Matter boss Jonathan Smith found the College Hill property because one of his architects, Phil Howat, had once lived there. He bought the building in 2009, got permission to remove it three years later, and completed a total rebuild on the same footprint

Workspace

Smith wanted the working space to be the focal point, which is why it sits in the middle of the office. This area is made up of one long bench “making the space really open for discussion,” Smith says.

The team decided to turn the wall behind the bench into a giant blackboard so they have a space to jot down ideas or brainstorm.

Smith says it was all about encouraging creativity within the office.

“No matter what you have to say you can just say it and it’s all about sharing ideas.”

Because this area is centered around work, Smith decided to go with hanging lights. He says they are good for work but also, as Howat puts it, “bring a feeling of play to the office”.