tom dixon's design research studio translates lighting as sculptural elements

tom dixon translates Lighting as Sculptural Elements

Specializing in lighting, furniture, and accessories, Tom Dixon‘s Design Research Studio embellishes residential, corporate and hospitality interiors. From a high-end Milanese restaurant to Herzog & de Meuron‘s luxurious penthouses at Canary Wharf, the studio blurs the lines between sculptures, décor and furnishing as unique artworks and bespoke pieces form different narratives and atmospheres adjusted to each space. 

(above) an extraordinary cast concrete staircase by AKT structural engineers and Herzog & de Meuron is paired with the new Melt Cone Fat Floor Lamp by Tom Dixon. Two sculptural elements side by side | image © Pete Navey

(banner) UNITY Stockholm: voluminous Globe Burst Chandeliers by Tom Dixon form floating sculptures over the co-working spaces with interiors by Design Research Studio

all images courtesy of Design Research Studio

Residential, Corporate & Hospitality Design

Launched in 2007 by Tom Dixon, Design Research Studio aims to work innovative projects and products with a wide variety of partners, brands, developers and entrepreneurs. Always rich in narrative, some of the projects include reimagining the modern cruise experience for Virgin Voyages, reinventing the future of hybrid living with concept brand UNITY in Switzerland, and designing The Manzoni hub/restaurant/offices in Milan. Moreover, in 2018, the brand relocated its Coal Office headquarters to London’s King’s Cross, where the space operates as an office, shop, workshop and restaurant – all under one roof.

a bespoke brass pendant was commissioned by Design Research Studio to bring harmony to the high ceiling living room space for the One Park Drive penthouses | image © Robert Rudiger

Design Research Studio furnishes the duplex apartments designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Rooted in the idea of each penthouse feeling like a consummate collector’s residence, the project involved the commissioning and making of custom-made artworks and bespoke designs. The pieces made for each space are reflective of the materials and processes that have been present across Dixon’s professional works for many years, including welded metal constructions, roughly carved or scrap wood and ceramic shape-making, transforming these into works of art. 

‘Each room has been meticulously curated – we wanted every single object to feel as if it has been made specifically for this space or that it has been carefully selected for it. It should feel personal, convincing, compelling and aspirational – we didn’t want to design a typical luxury apartment. The beautiful, fluid spaces feature high ceilings and large expanses of wall and windows and the artworks create the sense of a private gallery. But there is of course an element of practicality, with seating where you might want to enjoy the impressive views,‘ says Tom Dixon regarding the One Park Drive penthouses.

spring pendant matching the creative space in One Park Drive One Park Drive | image © Robert Rudiger

Acclaimed chef Assaf Granit meets Tom Dixon bringing together food art and design. Rich in material, style, and flavor, the restaurant of the brand’s Coal Office Headquarters becomes a space of comfort and luminosity. The idea was to deconstruct the kitchen across the three floors of the building, involving the waiters and guests to become cooks as well and essentially merging dining with design. ‘Our instinct was anchored by a single thought; to offer an active and engaged experience beyond just eating,’ explains Granit.

‘Coal Office’s concept is distinct; born from direct connection to the kitchen. A complete collaboration between design and cooking; this is an active and engaged experience beyond just eating. Chef Assaf Granit’s idea was to deconstruct the kitchen, with cooking and prepping across three floors, and with everybody involved in cooking. Each guest to Coal Office is witness to an entirely different experience – seeing it from their own unique angle or vista,’ remarks Tom.

cluster of dazzling Mirror Ball pendants brings interest above diners at the Coal Office Restaurant

The Manzoni: a theatrical backdrop and experimental space for the best of Italian food and British design. The 100-cover restaurant has been created by Design Research Studio and is located in central Milan, near Duomo. For its creation, Design Research Studio collaborated with JLK Studio to build an environment that allows visitors to live multiple atmospheres, with each room exploring its own narrative.

‘We need a place where people slow down and experience our products in a live setting. There is nothing dustier than a conventional lighting and furniture showroom. Buti with the Manzoni, people are able to experience our collections in an active context,’ says Tom.

In collaboration with concept brand UNITY, Tom Dixon reimagines the future of hybrid living with micro-housing designs launching in Sweden, Finland and Denmark. In response to the original brief, Tom Dixon and Helene Bangsbo Andersen, of Design Research Studio, examined the demands within the housing arena, where the Studio realized there was an urgent need to respond to contemporary needs. Through their approach to designing UNITY’s compact living space and communal areas, Design Research Studio’s aim was to provide democratic housing that fostered
a strong sense of community, multi-purpose usage and premium interiors. 

‘Young professionals and students deserve quality design and future thinking. Lower cost does not necessarily mean less design value. UNITY is a response to this challenge. A key element in our thinking is that the future is going to have to become more cooperative. For us to be able to achieve higher specifications, sharing becomes the solution. The project is a step towards addressing some of these fundamental issues or capturing the opportunity to re-think affordable housing with top quality services, spaces planning, and community building,’ says Tom Dixon.

UNITY Stockholm: voluminous Globe Burst Chandeliers by Tom Dixon form floating sculptures over the co-working spaces with interiors by Design

Beyond the boardroom and hotel bedroom and out on the open sea. The Studio takes up on a cruise experience – more specifically the ship Scarlet Lady of Virgin Voyages. Through theatrical settings, VIP rooftops, elevated pools, restaurants and bars, a bold narrative crosses the waters. Some of the products include pendant lighting, fixtures, curved lounger centers, round tables, in vibrant or natural colors that transform the spaces in an almost utopian floating craft. 

‘I quite like coming at something from a completely different angle and presumably there is a method to that madness. If you’re going to be disruptive then maybe you shouldn’t know that much about how a cruise line is currently operated,’ remarks Tom.

a sea of Melt surface lights by Ton Dixon creates a dramatic entrance to one of the restaurants at Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Cruise Ship, designed by Design Research Studio

Coal Office is a restaurant collaboration between acclaimed chef Assaf Granit and Tom Dixon, created by Design Research Studio

a bespoke brass pendant hangs above stacked steel coffee tables, all by JLK Design Studio for One Park Drive | image © Robert Rudiger

the matching golden hues of the Mirror Ball ceiling lights and the Melt surface lights, both by Tom Dixon, brings the right mix of harmony and energy for diners at The Manzoni restaurant in Milan

a totemic limited-edition Stack floor light by Design Research Studio greets visitors at the entrance of One Park Drive | image © Robert Rudiger

a single Globe Cone Slim floor light in opalescent finish illuminates a corner of The Manzoni restaurant in Milan.

project info:

designer: Tom Dixon | @tomdixonstudio

brand: Research Design Studio | @designresearchstudio

case studies: One Park Drive; The Manzoni; Coal Office; UNITY; Virgin Voyages