One of the most rewarding things to witness through creating Solidwool, is getting to see our products being used in new and inspiring spaces, shaping moments of everyday life. One example of this that has caught our attention recently, is ‘SouthSpace’, the new collaborative workspace bringing Solidwool to the Dorking high street.
We caught up with Matt Livey, founder of SouthSpace, on what inspired the project and why he chose our Hembury chairs for this new, creative workspace.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired the creation of this space? What purpose does it serve for you and others who use it?
I’m Matt Livey, Founder of SouthSpace and the production company Palladian Media. My background is in architectural photography and filmmaking, and after years of working in beautifully designed buildings around the world, I wanted to create something closer to home, a small, design-led hub for local creatives. SouthSpace fills a gap in Dorking, offering a calm, modern environment with just six desks and a meeting room that can be booked by the half or full day. It’s a place to work, connect and collaborate. I will use the space myself, alongside our first workspace members - a production assistant and the building’s landlord, Ed Marsh, a local developer and chartered surveyor.
What inspired the design of your co-working space and meeting room?
The inspiration came partly from photographing Burberry’s London headquarters many years ago; a space defined by its elegant restraint and clarity. I wanted to channel that same sense of simplicity and balance into a much smaller footprint. The meeting room is deliberately uncomplicated: natural materials, soft lighting and a large monitor for high-quality collaborative calls. The overall aesthetic is calm, tactile and honest, designed to make people feel comfortable and focused.
“I’ve always loved the fibreglass chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950s, and the Hembury felt like a sustainable, modern echo of that timeless form”
How did you first discover Solidwool, and what led you to choose the Hembury Chairs for your space?
I first spotted the Solidwool Hembury Chair at Material Source Studio in Glasgow while on a shoot for a client, and it immediately stood out. The idea of transforming wool into a strong, sculptural composite felt both innovative and very British. I’ve always loved the fibreglass chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950s, and the Hembury felt like a sustainable, modern echo of that timeless form, beautifully made, with real character and purpose.
Which Hembury Chair colours did you select, and how do they complement your overall design?
I chose the Forest colourway. It complements the greenery and natural materials used throughout SouthSpace, the birch plywood, soft neutrals and subtle tones that define the space. The colour has depth without dominating and helps tie the meeting room to the rest of the interior.
How do you want people to feel when they enter and use the space?
Calm, inspired and connected. The whole idea was to create a place that slows people down, a space that encourages focus and conversation. People are often surprised to find such a contemporary, design-led interior on Dorking’s high street.
You’ve made thoughtful choices in sourcing materials and products. Why is supporting British designers and makers important to you?
The UK has such a rich history of furniture design and craftsmanship, and that’s always resonated with me. My grandfather was a talented upholsterer, and when I worked as an architectural technician in the 1990s, I’d spend hours in Heal’s and The Conran Shop studying how things were made. Working with local craftspeople and British brands on SouthSpace felt like coming full circle, a way to honour that tradition while supporting the next generation of designers and makers.
Having photographed and filmed interiors around the world, what elements do you believe make a space truly beautiful and unique?
For me, it’s about atmosphere and balance. Beautiful spaces make you feel calm and grounded; they create a sense of place. Neutral colours help focus the mind, especially when I’m editing or grading film, and I’ve learned that texture, acoustics and even scent all play a role in how people experience a room. In a world full of noise and screens, a calm space helps calm the mind. That’s what I’ve tried to achieve with SouthSpace.
Matt has created a considered space that will both nurture and inspire the next generation of creatives, and we are honoured to have played a small part in that.
With our range of coloured Hembury chairs and side tables, we can’t wait to see the spaces that Solidwool will inhabit next. Find out more about SouthSpace over on southspace.com and shop our Forest Hembury Chair here.
Photography © Matt Livey