Founded in 2007 in Castellón by industrial and interior designer José María Gimeno, SUMMUMSTUDIO is an interdisciplinary strategic design consultancy. Since 2021, they have also had a base in Madrid.
The studio specializes in the design and development of corporate and private projects, in the contribution of value, and in the creation and execution of differentiating projects in Interior Architecture, Industrial Design, and Branding Design. In SUMMUMSTUDIO®, the departments of Branding and Interior Architecture, despite being independent teams, function as communicating vessels, which generates a very particular approach when designing any space. Each "movement" they create in an interior design project stems from a brand strategy whose sole objective is to add value and strengthen positioning. This bilaterality also allows them to design and develop a graphic project in parallel, which focuses on communication media, signage, and creating and promoting links between space and the global brand strategy.
Their projects have earned recognition at multiple prestigious design award ceremonies, including “Coverings Best in Show” in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the 2022 “German Design Awards”; the 2025 “Winner Project /Surface Design Show London”; “Luxury Lifestyle”; the “Emporia de Arquitectura Efímera” awards (Gold Prize / Stand Design Category from 2021 to 2024); and Casadecor (Awarded Project) in 2022 and 2024, among others:
We sat down with José María Gimeno to talk about the cross-disciplinary approach behind their projects, the materials and digital tools they use, the challenges they face, and their international experience:
Interiors from Spain: How did Summumstudio come about? What do you think sets you apart and defines your work?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: Summumstudio was founded in 2007 as a strategic design consultancy with the goal of breaking down the barriers between disciplines. From the beginning, we’ve seen design as a tool for creating value and making an impact. What defines us is our ability to integrate architecture, branding, and product design into one seamless, cross-cutting vision. Each project presents an opportunity to reflect, analyze, and create something truly unique that speaks the language of both the client and the surrounding context.
Interiors from Spain: Your work spans interior architecture, industrial design, and branding. How does this creative mix influence your projects?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: This fusion is the heart of our approach. We have specialized teams in each area, but we work like communicating vessels. That cross-disciplinary mindset is key: architecture, branding, and product design constantly influence one another. It’s what allows each project to tell a clear story and speak a consistent visual language. Our process always begins with a thorough analysis phase involving all the disciplines from the outset. This approach ensures our solutions are comprehensive and purpose-driven.
Interiors from Spain: By the way, are you based in both Madrid and Castellón? What’s the reason behind that?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: Yes, we operate out of both Madrid and Castellón. This allows us to maintain direct connections to the urban and business landscapes of the capital, while staying closely linked to the ceramic industry and product design scene in Castellón. Having a strategic dual presence strengthens our capabilities and expands our reach, both nationally and internationally.
Interiors from Spain: You work on both corporate and private projects. What differences do you see between these types of clients?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: Corporate clients tend to focus more on brand positioning—on communicating their values and standing out in a competitive market. Private clients, on the other hand, are usually more emotionally invested. They’re looking for spaces that reflect their lifestyle. In both cases, we get involved from the very beginning, adapting the creative process to the client’s profile and expectations. We always ground our approach in active listening, empathy, and strategic analysis.
Interiors from Spain: You’ve won multiple international awards for “Ephemeral Architecture,” including "Best in Show" at Coverings. What challenges and best practices have you identified when creating ephemeral pavilions and stands that serve as exhibition spaces and brand ambassadors?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: Ephemeral architecture gives us the freedom to explore ideas with fewer constraints, but it also requires precision, ingenuity, and a crystal-clear narrative. The biggest challenge is making an impact within a very limited space and timeframe. To do that, we lean into emotion, surprise, and storytelling. The key is to transform the space into a sensory experience that powerfully conveys the brand’s values. It’s essential to step out of our comfort zones, take risks, and recognize that creativity can and should go hand in hand with technical rigor and functionality.
Interiors from Spain: In your product designs, you work with a wide range of materials. What is your approach to selecting materials, and how do you incorporate new developments or sustainable materials into your designs?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: The selection of materials always begins with the concept and purpose of the project. We always try to strike a balance between aesthetics, technical performance, and sustainability. Take ICON, for example, the ceramic lattice we designed for WOW Design. In that project, we decided to use recycled clays and circular economy processes. We’re especially interested in how new technology and traditional craftsmanship can coexist to create products that are not only responsible and innovative, but also rich in expressive potential.
Interiors from Spain: How do digital tools fit into your workflow and decision-making process with clients?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: Digital tools let us visualize, refine, and validate decisions from the very early stages of a project. BIM, virtual reality, and interactive models make it easier for clients to understand the space and participate in the decision-making process. For us, they’re especially useful in collaborative projects, where precision and clear communication are key. But beyond the technical side, these tools also improve the client experience and enrich the creative process.
Interiors from Spain: Which emerging trends do you think will influence architecture and interior design over the next decade, and how are you preparing for them?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: There’s a clear shift toward more human, emotional, and sustainable spaces. Biophilic design, sensory well-being, hybrid functions, and personalization will all play major roles. At our studio, we’re already embracing these ideas: we talk about “design with soul,” where aesthetics and functionality go hand in hand with emotional and environmental resonance. Our way of preparing is through constant observation, active listening, and staying flexible enough to anticipate what’s coming next.
Interiors from Spain: Tell us about your internationalization process. Have you already worked on any projects with international clients? Tell us about your experience and the challenges you’ve faced.
SUMMUMSTUDIO: Yes, we’ve been collaborating with international brands for years, especially in the ceramic sector. We develop stands for fairs such as CERSAIE, Coverings, and Cevisama, as well as working on branding and product design projects. One of the biggest challenges has been adapting our designs to very diverse cultural and technical contexts while staying true to our creative identity. To navigate that, we’ve developed a solid and flexible methodology that’s open to dialogue.
Beyond ceramics, we’ve also worked in various countries with international developers and clients in other sectors. For instance, we designed a residential development in Bali (Indonesia), a showroom in Morocco, another in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and two stores in Saudi Arabia. These experiences, beyond our national context and, in many cases, outside of the world of ceramics, have enriched us tremendously and helped us strengthen our global capabilities. Today, we see every international project as an opportunity to grow and keep learning as a studio.
Interiors from Spain: What installations and projects are you working on at the moment? Anything outside of Spain?
SUMMUMSTUDIO: As we mentioned, we’re a multidisciplinary studio. In line with our approach, we’re working on a variety of projects, including residential spaces, stores, hotels, corporate headquarters, and showrooms, both in Spain and internationally. We're also continuing to explore product design in sectors such as bathrooms, technical soundproofing, lighting, and furniture, all with a clear international vision. New initiatives are also underway in the branding area.
