Design, strategy and insights
for retail and hospitality
brand interiors.
Welcome to T Studio.
T Studio is an interior architecture and design studio based in Auckland. We create spaces that reflect your brand, customer and user needs, developing engaging concept narratives, integrating functionality and design aesthetics to create impactful interiors.
Collaborative, concept driven design
We like to have conversations early with brands to understand their values, operational model and user needs, sparking the momentum to create ideas for spaces that connect with customers through thoughtful strategy, storytelling and design. We are focussed on the core idea, ensuring it translates successfully to the final built solution. Whether it is a retail store, hospitality destination, workspace or multi-use environment, we bring clarity and commercial insight to every stage of the process.
Experiences that resonate
Retail continues to evolve. While the product remains king at the heart of the offer, customers now expect richer, more memorable experiences. Today’s best stores surprise and delight through storytelling, data-driven technology, and a strong sense of personality. We help client teams embrace this shift with designs that are functional, focused and emotionally engaging.
Creative partnerships that deliver
We are looking to work with clients and operators who recognise that distinctive concepts drive commercial success and create lasting value. We enjoy collaborating with architecture and design studios, consultants and specialists to make great things happen. It’s not about us, it’s about delivering outcomes that add value and are meaningful, efficient, crafted, memorable and built for longevity.
We stay connected to global design innovation, sharing insights that inspire our work, our clients and the wider design community.
Let’s create something exceptional.
T Studio’s story began in London, creating flagship retail interiors for iconic international brands through leading design studios. That foundation expanded into a business partnership with a shift into both retail and hospitality design for café chains, bars and casual dining concepts.
T Studio is led by Tom Malem, with over 25 years of global design experience working with award-winning agencies including Tangerine, Conran Design Group, CADA, and Fitch, and in Aotearoa New Zealand with Designworks and Spaceworks Interior Architecture, bringing a diverse, cross-cultural perspective to every project.
''At T Studio we believe that great design should be purposeful, simple, timeless, and built to last. Supporting local materials and craft whenever possible, whether launching something new or refreshing an existing space''.
Why retail and hospitality?
Because these are the social and experience spaces where people meet, explore and enrich their lives. They are where brands become physically tangible and communities connect.
Other interests?
Tom’s favourite thing is hitting the road with his family in their Kombi van, camping near beaches and local coffee shops, discovering new places, and planning the next adventure.
Tom Malem, Director.
Services.
Process and stages
Strategy and insights
Market : User and brand analysis
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Interrogate the brief
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Client services, workshops and coordination
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Establish the aims and goals
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Understand the client brand and operation
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Customer journey analysis
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Context and setting
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Differentiation and opportunities
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Strategy and approach
Design and development
Creative : Concept vision and innovation
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Concept routes and narrative descriptions
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Master-planning, zonal layouts
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Circulation and planning principles
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Creative problem solving
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Sketch ideas and innovation
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Customer experience
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Plans, elevations, 3D model visualisations
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Presentation and documentation
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Material, finishes and mood boards
Implementation
Detail : Design and delivery
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Detailed CAD plans and elevations
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Technical details for construction
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Furniture, finishes and equipment schedules
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Project management and site meetings
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Tender coordination
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Cost analysis if required
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Council approval management
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Design guidelines documentation for roll-out
Brands weʼve worked with…
