Community Spotlight: Shimoda Design Group
Inside the Shimoda Design Group office, the pace of the outside world seems very slow. Gabe and Sri click away as a playlist on Spotify titled “Zen playlist” hums alongside. Sue and Joey, founders of Shimoda Design Group, enter the office from their walk and set their belongings down as Bowie, the office dog, bobs next to them. Bowie makes his rounds, sauntering from desk to desk, checking in on the team before pausing for a drink of water after his midday walk.
Sue sits down with Sri to discuss updates on the project they are working on. Wooden tiles scatter the table and mismatched patches of carpet litter the floor. It’s for a project they are working on. They’ll collaborate with their clients to choose the best color for an interior office design in Marina Del Rey.
Shimoda Design Group is an Architecture and Interiors studio based in the Arts District. They have designed buildings and rooms all around the neighborhood and the country, and are now working on projects in New York City and Glendale.
”We meet all sorts of interesting clients and the creative process is very collaborative,” Sue explains.
“It’s that energy and collaboration that brings together a great project. It really is the most rewarding aspect of doing this work. That’s why being in the arts community with people who focus on creative work seems to be the kind of people we work well with.”
Sue and Joey are strong advocates of the live-work lifestyle in the Arts District. Their office is on the first floor and their apartment is on the floor above. This seamless way of living and working was a major reason they chose to base Shimoda Design here.
“One of the most exciting things about being able to do the live-work lifestyle,” Joey says. “It’s nice to feel like you’re living a life that’s not just worktime and playtime. It’s all mixed together and that’s a real privilege. So much of our best work has been done with artists.”
Sue, Joey, and Bowie’s favorite thing to do in the neighborhood is walk through the garden at Hauser & Wirth’s and grabbing a drink at Manuela, which they consider the neighborhood’s watering hole.
