigured throughout the day, creating enclosed areas for meetings or concentrated work when required while maintaining the collaborative feel of the wider office.
Standing-height collaboration tables positioned near the kitchen create an informal transition between work and social spaces, offering the Studio Miko team a casual setting to gather for quick discussions away from their desks.
Creating a calm and inviting atmosphere
The colour palette draws on earthy tones with subtle pops of colour to reflect Studio Miko’s relaxed and creative culture.Rather than relying heavily on branding, personality is introduced through artwork, shelving, books and decorative objects that give the office a more lived-in and personal feel.
The building’s low ceilings and limited natural light presented a key design challenge, as surrounding buildings restricted daylight into the space. To counter this, a light and natural colour palette was used throughout the main office, complemented by a layered lighting scheme incorporating lamps and accent lighting. This approach reduces reliance on overhead lighting and creates a softer, more intimate atmosphere that feels warm and comfortable throughout the day.
“We created a space plan that worked for their team by separating workspaces from the collaboration areas. We also introduced colour and light into the space to allow them to work in a way that suited them best.”
Gina, Interior Designer
The kitchen area is warm and welcoming, encouraging the Studio Miko team to use the space naturally.
Colour plays an important role in defining each area of the office. The main workspace is kept light and neutral to maximise brightness, while the kitchen introduces richer greens, terracotta tiles, textured surfaces and sculptural lighting to create a welcoming, residential feel. The kitchen moves away from a traditional cafeteria aesthetic and instead feels more like a shared domestic space, encouraging staff and visitors to relax, socialise and use the communal areas more naturally.
Burnt orange acoustic wall panels in the meeting room establish a distinct visual identity while improving privacy and sound control. Terracotta-painted columns throughout the office highlight the building’s original features and complement the existing timber flooring, reinforcing the warm, grounded material palette.
A darker-toned breakout area with soft furnishings creates a cosy space that feels intentionally separate from the main workspace. This distinction helps staff mentally switch between focused work and downtime, supporting both productivity and wellbeing.
By balancing openness with privacy, and combining thoughtful zoning with warm materials, layered lighting and residential design influences, the Studio Miko office transforms what could have felt like a cold and outdated building into a welcoming and highly functional workspace tailored to the needs of the team.
