Grounded in Connection: Studio 93 Brings a Human Touch to Northern Energy’s New HQ

At Design Insider, we love discovering studios that balance creativity, collaboration, and genuine care for the people who use the spaces they design, and we’re thrilled to welcome Studio 93 to our platform for the very first time!

In this feature, we sit down with Jake Harris, Senior Interior Designer at Studio 93, to explore how the studio’s thoughtful and people-focused approach is shaping commercial interiors across workplace, hospitality, and retail sectors. With an emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and creating spaces that feel as good as they look, Studio 93 brings a refreshing balance of pace, personality, and precision to every project.

Our conversation delves into the design of Northern Energy’s new headquarters on the outskirts of Harrogate, a project that beautifully embodies Studio 93’s ethos, blending warmth, adaptability, and sustainability within a high-functioning workplace. We’re excited to introduce this inspiring studio and the people behind it, starting with Jake’s reflections on what makes Studio 93 so special.

Jake Harris, Senior Interior Designer, Studio 93

Jake, to start off, could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about Studio 93, what defines the studio’s approach to design and what makes it special to you?

Hi, I’m Jake, a Senior Interior Designer at Studio 93. The business was set up by our director, Danielle Verhees, after working within Design and Build companies for her early career, so as a studio we have an understanding of pace within the construction industry and the competitive nature of these builds, but we combine these types of projects with negotiated works where we can set the pace ourselves. As a studio, we’re genuinely passionate about creating beautiful, functional spaces across the commercial sector, from workplaces to hospitality and retail. We’re big on collaboration and pride ourselves on being super client-focused. For us, it’s not just about the final design (though we love making things look amazing), it’s about the whole journey. We work closely with our clients every step of the way, making the process enjoyable, engaging, and tailored to them. We go the extra mile to ensure every experience with us stands out…just like the spaces we create.

Before we dive into the details, can you tell us which project we’ll be focusing on in today’s conversation and what made it stand out for you?

We’ll be focusing on Northern Energy, who are a local business to us, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. They approached us in October 2024, to partner with their architect, to assist with developing the interior concept for their HQ. For me, it stood out, as it was one of my first projects at Studio 93, and allowed me to share my capabilities and passion, early on in my new role. We worked closely with the team at Northern Energy and SPX Architects, to create a new 10,000sq ft workspace over which sits across two floors, with adjoining warehouses.

The client’s brief focused on creating a workplace that feels like a home from home while still performing as a high-functioning office. How did you go about balancing those two priorities in your design?

So, for us to design a workplace that feels like a home from home, it started with truly getting to know our client. Their culture, values, and the way they work. By understanding them on a deeper level, we were able to design a space that felt authentic and personal. We introduced warm finishes, soft lighting, and relaxed, residential-style furniture to bring comfort, while carefully planning the layout to support collaboration, focus, and flexibility. The result is a space that not only looks and feels great but genuinely works for the people using it.

You’ve described the concept as being inspired by the earth’s natural layers, grounded, warming, and adaptable. Can you share how that idea came to life within the space?

We wanted the design to connect people to nature in a subtle, comforting way. Inspired by the rugged textures and raw materiality of the earth layers, the design reflects the enduring and adaptable nature of the ground, where resources form, interact, and evolve over time. This is reflected in a palette of earthy tones…including rich green, rusty orange, and deep browns.

The colour palette subtly reflects the client’s branding but avoids feeling overly corporate. What guided your choices in creating a palette that feels both personal and professional?

While we incorporated the client’s brand colours (yellow and navy) we softened them and introduced additional tones inspired by natural elements like clay, stone, and sand. This helped move the palette away from a typical corporate feel and into something more layered and human. The overall atmosphere is calm, inviting, and full of quiet energy, just like nature itself.

You’ve mentioned that sensory comfort and accessibility were key design drivers, especially with neurodiversity in mind. How did this influence your approach to lighting, textures, and materials?

At Studio 93, sensory comfort, accessibility, and neuro-inclusivity aren’t just ‘buzzwords’, they’re something we always prioritise in every project. We see ourselves as responsible designers, committed to creating spaces that work for everyone. For this HQ, we carefully chose soft, adjustable lighting to reduce glare and allow users to adapt their environment to their preferences. We selected tactile fabrics and textures to add warmth and comfort, creating a calm, welcoming environment. The layout supports easy navigation and includes quiet zones for focus and relaxation. All these details combine to ensure every user feels comfortable, supported, and able to thrive.

Sustainability is clearly central to Studio 93’s ethos. Could you talk us through how you approached sourcing materials and products for this project, and how your partnership with Ecologi supports that commitment?

Sustainability is a big priority for Studio 93, and we made sure this commitment came through in every stage of the Northern Energy project and whilst it may feel like a juxtaposition for an LPG and oil company to consider sustainability, as a studio we wanted to minimise impact where we could. Wherever possible, we sourced materials and products locally to reduce environmental impact, for example, we partnered with a British manufacturer to supply much of the furniture. We also carefully selected tiles that contain recycled content, blending sustainability with style and durability. It’s about making thoughtful choices that not only look great but also support a greener future. For us, responsible design isn’t an add-on, it’s simply how we work on every project.

Ecologi are a B-Corp certified organisation and so far, we have donated to five different projects in the UK and further afield, as well as donating over 200 trees to be planted. Our most recent donations are to the ‘Restoring Wildflowers, Wetlands and Wildlife’ fund, ‘Seagrass restoration and research’ fund and supporting local reforestation in the United Kingdom. Previously, we have donated to two carbon avoidance projects which are ‘Capturing waste biogas for energy in Turkey’ which will avoid 30,153 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and a wind power project in Mexico, which has educated over 1,000 children about the importance and value of nature.

Flexibility was an essential part of the brief. How did you design spaces like the ground floor breakout areas and first-floor workspaces to adapt seamlessly for different uses while maintaining acoustic and visual cohesion?

The client wanted the ground floor teapoint and breakout area to easily transform from day to night, so that they could hold evening events for staff and their families. At the heart of the space is a bespoke island surrounded by multipurpose joinery, functioning as a high poseur bar during the day and turning into a casual spot to lean on and catch up over a beer in the evening. Around this, we created semi-private pockets that keep the island as the main focus while offering cosy spaces for smaller groups of people to use.

Upstairs, the first floor needed to accommodate different departments, some noisier than others, but the client wanted to keep it open plan. So, instead of full walls, we placed the Boss Design Eden pod between the departments, providing visual breaks and helping soften sound. With ceilings over 3.5 meters tall, we added acoustic panels inspired by Yorkshire landscapes to enhance comfort and atmosphere.

Finally, looking to the future, how do you see Studio 93 evolving, and what areas of design or new directions are you most excited to explore in the years ahead?

Looking ahead, Studio 93 aims to strengthen our position as a boutique design studio known for creativity and close client collaboration. We’re excited to push further into the hospitality and education sectors, taking on projects that range from stadiums to dynamic learning environments. We love the challenge and variety this brings. Another exciting direction is expanding our work abroad, especially across Europe! We’re inspired by different cultures and can’t wait to embrace the unique design opportunities that we can offer. Overall, we want to keep growing, exploring new sectors and places, while staying true to the thoughtful, people-focused design that defines Studio 93.