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
Columbia customization event - the fun of violence.
Columbia has a strong reputation in outdoor performance wear and is very credible in this market. For the Zalando Bread & Butter Berlin B2C Event, the brand expanded its reach to the world of lifestyle as well, which brought exposure to a new audience.
The Zalando BBB was a great platform to reach a lifestyle savvy audience in Europe. With the recent resurgence of sportswear and outdoor in the fashion world, it allowed for a natural bridge to tell the rich stories and innovation of Columbia, but with a fresh modern twist.
We were briefed to come up with a brand activation that could create PR buzz for Columbia in this event. The idea had to be smart, create impact and spread-ability for a relatively humble budget. From past experiences, we knew that most brands had bigger investments with larger stands and spectacular digital experiences. So we were looking to do the opposite.
When everyone in the fair went digital, we chose to go analogue. We felt that there was something irresistible about creating a stand that people could have a hands-on visceral experience. Like going to a fun fair, no one could resist a paintball shooting range Inspired by that idea, we created and carefully engineered a fully functional catapult system that allowed participants to customize t-shirts through shooting paint.
During the fair, sure enough, it attracted a lot of attention and people started queuing up to join. Equipped with multiple GoPros attached in the shooting cage, we were able to share the experience through various social channels.
Client: Columbia
Location: Bread&Butter, Berlin, GER
project: Activation at Zalando Bread&Butter Expo. Identity, Concept, Design, Engineering
Size: 80m2 m²
Delivery: Sept 2018
Collaborators: Superlarge
Photography: Lesley Weitjes
