How Materiality Shapes the Experience of Home

A home is not defined by its walls alone, but by the way those walls feel—how they absorb light, how they respond to touch, how they shape movement and atmosphere. Materiality is central to this experience, influencing not just aesthetics but the emotional and sensory qualities of a space. The texture of exposed brick, the warmth of timber, the weight of stone underfoot—these are the details that shape a home’s character, defining its presence over time. 

In our residential work, material selection is never incidental. Each project is a study in how surfaces, finishes, and structural elements interact to create spaces that feel grounding, inviting, and enduring. Three recent homes—Lee Terrace, Weald House, and Harley Place—demonstrate how materiality plays a defining role in crafting atmosphere, each exploring a distinct response to texture, longevity, and connection to place. 

LEE TERRACE: TACTILITY AND CONTRAST 

Situated in London’s Blackheath Conservation Area, the material expression of Lee Terrace was carefully considered to balance contextual sensitivity with a contemporary approach to craft. London stock brick and pre-cast stone form the external envelope, referencing the area’s historic masonry buildings whilst introducing subtle detailing that plays with shadow and depth. The façade is articulated with a stepped massing strategy, creating a sculptural interplay between solidity and openness, a rhythm echoed in the ornamental angled brickwork. 

Inside, the contrast between robust materials and softer finishes defines the experience of the space. The cool precision of exposed concrete meets the warmth of oak joinery, creating a careful dialogue between permanence and tactility. In the open-plan living area, deep green cabinetry acts as a grounding element, bringing richness and contrast against the flooring—a mix of pale stone and timber. Throughout the house, materiality is used as a tool to define spatial transitions; moving from the solidity of the entrance sequence into the layered softness of the private spaces, where light shifts across surfaces to highlight the textural variations within each material. 

WEALD HOUSE: A MATERIAL LANGUAGE ROOTED IN LANDSCAPE 

Set within the Kentish countryside, Weald House is a study in how material choices can embed a building within its natural surroundings. The design takes cues from the simple forms of local agricultural structures, with blackened timber cladding wrapping the house in a material that feels both contemporary and rooted in place. This treated timber is not only a visual reference to traditional barn typologies but also a highly durable and low-maintenance material, designed to evolve with the landscape as it weathers over time. A black zinc roof continues the monochrome palette, lending a quiet uniformity to the exterior.  

The material approach shifts to warmth and openness in Weald House’s interior, with natural oak floors and soft grey porcelain tiles defining the internal spaces. Expansive glazing frames views across the meadows beyond, reinforcing a connection between inside and out. The material strategy here is about contrast—the dark, textured exterior creates a sense of privacy and protection, whilst the light-filled interiors offer a sense of ease and openness, shaped by the natural variations in timber grain and stone texture. 

HARLEY PLACE: REINTERPRETING HERITAGE THROUGH MATERIALITY 

Harley Place, a historic townhouse in London’s Howard de Walden Estate, is a project that explores materiality through restoration and refinement. The external brickwork has been meticulously restored, preserving the character of the original structure whilst allowing for subtle contemporary interventions. This careful balance between heritage and modernity is carried through to the interiors, where a palette of natural stone, timber, and terrazzo introduces a sense of quiet luxury. 

Within the open-plan kitchen and dining space, dark cabinetry contrasts against herringbone parquet flooring, reinforcing a sense of texture and material depth. Skylights punctuate the ceilings, drawing in natural light that enhances the rich tones of the timber joinery. The staircase, a defining architectural feature, is designed as a sculptural element, with oak treads and glass railings creating a seamless transition between levels. Across the project, the layering of materials is integral to the experience of the home—where historic elements are allowed to retain their patina, and new additions bring a tactile, contemporary quality that complements rather than competes. 

MATERIAL AS ATMOSPHERE 

A well-crafted home is not just about how it looks, but about how it feels to move through it. The way materials absorb warmth in the winter, how they soften or sharpen light, how they change over time—these are the elements that shape the long-term experience of a space. While the colour of a plasterboard can be easily altered, the choice of material has a more lasting influence, defining whether a space feels warm and welcoming or refined and restrained. In each of these projects, materiality was not just an aesthetic decision but a fundamental design tool, used to create homes that are both timeless and deeply connected to their surroundings.

The question we always return to is: how does a space feel? The answer lies in the materials that define it. 

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