Material Works Architecture

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Material Works Architecture

Architecture Practice located in London, specialising in bespoke residential and workspace design

28/08/2026

Hackney lofts saw the deep retrofit of an empty office building into two new residential units. As well as creating generous low carbon living space, the client was keen to add external space in the form of two new roof terraces - not easily done on an historic building within a conservation area. We navigated around the constraints by carefully inserting each terrace within the depth of the existing roof - removing areas of tiling obscured from the street by chimney stacks and parapet walls. Floor to ceiling bi-folding doors then connect the terraces straight to the living spaces allowing them to extend seamlessly to the outside in the summer months.

The project surpassed exemplary standards for energy efficency with a massive 80% cut in energy demand and carbon emissions. Using only natural materials that respect the existing structure, the project provides a benchmark for low carbon retrofit - an essential step on the way to net zero.

Contractor -
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05/08/2026

We're delighted to be shortlisted for this year's Retrofit and Reuse Award for Hackney Bay house.

This project involved the substantial refurbishment and extension of a Victorian terraced house within a Hackney conservation area. The lower floor, once dark and cramped, was transformed into a spacious, light-filled open-plan living area centred around a new kitchen. To enhance the sense of space, the floor level was lowered, increasing ceiling height and allowing for the creation of a dramatic double-height void adjacent to the new rear elevation. This space links to a mezzanine study, overlooking the living area.

A unique double-height bay window brings abundant natural light into the heart of the home and offers garden views from the mezzanine. The garden was subtly reconfigured with stepped access and integrated planters that visually and physically connect the interior to the outdoor space. At the garden’s end, a new standalone studio constructed with low-carbon materials—including cork cladding and timber shingles—houses a music and creative workspace with excellent acoustic and thermal performance.

Inside, exposed oak structural elements blend with matching joinery. A bespoke open-tread staircase adds visual lightness, while a pink concrete floor and natural plaster walls soften the interior. Sustainability and wellness was central to the design, with low carbon materials used throughout with high-performance insulation, efficient glazing, and an air-source heat pump replacing the gas boiler.

Images by:

07/04/2026

We are looking for a talented and experienced Architect or part II assistant to join our studio in Hackney. The role will initially focus on the development and delivery of a series of private residential projects, with opportunities to explore other areas as our work load develops.

The role will suit a motivated, self-sufficient designer with an enthusiasm for low-carbon design solutions and material innovation.

Send CVs to [email protected]

15/03/2026

is a low carbon home for climate tech businesses that showcases innovative materials and circular construction techniques within a the historic County Hall building in London. A key part of the design strategy was to minimise impact by celebrating the existing as the 'as found'. This led to a multi textured appearance - layers of historic finish overlayed with un-painted plaster, and then joinery and fittings from regenerative materials.

Collaborating with organisations working on innovative building products and techniques was key. Demountable partitions were developed by@ubuild , mycelium acoustic baffles and food waste finishes produced by and low carbon plaster from .

The scheme dramatically reduced the amount of embodied carbon typically used for workspace fitout and points towards a new aesthetic and material language reflecting the demands of the climate emergency.

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12/03/2026

We were commissioned to design a a small addition to this Victorian terraced house in Stoke Newington, London. With a limited budget and space, the challenge was to transform the existing dark and cramped kitchen space into a bright and open space that would cater to the needs of a growing family. To achieve this an extensive roof light was installed within the side return of the house and the rear wall was opened up with large sliding window above a recessed window seating area. A careful coordination of the restricted space allowed for the inclusion of a kitchen island while still leaving space for a dining table. The robust feel of the polished concrete floor was offset by the use of exposed oak joists supporting the roof-light and forming the window seat, creating an aesthetic that was at once both contemporary, practical and welcoming.

Structural Engineer -
Kitchen - BDB Furniture Ltd
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10/03/2026

A residential fit-out of a loft apartment in an industrial building in Hoxton, London. The heart of the space, the kitchen, uses a pallet of oak and ceramics, creating clear and simple forms that accentuate the scale of the existing space. An open area above the book shelves allows light to reach through into a mezzanine study area towards the back.

Kitchen by HØLTE
Images by

23/01/2026

Choices and combinations of materials are key to our work. Here, natural oak combines with the grain of reclaimed London bricks and a polished concrete floor to define a language that is contemporary and practical yet also warm and welcoming.

We were commissioned to design a a small addition to this Victorian terraced house in Stoke Newington, London. With a limited budget and space, the challenge was to transform the existing dark and cramped kitchen space into a bright and open space that would cater to the needs of a growing family. To achieve this an extensive roof light was installed within the side return of the house and the rear wall was opened up with large sliding window above a recessed window seating area. A careful coordination of the restricted space allowed for the inclusion of a kitchen island while still leaving space for a dining table.

Structural Engineer -
Kitchen - BDB Furniture Ltd
Image -

21/01/2026

is a low carbon home for climate tech businesses that showcases innovative materials and circular construction techniques within a the historic County Hall building in London. Key to the design was the use of reclaimed materials. We believe it's true that everything you need for a project probably already exists - it's just a case of finding it !. We spent many hours scouring salvage yards, websites and the odd skip to complete the project which included worktops from old school science labs, rescued corrugated metals sheets, many used doors and even reclaimed WCs and basins in the wash-rooms

The scheme dramatically reduced the amount of embodied carbon typically used for workspace fitout and points towards a new aesthetic and material language reflecting the demands of the climate emergency.

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16/01/2026

Throw back to the first Material Works Project. We were asked to come-up with an idea of accenting an abandoned space - to create something unique on a shoe-string budget. The response was suspend LED light tubes with some carefully selected colour gels.
More impact than we anticipated . . .

Address

Unit 54, Regent Studios
London
E84QN

Website

http://www.material-works.com/

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