STUDIO Y

What STUDIO Y does

Studio Y is a Melbourne-based interior design consultancy founded in 2012 by Yaron Kanor, specialising in experiential spatial design for the hospitality, retail, and commercial sectors. The firm operates as a B2B professional services studio targeting enterprise and mid-market clients, with a portfolio spanning bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, retail flagships, shopping-centre tenancies, and commercial offices. Core delivery combines concept design, space planning, finish selection, and BIM-managed project execution, often delivered in collaboration with a curated network of branding studios, joiners, lighting specialists, and artists (e.g., Confetti Studio, Mood Workshop, Ambience, Ilanel, Drez). The team comprises approximately seven people drawn from more than ten nationalities, with senior design and BIM-management capacity sitting alongside a creative director whose prior hospitality ownership informs operational design choices.

The company generates revenue primarily through project-based design fees on bespoke commissions, with disclosed client project values ranging from roughly $1M (Moreton Island House) to $6M (Moon Dog Doglands). Pricing is not publicly disclosed but follows multi-year contract cadences tied to construction timelines. A secondary, smaller revenue stream comes from the Y Shop, a direct-to-consumer merchandise line (apparel and accessories priced $25-$80 AUD). Go-to-market is sales-led and largely referral-driven, relying on direct enterprise engagement, architect and branding-studio partnerships, and a portfolio website supported by Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Geographic reach is concentrated in Victoria and Queensland (Australia), with one disclosed cross-border residential project in Foshan, China.

Notable customer engagements span multi-store chain rollouts (Nando's Australia: 8 stores since 2020; Mooii: 12 locations since 2021; Grill'd multiple outlets), flagship single-site commissions (Starward Distillery & Bar, Milligram Melbourne Central, Brick Lane Market QVM, BrewDog Pentridge), and long-tenure group relationships (The Speakeasy Group: nine years, six projects; Delia Group: multiple venues). Studio Y is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds or external investors, and operates from a heritage-listed office at 146 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. It has accumulated 60+ local and international awards since founding, including IDEA shortlistings, Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, and multiple Melbourne Design Awards golds and silvers through 2024.

Name

STUDIO Y

Legal name

Studio Y

Website

https://studioy.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Studio Y is a Melbourne-founded interior design consultancy (est. 2012) specialising in hospitality, retail, and commercial spaces for enterprise clients including Nando's, Grill'd, Mooii, Starward Whisky, and Moon Dog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

St Kilda

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Interior Design Services: Studio Y generates revenue through interior design project fees for hospitality venues (bars, restaurants, breweries), retail stores, and commercial spaces. Projects range from small retail fit-outs to large-scale hospitality venues like the 1200-seat Moon Dog Doglands.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Studio Y is an award-winning interior design consultancy that designs experiential spaces for hospitality venues (bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, hotels), retail stores, commercial offices, and residential homes. The firm delivers full-scope services from concept design and space planning through finish selection and project completion, complemented by branded merchandise sold through the Y Shop.

Product overview

Studio Y is an award-winning interior design agency based in Melbourne that specializes in hospitality, retail, and commercial interior design. Founded in 2012, the company operates two main offerings: (1) comprehensive interior design services spanning hospitality venues (bars, restaurants, breweries, hotels), retail spaces, commercial offices, and residential homes; and (2) Y Shop, a merchandise line featuring branded apparel and accessories. The company is known for creating experiential spaces that blend brand storytelling with functional design, working with clients across Australia's hospitality and retail sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hospitality Interior Design Services Full-scope interior design services for hospitality venues including bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, hotels, pubs, and clubs. Services span concept design, space planning, finish selection, and full project delivery for enterprise and mid-market hospitality operators across Australia.
• Retail Interior Design Services Interior design services for retail spaces including flagship stores, shopping centre tenancies, and boutique shops. Focuses on experiential retail environments that encourage customer dwell time and showcase merchandise effectively for retail brands and chains.
• Commercial and Office Design Services Commercial interior design for office spaces, corporate headquarters, and public-facing environments, evidenced by projects including Melbourne Airport terminal work and the Ambience Lighting office.
• Residential Interior Design Services Bespoke residential interior design services for private homes, including contemporary, Mediterranean, and Asian-influenced residences such as Mirage House, MC House, Moreton Island House, and Dadun Residence.
• Y Shop Merchandise

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 million+ people have experienced Y spaces
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Confetti StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning design studio specializing in branding. Studio Y's symbiotic partnership with Confetti Studio creates a relationship where space and brand emerge together. Confetti Studio designed Studio Y's own brand identity which was translated into their physical office space.
• DrezcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned Melbourne street artist who has collaborated on multiple projects including technicolour feature beer taps at Bridge Road Brewers Brunswick and custom murals at Royal Stacks Emporium.
• Scanlan & MakersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist painter Clare Scanlan creates bespoke wall treatments with texture, shadow and depth. Her work has transformed multiple Studio Y projects including their own office space.
• Mood WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelbourne-based joinery and furniture design studio led by Craig Shanahan. Created the ingenious wooden fit-out at Brick Lane Market and Studio Y's custom handcrafted boardroom table.
• AmbiencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting specialists who have illuminated dozens of Studio Y venues. Ambience works on projects at their state-of-the-art onsite production facilities. Studio Y designed Ambience's own office in Bundoora.
• IlanelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting artisans who design bespoke creations for Studio Y projects including the intergalactic Starward Whisky logo pendant light at Starward Distillery & Bar and handsewn pendant lights at The Fifth Province.
• Ryan SauerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning and ARIA-nominated music video director based in Melbourne. Provides professional production and creative direction to Studio Y projects.
• PlaceFormSpacecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture studio that Studio Y collaborates with on projects including Fox Friday Richmond taproom, Mirage House, and Moreton Island House.
• JointlyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction/project management partner for venues including Bridge Road Brewers and Fox Friday Richmond.
• MIC ProjectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder/construction partner for projects including Milligram Melbourne Central and The Fifth Province (custom cabinetry).

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hassell: Major Australian architecture and interior design firm with global operations. Overlaps with Studio Y in hospitality and commercial interiors but operates at much larger scale across broader sectors.
• Yabu Pushelberg: Global luxury design firm with deep hospitality and hotel interiors portfolio. Comparable to Studio Y in hospitality focus but operating at significantly larger scale and international luxury tier.
• Woods Bagot: Australian-founded global architecture and design firm. Competes with Studio Y on hospitality interiors but at significantly larger scale and broader sector coverage including commercial and aviation.

Direct peers

• Studio Tate: Melbourne-based design studio focused on hospitality, retail, and residential interiors. Directly comparable to Studio Y in city, scale, and client types, particularly Australian food and beverage venues.
• Arent & Pyke: Sydney-based interior design studio with hospitality and residential focus. Comparable to Studio Y in design-led approach to experiential spaces and Australian premium client base.
• Golden: Australian design studio with hospitality and retail interior projects. Comparable to Studio Y in boutique size, Australian geographic focus, and hospitality-led portfolio.
• Mim Design: Melbourne interior design practice with a hospitality and retail portfolio. Comparable to Studio Y in geographic base, sector mix, and project scale across Australian commercial interiors.
• AvroKO: New York-based hospitality design firm specializing in restaurants, bars, and hotels. Comparable to Studio Y in hospitality-centric specialization and award-winning experiential design approach.
• Biasol: Melbourne-based interior design studio with a strong hospitality and restaurant focus. Comparable to Studio Y in size, geography, and design philosophy centered on experiential hospitality spaces for Australian clients.
• Hecker Guthrie: Well-known Australian interior design firm with significant hospitality, retail, and residential work. Comparable to Studio Y in sector focus and Australian market presence, though operating at larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Studio_Y.
• Facebookfacebook.com/Studioyk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studioy
• Instagraminstagram.com/studioy.com.au

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 STUDIO Y