Nissan has opened a new design studio in London that will be responsible for the development of the next generation of cars for Europe from the Japanese manufacturer.
Nissan has opened a new design studio in London that will be responsible for the development of the next generation of cars for Europe from the Japanese manufacturer.
“Design is fundamental at Nissan. Most importantly, it is a key driver behind Nissan 180, our global growth plan. This 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 chief executive of Nissan Motor Company.
Nissan Design Europe will house about 50 international designers, modellers and support staff and will play a strategically important role in Nissan’s creative network, which comprises six design studios world-wide.
The design studio features a purpose-built CAD (computer aided design) suite, a presentation room, a showroom, a number of model making machines and a ‘chill out’ zone for relaxation and the sharing of ideas. Other features include a special lighting system that recreates different types of daylight to assist designers and artists in their work.
The central London location of Paddington 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.