Taking Inspiration from Material Source Studio

Situated in the grade 2 listed Hanover building in the heart of Manchester’s NOMA district and spanning 15,000sqft sits Material Source Studio. The first of its kind in the UK, Material Source Studio showcases products from its 40+ partners in the form of meticulously curated displays and interactive exhibitions set across two floors.

The products are for use in all sectors of design from residential and hospitality right through to educational and healthcare settings. In addition to this, MSS houses a library, 7 meeting rooms, a CPD studio, podcast studio, gallery and 80-seat theatre which hosts monthly seminars on design’s most pressing topics.

Blending the creative ingenuity and operational acumen of co-founders Darren Clanford and Michael Rogan, Material Source Studio emerged from a steadfast ambition to champion the North-West’s burgeoning design community. The addition of David Smalley as commercial director added further clout to the operation.

Material Source Studio’s partners are made up of a variety of new and well-established brands who showcase products made from a vast range of materials, these products include, but are not limited to, paint, tiles, surface materials, lighting, acoustic products, wall coverings, flooring, fabrics, plants, bathroom accessories.

“When serving a design driven audience, it goes without saying that the interiors of Material Source Studio needed to be aspirational. Working with products and materials from the best built environment brands in the business allowed us to create a versatile palette of dynamic, on-trend schemes. Spanning a range of ‘zones’, from our 80-seat theatre to the podcast studio, never-before-seen bespoke pieces from our partners are featured throughout, illustrating the extensive capabilities of each and every one”-says Darren Clanford, Co-Founder and Creative Director.

Michael Rogan, Co-Founder and Operations director says of the space, “Darren has designed the entire Studio with support with our team and partners, and most of what you’ll see when you visit is bespoke. From Crown Paints colour matching the exact tone and texture of the building’s heritage walls, to our concierge desk made by Gresham’s bespoke team with materials supplied by CDUK, and chairs with Panaz fabrics, to our unmistakable ‘M’ logomark in neon by Neon Creations, with so much to see, our best advice would be to come along and visit the space for yourself!”

MSS gives design professionals the chance to work, collaborate and learn in an environment that is not only aesthetically engaging, but immensely inspiring. Perhaps more importantly, MSS feels warm and accessible. There is an almost palpable community spirit that washes through the studio, and we consider it a privilege to be able to use the space.

Recently Material Source Magazine interviewed our director, Jose Kennedy, for her take on all things design. Read full article here.

MSS states on their website that their objective is ‘to be both inspirational and useful’- they have achieved this in spades.

We would like to give huge thanks to Darren, Michael, David and the team for their continued support.

A full list of partners at MSS can be found below:

• Abode
• Allgood
• Altro
• Alusid
• Atkinson & Kirby
• Arte
• Autex
• Bobo1325
• Brunner
• Britton
• Burlington
• Camira
• Casa Ceramica
• CDUK
• Clearwater
• Concept Cubicle Systems
• Consentino
• Crosswater
• Crown
• d line
• Dyson
• Ege Carpets
• Forbo
• Gresham
• Karndean
• Light Forms
• Lutron
• NaughtOne
• Neon Creations
• Newhey Carpets
• NOMA
• Oasis Plants
• Panaz
• Pfleiferer
• Pixite
• Radii Planet Group
• Scanomat
• Sixteen3
• Smile Plastics
• Vado
• Vespa