Matter is a product innovation consultancy that specialises in thoughtful and creative design. Their website gives a good feel for their approach and philosophy: https://www.matter.co.uk/studio/
Matt Wright, Creative Director & Founder of Matter, appointed Stonewood Design to undertake a redesign and fit-out of their historic premises in the City of Bath.
The design brief asked for:
“A functional, flexible and usable creative space, that acts as a canvas to elevate our work and the physical creative development process, embodying the work and philosophy of Matter.”
Built originally as a coach-works, the Matter building still retains two key entrances; one from Lansdown Mews and the other from Lansdown Road.
The existing building was not fit-for-purpose, as it did not provide Matter with the layout and flexibility that their studio required.
The design rationalised the hierachies of the internal layout to ensure efficiency and inspiration. This reflected how Matter work and play.
Due to the confidential nature of much of Matter’s conceptual work, the ability to showcase projects is not always possible. So it was essential that the architecture reflected the personality and design ethos of Matter. This would inspire new and existing clients about Matter and would convey their approach to design.
The aspirations for Matter was to create a communal design corridor which encourages a place where design based practices could gather, share ideas, display and present.
Entering into the building from Lansdown Road the coach doors fold away to reveal a double height glazed entrance which provides natural light into a deep plan ‘design corridor’, while offering subtle glimpses into the first floor studio space.
The layout of the spaces encourage a journey of discovery from the viewing windows within the toilet corridor to the secret door linking the kitchen to the first floor studio.
The new layout would be centred around a multi-purpose kitchen which would become the heart and gathering place for Matter. This would also create a sense of arrival.
Matter work closely with clients to provide cooking and product CPDs. The link between between the kitchen, design corridor and workshop was essential. These spaces are instrumental to how Matter operates and the flow and connectivity was key.
Matter also encompasses neighbouring building, Number 5, which is connected to the main studio at ground and first floor. The objective was to create additional studio space for small creative start up businesses that can share the communal facilities provided in the main studio.
It was incredibly important to Stonewood Design & to Matter that the history of the existing building be celebrated. The building has therefore been stripped back to reveal the existing steel structure, and original industrial features.
An appreciation of materials and finishes was very important to the client. The materials selected needed to be sympathetic to the original building. It was important not to design for the now, but to consider longevity of the building and the growth and progression of Matter.