What Universal Design Studio does

Universal Design Studio is a London-headquartered architecture, interior design and creative strategy practice founded in 2001 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. The studio operates two studios — London (3rd Floor, 1 St John's Lane, EC1M 4BL) and New York (72 Spring St, 4th Floor) — and is part of the AKQA Group within WPP. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees.

The studio delivers three core service lines: Architecture, Interior Design and Creative Strategy, working across hospitality, retail, cultural, technology, temporary installation and commercial workspace sectors. Notable projects include the IBM Q System One (2019) and Q System Two (2023) quantum computing enclosures designed with IBM, Ace Hotel Shoreditch (London's first international outpost for Ace Hotel), Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange, At Six Hotel Stockholm for Nordic Hotels & Resorts, 100 Liverpool Street for British Land (RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist), Mulberry Bond Street (first BREEAM 'Excellent' rating on Bond Street), Stella McCartney flagships, and the H&M Looop sustainable-fashion concept (Cannes Lions Design Grand Prix). Design delivery is multidisciplinary — interiors, architecture, industrial design and furniture — and emphasises craft, materiality and a deep network of artisan partners (Nocturne Workshop, Benchmark, Michael Ruh Studio, Dovecot Studio, Max Lamb, MYB Scotland, Lubna Chowdhary, among others).

The revenue model is professional services fees on custom, quote-based engagements. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by reputation, referrals, and collaborative relationships with global brands rather than volume marketing; clients are reached directly via a dedicated newbusiness inbox. Since 2021 the studio has shared its Clerkenwell workspace with sister studio Map Project Office and Made Thought, forming a multidisciplinary collective that enables larger, more complex commissions. Universal Design Studio has no external funding rounds, no acquisitions, and no disclosed revenue figures in available materials.

Name

Universal Design Studio

Legal name

Universal Design Studio

Website

https://universaldesignstudio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Universal Design Studio is a London- and New York-based architecture, interior design and creative strategy practice founded in 2001 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, serving enterprise clients in hospitality, retail, cultural, technology and commercial real estate under the AKQA Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture & Interior Design Services

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural Services (54131), Industrial Design Services (54142)

akta.pro primary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA), Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)

Keywords

• Architecture design services
• Interior design practice
• Multidisciplinary design studio
• Creative strategy consulting
• Spatial design services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Fees for architecture, interior design, and creative strategy services delivered to global brands and organisations across hospitality, retail, cultural, and corporate sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Universal Design Studio is a multidisciplinary architecture and interior design practice offering three core service lines: Architecture Services, Interior Design, and Creative Strategy. The studio delivers custom, craft-led spatial design and creative strategy engagements for leading global brands and organisations across hospitality, retail, cultural, corporate, and technology sectors. Projects are conceived end-to-end, often involving prototyping with makers and artisans to create distinctive physical environments that express brand identity.

Product overview

Universal Design Studio is an architecture and interior design practice offering three core service lines: Architecture Services, Interior Design, and Creative Strategy. The studio operates across multiple sectors including cultural, hospitality, retail, tech, temporary installations, and workspace environments. Their notable projects include landmark collaborations with IBM on quantum computing systems (Q System One and System Two), major hospitality projects (Ace Hotel Shoreditch, Fortnum & Mason, At Six), luxury retail (Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Georg Jensen), cultural exhibitions (Wellcome Collection, British Library, Science Museum), and commercial workspaces (100 Liverpool Street, Norton Folgate). The practice emphasizes craft, materiality, and human-centered design, often collaborating with local makers and artisans. Founded in 2001 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, the studio is headquartered in London and New York and is part of the AKQA Group/WPP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Full-service architecture practice designing buildings and structural spaces from concept through construction, with a focus on human-centred design, cultural relevance, and integration with interior, industrial, and furniture design disciplines. Delivered to global brands, cultural institutions, and commercial real estate clients.
• Interior Design Interior design services creating immersive, crafted spaces across hospitality, retail, cultural, workspace, and technology sectors, often produced in collaboration with makers and artisans to deliver distinctive, sensorial environments for global brand clients.
• Creative Strategy Strategic design consulting that shapes the vision, narrative, and design language for client projects, helping global brands define archetypes for new technologies and spaces before they are physically realised.

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Map Project OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister studio within the collective. Collaborated on IBM quantum computing projects including System One and System Two, and Google Web Lab. Shared multidisciplinary design approach spanning architecture, industrial design and spatial design.
• Made ThoughtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the collective studio space in Clerkenwell in 2021 alongside Map Project Office.
• TellartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational design consultancy specialising in advanced product-service invention and experiential marketing. Collaborated on Google Web Lab project, bringing expertise in electronic and robotic installations.
• Google Creative LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle's creative team collaborated on Web Lab project at Science Museum, creating physical and digital interaction experiences.
• GoppioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMilanese manufacturer of specialist glass display cases. Realised the outer vitrine concept for IBM Q System One with 3 metre square glass panels.
• Speirs & MajorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting designers collaborated on Fortnum & Mason Royal Exchange canopy, ensuring the open framework would respond to lighting effects.
• Speirs & MajorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned bespoke lighting installation at 100 Liverpool Street atrium.
• Hopkins ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm for 100 Liverpool Street building. Universal designed entrances and lobby areas within their development.
• Nocturne Workshop / Simon DaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManchester-based studio of craftspeople. Collaborated on Fortnum & Mason, Ace Hotel, San Carlo Bottega champagne bar. Creates handcrafted lighting pieces.
• BenchmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK furniture maker founded by Sean Sutcliffe and Terence Conran. Decade-long collaboration including Ace Hotel communal table.
• Michael Ruh StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon glassware studio creating pieces for global luxury brands. Collaborated on Fortnum & Mason custom light fixtures.
• Max LambcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon designer handmade bespoke bar stools and welded lead bar cladding for Ace Hotel Zinc Bar.
• Dovecot StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned tapestry studio in Edinburgh established 1912. Created hand woven textiles for Ace Hotel London under art direction of Atelier Ace.
• MYB ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly producer in world manufacturing patterned lace with original Nottingham Lace Looms. Commissioned lace for Ace Hotel cafe.
• Lara PainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning textile artist based in South East London. Creates handcrafted textiles inspired by placemaking and visual storytelling.
• Lubna ChowdharycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCeramicist bridging sculpture, architecture and craft. Created 'Interstice' ceramic panels for 100 Liverpool Street north lobby.
• Lies-Marie HoffmanncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Stockholm designer and maker. Hand-hewn four-metre communal table from single elm tree for At Six hotel wine bar.
• RubnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish manufacturer of minimal brushed-brass wall lights for At Six hotel dining rooms.
• Atelier AretiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated sculptural pendants for At Six hotel Lounge Bar.
• Carina Seth AndersonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarmdo-based glass-maker. Created bespoke hand-blown sculptural glass pieces for At Six hotel reception.
• Random Products / Ollie HelpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrighton-based manufacturer. Created Fortnum & Mason canopy - nickel-plated curved metal strands hand-formed over custom jigs.
• Studio RosominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish design duo. Created 'Palace Chandelier' for Historic Royal Palaces installation at Hampton Court Palace.
• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-renowned medical research facility. Hosts IBM Q System One - first out-of-lab commercial quantum computer dedicated to healthcare research.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Pentagram: Multidisciplinary design consultancy operating across graphic, brand, and environmental design with partner-led model. Comparable in boutique premium positioning and multidisciplinary craft-led ethos, though more weighted toward graphic/brand identity.
• IDEO: Globally recognized design consultancy spanning product, service, and experience design with a human-centered methodology. Comparable in multidisciplinary, craft-leaning creative consulting model and premium enterprise client base, though broader in scope.
• Foster + Partners: One of the world's largest and most established architecture practices, headquartered in London with deep global reach. While significantly larger, it competes for the same premium cultural, commercial, and hospitality architecture commissions Universal targets.
• Gensler: The world's largest design and architecture firm with deep interior design practice competing for premium commercial and hospitality interiors. A scaled incumbent that competes on enterprise workplace and retail interior briefs Universal also targets.

Direct peers

• Heatherwick Studio: London-based multidisciplinary design studio founded in 1994, working across architecture, interiors, and product design with a craft-led, human-centered approach. Directly comparable in size, sector mix, premium positioning, and London-base craft-maker model.
• Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG): Globally recognized architecture and design practice led by a high-profile founder, working across cultural, commercial, and tech sectors. Comparable profile: founder-led brand, premium pricing, interdisciplinary design, and high-profile marquee clients (Google, Google).
• Map Project Office: Sister studio within Universal's collective, specializing in industrial design, furniture, and spatial design. Operates from the same Clerkenwell studio and collaborates on joint projects (IBM Q System), making it the closest peer in operating model and creative DNA.
• David Chipperfield Architects: Award-winning London-based architecture practice operating across cultural, residential, and commercial sectors with a strong material-driven, craft-led approach. Similar profile in award recognition (Stirling Prize winner), client calibre, and studio scale.
• Tom Dixon Studio: London-based design brand and studio operating across furniture, lighting, and interior design with strong craft and maker network. Comparable in scale, London base, craft-led approach, and integration of objects, furniture, and interiors.
• Snøhetta: Multidisciplinary design and architecture practice known for cultural, hospitality, and public-realm projects with a craft and materiality emphasis. Directly comparable in studio ethos, project types (libraries, cultural venues, hospitality), and reputation-driven business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/universal-design-studio
• Instagraminstagram.com/universaldesignstudio
• Xx.com/UDSTweets

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Universal Design Studio