A peek inside our Brooklyn Studio
Where design happens: A studio built for collaboration and innovation
At Smart Design, we believe a well-designed physical space fosters more than just aesthetics. Our Brooklyn studio, housed within the historic walls of Building 127 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, embodies this philosophy. Built in 1904, Building 127 has a rich history—first as a shipbuilding facility. Throughout our studio, you’ll find nods to its former lives, adding character and inspiration to our creative environment. This isn’t just an office; it’s a dynamic hub for creativity, collaboration, and innovation. It’s a space that empowers how we work and benefits both our team and our valued clients.
Inspired by the past, designed for today's needs
Step into our studio, and you’ll find a space tailored to support the dynamic needs of our teams and clients. The soaring 50-foot ceilings and expansive 20,000-square-feet posed a unique challenge: creating a flexible environment for employee work, research, workshops, and client co-creation sessions. Our solution was a carefully designed “interior-urban landscape” that balances diverse uses while honoring the building’s original character.
Every studio detail was thoughtfully crafted to blend the past with present-day functionality. Rich architectural elements were preserved, like the original 1904 crane, and are paired with new design features to enhance versatility. Textured glass walls maintain transparency while offering privacy, modular meeting spaces provide flexibility, and use of timber and industrial accents are reminiscent of the building’s shipbuilding heritage. A cohesive mix of a dedicated “town square,” hot desks, casual meeting spaces, and formal conference rooms foster collaboration internally and with clients.
Interior design and furniture selection complement the modular, open floor plan including Vitra cabins for small group meetings and a mix of couches and tables that enable varied collaborative working styles. Depending on your role and project phase, the studio can provide a backdrop for focused work or communal problem solving.
Delivering innovation first-hand
Our studio was also designed to adapt to the needs of clients, which often include onsite meetings and workshops. Whether it’s an intimate brainstorming session or a large co-creation event, we ensure every team has the right setting to thrive. From cozy breakout rooms for deeper discussions to expansive shared spaces for hands-on activities, our studio fosters creativity and connection. Each area is equipped with tools and technology, whether it’s a large screen TV or rolling partitions with magnetic whiteboards, to support dynamic collaboration, making it easy to dive into idea generation together.
Creative problem-solving.
In-studio workshops.
Specialized spaces for every design challenge
Research spaces designed for deeper Insights:
Smart Design takes collaboration a step further with our unique research areas. Dedicated spaces adapt to the needs of any project, offering flexibility for both in-person and remote collaboration. With IT systems set up for seamless virtual access, clients can join remotely to observe research sessions firsthand. Whether meeting with real users in casual, comfortable environments ideal for sensitive topics like feminine care or engaging tweens in relaxed, participatory sessions, we ensure the setting is tailored to the subject matter. For other needs, our spaces can easily shift to a traditional conference room setup. These thoughtful environments help foster meaningful insights, enabling us to deliver designs that truly resonate with users.
Shaping the future of cooking from our test kitchen:
Our full-size commercial test kitchen is a vital resource for designing kitchen products. By working in a realistic environment, we can generate ideas in context, experiment with existing products, and test our own concepts in real-time. This space also transforms into co-design zones or user research labs, enabling clients to engage directly in the design process. Here, brainstorming sessions turn into hands-on exploration, where users not only discuss pain points and opportunities but also interact with our prototypes. By holding these tools in their hands and providing feedback, clients and users help make the future of cooking smarter and more intuitive.
Turning concepts into reality in our workshops:
Our workshop is a hands-on space equipped for both traditional and cutting-edge prototyping. With manual machining tools alongside a fully equipped electronics lab, CNC machines, and 3D printers, we have the flexibility to tinker, explore, and push technical boundaries. Whether understanding the mechanical feasibility of an idea or building sophisticated models, our team can prototype at any level to bring concepts to life.
Building the design community
Our studio isn’t just a workspace, it’s a center for building connections and fostering community within the design industry. With versatile, multipurpose areas, we regularly host events that bring together innovators, creators, and thought leaders. From seated panel discussions with industry experts to interactive science fairs featuring notable guests—the NASA Space and Food Challenge, for example—to even sponsoring events like the IDSA 2023 International Design’s Conference , our space is designed to inspire learning, networking, and collaboration. These events create opportunities to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge advancements, and strengthen ties with other designers and innovators.
A space for the modern creative workforce
Smart Design values a fulfilling workspace that fosters in-person collaboration. Our spacious office is designed to meet the many needs of our team, offering dedicated workstations for focused tasks, as well as areas for prototyping and group gatherings, including the ability to invite clients onsite to observe user research or co-create alongside teams.
Our space signifies our commitment not just to design excellence, but also to foster a thriving creative community within Smart Design and beyond. Our Brooklyn studio isn’t just a space; it’s a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, enabling intuitive design solutions for our clients.