Maybe they're ahead of the times, the wood-effect flooring was around in their sets 20 years ago.
I think what I dislike about the BBC news studios is that they look only like a BBC news studio. They look like no place you would ever visit or see, other than a BBC news studio, and that's very unrelatable - especially on a programme like Breakfast. Compare it to Good Morning Britain which feels warm and inviting and like a sort of modern office you can imagine visiting.
To me that is one of the things I
do
like about BBC News studios - I don't think they are supposed to be relatable. Their design is so geometric and minimalist as to almost exist outside of trends or feelings about relatability, yet somehow are iconic and instantly recognizable. Even with this sparseness, they're not alienating, just functional. For a broadcaster so focused on neutrality and not letting presentation get in the way of content, this is a good thing. The NBH studios are all 7 years old but have aged well - much better than the revolving door of what, 3 distinct studio styles from 1999-2006?