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Material Source is the home of materials for architects, designers and makers worldwide.

Founded by a team of creative experts, passionate about design, we’re a leading destination for discovering a wealth of products and surfaces for your projects.

21/08/2025

Bali-based Beach Club, Potato Head, and designer, Max lamb, have teamed up to craft a homeware range made entirely from locally discarded materials. The results are beautiful. Discover more: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/wasted-re-imagines-local-waste-streams-for-community-crafted-homewares/

📸 Image credit: Adrian Morris / Image credit: P**a Eka Permata [middle shot]

20/08/2025

We know that acoustics and lighting play a crucial role in supporting comfortable working environments.

To aid designers in delivering in both areas, a collaboration between Material Source Studio Partners, Zentia & Light Forms, has resulted in the creation of an entirely bespoke ceiling solution with integrated lighting - now available as part of Zentia's product portfolio, and showcased for the first time in Material Source Studio Manchester's Meeting Space One. Discover more: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/zentia-light-forms-collaborate-on-a-new-angle-for-ceiling-design/

19/08/2025

Forbo Flooring Systems Tessera Evolve+ comprises a lower carbon carpet tile collection. What does that mean to you? Donna Hannaway, head of marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems, explains: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/forbos-tessera-evolve-comprises-a-lower-carbon-carpet-tile-collection-what-does-that-mean-to-you/

18/08/2025

Thirdway’s refurbishment of One Derry Street in London's Kensington was informed by the building's "fascinating" industrial past. Discover more: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/thirdways-refurbishment-of-one-derry-street-informed-by-industrial-past/

📸 Image credit: Peter Ghobrial

15/08/2025

There are several places from which you may recognise Danny Campbell. He’s a judge on BBC Scotland’s popular Home of the Year series, a semi-pro rugby player, and founder of architectural practice, HOKO Design.

With many different “side hustles”, as Danny describes them – a common theme throughout his life – Mr Campbell is certainly a busy man. Though busyness should not be confused with inefficiency. Everything within Danny’s roster of work, especially in practice, is optimised. Most recently with the assistance of artificial intelligence.

Having met Danny at a recent Material Source Studio Scotland seminar on the topic of AI, we got chatting about how the creation and development of bespoke software is helping HOKO Design to put its customer at the heart of projects in a way like never before. Underpinned by expert guidance from Amir Noori.

In our latest interview, we caught up between filming for Home of the Year, and rugby season, to discuss in more depth his pioneering approach to delivering excellent customer experience through allowing architects to do what they do best. Read it here: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/danny-campbell-architect-presenter-founder-of-hoko-design-on-ai-optimisation-putting-homeowners-at-a-projects-heart/

📸 Tim Ainsworth

14/08/2025

With wellbeing a top priority in the post-Covid workplace, providing flexibility for people to carry out tasks in a way that's comfortable for them is crucial.

Ahrend, an international expert in the field of professional work environments, and a Partner at Material Source Studio Manchester, had this in mind when it launched the Cerene Collection.

Offering a stylish and functional solution for flexible spaces and open-plan offices, these acoustic design boxes ensure that employees can retreat in peace, and with the highest levels of comfort, without disturbing colleagues. Discover more: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/ahrends-cerene-collection-offers-tranquility-in-the-heart-of-open-plan-offices/

12/08/2025

Rooted in Clay is a research-led project that explores sustainability and placemaking in architecture through the lenses of craft, culture, and carbon.

Developed by Paola Berraca during her final year on the Architecture MSci course at The Bartlett School of Architecture, in collaboration with Morris+Company, CELLA, UCL East Community Engagement Seed Fund, Lyons & Annoot, Wienerberger, and EHSmith, the project challenges conventional metrics for sustainability by foregrounding community, biodiversity, and material provenance.

Discover more, here: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/graduate-spotlight-paola-barreca-rooted-in-clay-/

📸 Image credit: Sophie Percival

08/08/2025

Wealth management firm Evelyn Partners’ relocation of its Leeds office to the vibrant Wellington Place district was to be home to an 85-strong team.

The interior design of the space by MLA aimed to closely match the aesthetic used at the client’s head office in London, with Radii Planet combining timber elements and curved glazing to create a highly appealing set of meeting rooms and offices.

Discover more about this stunning scheme: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/radii-planet-combines-timber-and-curved-glazing-for-meeting-rooms-and-offices-at-evelyn-partners-leeds/

📸 Credit: John Kees Photography

07/08/2025

We first interviewed Peter Kerr back in 2021, after hearing him discuss on a panel the rise of technology in facilitating hybrid working.

Four-years on, and Peter - a Chartered Building Services Engineer with a love of science - has recently co-founded his own consultancy, Cameron Kerr, alongside David Cameron, offering creative problem solving to deliver "innovative and elegant design solutions".

With Peter's pioneering attitude to embracing technological advancements, it makes sense the operations at Cameron Kerr are supported by AI.

On a recent roundtable, Peter shared that his self-learning of various AI programmes and Large Language Models has led him to develop bespoke bots, which, with training, have become useful colleagues. In turn, transforming entry level roles from creators to quality controllers.

In our latest catch-up, we discussed the impact of AI, for better and worse in the engineering sector, while surmising how it may be used on a wider scale in the not-so-distant future.

Read Peter's thoughts: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/peter-kerr-director-cameron-kerr-on-building-bots-innovative-integration-and-the-end-of-entry-level-as-we-know-it/

📸 Lewis Cannon

06/08/2025

New Designers is a prime place to spot material innovation from the next generation of designers on the cusp on entering industry.

And this year was no different. Walking around Islington's Business Design Centre, we were buoyed up by the wealth of exhibitors challenging irresponsible methods of making - instead crafting with purpose to give back more to the planet than they take.

This regenerative approach inspired one such designer whom we met at New Designers Part One. Milly Vine, who has recently completed her BA (Hons) Textile Design at Nottingham Trent University, is inspired by the natural world and its beauty.

For her graduate project, this led her to explore a storyline-based concept which recognises natural aesthetic and tactile comfort. Through blending techniques and disciplines, Milly has created a collection of eye-catching bio-based material samples, almost candy-like in appearance.

Before Milly takes the plunge into a role within the surfaces sector, we had a quick chat about what's fuelled her work so far, and where she may be headed next: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/graduate-spotlight-milly-vine-bio-based-textile-design/

📸 Courtesy of Milly Vine

05/08/2025

Registration is now open for the upcoming Workspace Design Show, taking place on 5–6 November 2025 at RAI Amsterdam.

This year’s theme, Activate the Senses, invites attendees to experience the power of sensory design in shaping how we feel, focus, and function in the workplace.

Bringing together over 5,000 architects, designers, workplace strategists, and commercial interiors professionals, the show will spotlight the ideas, products, and solutions redefining the future of workspaces. Exhibiting brands include Material Source Studio Partner, Vepa.

Discover more: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/workspace-design-show-amsterdam-explores-activate-the-senses-theme/

04/08/2025

Did you know, Interplan has been Scotland’s leading washroom supplier and installer for almost 40 years?

Based in Glasgow, it covers all areas of the country, providing an exceptional service to educational institutions of all sizes.

Now a Partner at Material Source Studio Glasgow, here, we provide an overview of its products for the education sector to inspire your schemes over the summer and beyond: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/explore-education-washrooms-with-interplan/

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Our story

Material Source is an online magazine for architects and designers worldwide, exploring a wealth of materials and interiors to inspire your next projects.

From wood, glass, ceramic and concrete to vinyl, paint, textiles and recycled materials, we share the latest in industry news, showcase new products and surfaces from emerging and established designers, makers and manufacturers around the world, and we take a closer look at the people and practices who use these materials every day.

Answering to a growing appetite to discover how things are made, we look at how specifiers and makers choose materials, the challenges they face and the thought process behind specifying for their projects or products.

Launched in September 2018, our aim is simple – to inspire and inform as well as celebrate the importance of the materials that bring products and interiors to life, especially ones with outstanding environmental content.