Workplace Design: Give us Float Studio’s 90-second elevator pitch?
Float Studio: We’re a multidisciplinary full-service design studio in New York that creates spaces, products, and interior identities for workplaces, commercial spaces, hospitality, and retail.
How did you two meet? What did you want to create with Float Studio?
FS: We first crossed paths back in college during different chapters of our lives but things didn’t truly take off until we reconnected after graduate school. By then, we were both seeing the same gaps in the industry. Our first clients were companies that felt like their specific needs weren’t being considered and that their culture—so critical to their identity as a small group—was absent in their spaces. We saw an opportunity to change that.
What did you wish you knew then that you know now? Or is ignorance bliss?
FS: Ignorance is definitely bliss. It gave us the courage to stumble into some of our best learning moments. Looking back, it emboldened us to take some chances and risks that pushed our firm forward in ways we might not have if we’d been more seasoned. Now, we’ve matured and become more intentional about what comes next.
How do you work well together? What are each other’s strengths and weaknesses?
FS: We genuinely care about each other as people. There’s a deep mutual respect that underlies everything we do. I think what makes our collaboration work so well is that we’re both really mindful in how we communicate—neither of us brings ego or volatility into the room. We trust each other’s opinions. Our design sensibilities are quite different, but that’s actually one of our biggest strengths. That difference in perspective pushes us to create work that feels more unexpected. We don’t approach projects with one rigid aesthetic, which allows us to be more fluid to the needs of the brands or clients we’re working with. It’s especially helpful when we hit a wall or come up against a problem. Instead of getting stuck, we come together, talk it through, and find a solution neither of us would’ve arrived at alone.
What was your breakout project? What was it and why?
FS: Our breakout project was designing the Casper headquarters in New York. At the time, it was the most high-profile project we’d taken on and also the most comprehensive in terms of scope. We had the rare opportunity to design not only how it looked but also how it worked (the overall layout and functionality). The nap pods definitely made the rounds on Pinterest. It’s always fun when a detail like that takes on a life of its own.
Has there been a recent project you recently completed that you are proud of? Tell us what it is and what you created.
FS: We just finished a project with a financial services firm that we’ve had the pleasure of working with before. They’re longtime clients so this latest collaboration felt full-circle. It’s a relationship that’s grown organically over time. We’ve learned what matters to them and their trust in us has opened the door to bolder design choices.
Is there an upcoming project that you are excited about? Tell us what it is and what you created.
FS: We’re in the final stages of a multi-year project for a financial services firm at the Boston Seaport. It’s a beautiful 600,000-square-foot space that’s challenged us to apply our design thinking at a whole new scale.
Tell us about your office culture. How do you continue to grow that with work from home?
FS: Repeat clients like Food52 and Kaplan have been a huge part of our growth and our strong relationships have allowed us to evolve with each new space we create together. Growth for us has been about the progression of our projects and the way our team continues to take on new roles within them.
Our office culture is friendly and warm. Many of our team members have been with us for years and really understand our mission. We’re in the office 3 days a week and we’re big believers in face-time both literally and figuratively. We’re very collaborative and that in-person energy is where some of our best ideas and most fun moments as a team take shape.
What is your office like? What’s on your desks?
FS: Our office is sunny and overflowing with samples. Nina’s desk is tidy with key project materials and sweet photos of her kids. Brad’s desk, on the other hand, you can’t actually see. It’s buried under a mountain of finish samples, paperwork, and design books, but it’s chaotic in a creative way.
What trends or movements in office design are you paying attention to? What does the industry need to prepare for?
FS: The companies coming to us right now aren’t just returning to the office. They’re doing it very intentionally and for them, great design isn’t optional. Lately, we’ve noticed more clients sharing AI-generated concept imagery. They’re already thinking about mood, tone, and the feeling of their space which can be a great starting point for conversation. We take those ideas and, when it makes sense, weave them into our own ideation process. The challenge with everyone pulling from the same digital reference is making sure things don’t start to look the same. AI can generate ideas, but it’s the designer’s sensibility that brings character to a space.
How do you incorporate sustainability and wellness into your workplace spaces?
FS: We prioritize the use of natural materials with minimal off-gasing and low VOCs. It’s not just about choosing things with a “sustainability story.” We try to source items that are truly sustainable both in their production and longevity. We also work closely with our clients to help them see the value in choosing pieces that will stand the test of time.
Do you have a home office? Tell us about it.
FS: Nina’s office is in her bedroom, just out of earshot from the kids. Brad’s office is at his kitchen table. But honestly, we’re both most productive in the office.
What piece of advice would you tell your younger self?
FS: You have to seize the moment when it hits. Every business has its ebbs and flows, so it’s important to ride the highs while they’re there. You never know when something unexpected, like a world event or some other curveball, might come along and throw a spanner in the works.
What has been your greatest lesson learned?
FS: People come to us not just for our design skills but for the confidence we have in our design ability. It’s about more than just knowing how to design—it’s about having conviction and giving clients the assurance that their vision is in good hands.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity