Nissan opens European Design Centre in London

Nissan Design Europe will lead the development of the next generation of Nissan cars in Europe and beyond. The studio will be home to around 50 international designers, modellers and support staff and will play a strategically important role in Nissan’s creative network which comprises six design studios worldwide.

"Design is fundamental at Nissan. Most importantly it is a key driver behind 'Nissan 180', our global growth plan. Today’s event is the demonstration of the value we attribute to design as we continue to create and launch exciting and attractive cars specially designed with European customers in mind," said Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO, Nissan Motor Company.

Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Head of Design, Nissan Motor Company said: "Today’s opening fully demonstrates our commitment to design and innovation in the motor industry. The location that we have chosen is ideal, as it will allow our design teams a unique space within which to explore, define and create their ideas."

The central London location in the rapidly developing area of the Paddington Basin was chosen because of its multi-cultural backdrop and the access it provides to important and influential sources in contemporary art, architecture, fashion and design movements.

The studio is housed in The Rotunda, a former British Rail maintenance depot built in the 1960s which had fallen into disrepair and been unused since the 1980s. The site was selected specifically for its spacious interior which allowed Nissan to transform the building into a tailor-made urban design space.

The complex, designed by architect Paul Hamilton and completed in 1969, is today recognised as a classic piece of modernist architecture. Hamilton recieved the Architectural Design Project Award in 1966 and an award from the British Concrete Society in 1969. At the time, the complex was heralded as a prime example of urban architecture, being both functional and aesthetic, and fitting perfectly with its natural built-up environment.

Durng the 1980's the Rotunda fell in to disrepair, attracting a variety of graffiti artists, and becoming a venue for rave parties. In 1994, the building obtained an English heritage grade II star listing, which underlies its importance as a landmark design of the post-war British Modern Movement.

In Spring 2002 Nissan Design Europe ended months of searching for a talior-made design studio. The spacious environment immediately offered scope for the architects Tate and Hindle to consider bold and adventurous use of the former maintenance depot.

The transformation of the Rotunda began in Autumn 2002. Nissan Design Europe wanted to give new value and meaning to the building's bold curvaceous structural design and set out to create an inspiring workplace for its teams, that is based on the Japanese concept of 'wa', meaning harmony. The result is a highly contemorary and inspiring workplace in which existing building elements sit alonside and contrast the new building features.

Nissan Design Europe set out to ensure that many facets of the Rotunda's history were preserved. Expressions left by graffiti artists that include tag writing and Gaudi-esque paintings have been retained as part of the building's interior features.

The studio features three floor levels. The open-plan ground floor accomodates full-size modelling plates, a Tarus milling machine, and a showroom area. The upper levels include a mezzanine floor covering more than half the building footprint and providing air-conditioned design studio space housing design team workstations.

The studio also includes a new entrance area, administration offices, presentation room, a showroom and a 'chill out' zone for teams to share ideas and relax in informal surroundings. Other features include a special lighting system that recreates different types of daylight to assist designers in their work.