Smarter Workflows at Heatherwick Studio: Tracking the Tools That Power Design

At Heatherwick Studio, design and technology go hand in hand. From concept sketches to complex 3D models, the studio relies on a wide range of digital tools and plugins to push the boundaries of architecture and design.

But with so many custom tools, extensions, and plugins in use across different teams, a challenge emerged:How do you keep track of which tools are installed, which versions people are using, and which ones really make a difference in daily practice?

The Challenge

For a studio that thrives on innovation, plugins are more than just add-ons. They are part of the creative process. Yet this diversity comes with complexity:

• Designers often install different versions of the same plugin.

• New releases can be overlooked, leading to compatibility issues.

• Without visibility, it is hard to know which tools are widely adopted and which ones sit unused.

Heatherwick Studio wanted a way to bring order to this ecosystem. The aim was not to limit creativity but to make sure the right tools were always available, up to date, and delivering value.

Our Approach

We partnered with the studio to build a plugin management and analytics platform designed around their workflow.

Instead of relying on guesswork or manual tracking, the system provides a clear picture of the tools in play across the office. It acts as:

• A central hub for distributing plugins.

• A version manager that ensures everyone is aligned.

• A data source showing usage patterns, adoption rates, and tool impact.

  
  

What It Delivers

With this platform, Heatherwick Studio can now:

• See what is installed, with a complete overview of plugins across the studio.

• Stay aligned by ensuring teams always work with the correct, most up-to-date versions.

• Learn from data, spotting which tools are essential and which could be phased out.

• Support innovation by guiding future development towards the plugins that matter most.

  
  

Why It Matters

Design technology is not just about having more tools. It is about making sure the right tools are used in the right way. By introducing visibility and structure, Heatherwick Studio has turned its plugin ecosystem into a managed resource that actively supports design instead of being a hidden variable.

For the designers, this means less time troubleshooting and more time creating. For the studio, it means data-driven decisions about where to invest in new tools and improvements.

Looking Ahead

This project is part of a wider shift in architecture: treating digital workflows with the same care and strategy as design itself. By tracking, measuring, and managing technology, studios like Heatherwick can stay ahead and ensure their tools evolve as creatively as their projects.