Carbon Studio
Johan van Hasseltkade 205B
1031LP Amsterdam
https://www.instagram.com/carbonstudio.eu/
mail@carbon-studio.eu +31 6 22692976 Imprint
Carbon Studio
Johan van Hasseltkade 205B
1031LP Amsterdam
https://www.instagram.com/carbonstudio.eu/
mail@carbon-studio.eu +31 6 22692976 ImprintCARBON STUDIO TRIGGERS AUTONOMY
Carbon Studio is an Amsterdam-based strategic spatial design agency, operating from the premise that space should not prescribe behaviour, but enable it. We design freedom.
Triggering autonomy means listening closely to who you are and uncovering what is essential—then carefully translating your identity into powerful spatial experiences that are deeply physical, tactile, and human.
In a world increasingly absorbed by screens, materiality is an essential counterbalance. For us, materiality is not decoration, but a carrier of identity, structure, and intent. Through research and engineering—paired with originality and culturally informed design thinking—we craft environments that enable genuine human interaction and deliver expressive tactile experiences.
Founded in 2017, Carbon Studio is led by Pieter Kool, whose work ranges from large-scale international retail, workplace, and hospitality programmes to bespoke, detail-driven projects. Pieter worked at G-Star RAW from 2004 to 2017, where he later served as Global Creative Director 3D Design & Development and led the design of over 1,000 stores and shop-in-shops worldwide, as well as more than 40,000 m² of office environments and numerous trade-fair pavilions. Pieter also works as a consultant for brands and regularly delivers keynotes on spatial identity, materiality, retail, and workspace design.
Clients
Ace&Tate
Ace Agency
Bugaboo
Barts
Birkenstock
BMW
Bugaboo
Coef Men
Columbia
G-Star RAW
Le Smash Burgers
Nike
OMA - Office for Metropolitan Architecture
Secrid
Scotch & Soda
The Butcher
The Entourage Group
Timboektoe
Toni Loco Pizza
Van Moof
Vitra
Birkenstock Pop-Up at Ehrenstrasse, Cologne, Germany. The 80-sq-m temporary retail space pays homage to the company’s visual identity through materiality and use of brand iconography; materials like cork and branding details are present throughout. The space is aterialized with native Birkenstock materials only – the stuff they make their shoes with - cork is used for the furniture and the façade. The floor is cladded with Birkenstock rubber outsole sheets.
Modular, cross-shaped display tables – a symbol used for the brand’s original logo – are also made of cork. Reference to brutalist architecture, which first inspired Karl Birkenstock to create functional shoes, is made through angular forms and simple materiality. Rough concrete ceilings and walls are exposed and painted a warm taupe. Staircase-shaped shelving finished in cork provides extra display space. The bone-like pattern of the sole of the shoes is used for the two display windows and floor.
project in collaboration with: ADH Design and The Thirsty Fisherman
photography: Maarten Willemstein
