Jack Smith and Gemma Matthias are the founders of design studio SmithMatthias, a studio that thrives on innovative problem solving, designing products that blend intelligence, creativity and meticulous craftsmanship. We recently caught up with the duo to find out more about their new studio space in Liverpool’s Fabric District and discuss our current and future collaborations.

We last caught up around your first collaboration with Allermuir for the Ooty stool. You mentioned moving from London to Liverpool, at that point you were only beginning to set up here! How have things been since?



SM We lived in London for about 15 years, so we were a little nervous about moving away and sad to leave our studio and friends in Brixton. But life in Liverpool has been great; we commute 10 minutes into the city each day and enjoy being close to the sea and countryside. We’ve loved exploring Liverpool and already feel at home. Liverpool and London share a similar feel, though on a different scale. The architecture, creativity, and energy are alike. Our architect neighbours, Studio Mutt, have been especially welcoming and introduced us to other creatives in the area.


What does this studio space mean to you?



SM The studio means everything to our creativity. Having more space here is invaluable—it allows us to work on larger prototypes, leave them out, and revisit them over time, which is great for thoughtful reflection and refinement. We have a laser cutter, 3D printer and space for tools, modelling and prototyping. The studio is filled with books, materials, and sources of inspiration, creating an atmosphere that energises us as soon as we walk in. It’s a space where our ideas come to life.

How do you find new inspiration for your projects?
SM Our projects are much richer when we begin by getting out and about. We enjoy visiting museums, galleries, factories, spending time in nature, and traveling to find inspiration. With everything feeling so fast-moving and digital now, we think it’s important to take time to immerse ourselves in the real world.

What’s new from SmithMatthias for the Allermuir brand?
SM We’re really excited to share what we’ve been working on with Allermuir. Curve is a bold lounge chair made from timber and plywood—a statement piece. It has a slightly awkward, intriguing form, featuring soft, sculptural arms to embrace you. Drawing inspiration from the works of Henry Moore and Agustin Cárdenas, we encountered during visits to Bruton’s Hauser & Wirth and the Hakone Open Air Museum in Japan, Curve is a balance of sculpture and functionality, bringing character to a space.

 
Can you tell us what the key challenges you aimed to solve were for your latest product development Curve? 
Were there specific trends or user needs you focused on?
SM We were asked to design an oversized, characterful armchair, so we really enjoyed having some fun with this piece. We try not to follow trends too closely in our work for sustainability reasons—we want our designs to be timeless and kept for years to come, which is why we’re particularly drawn to working with timber. For this chair, we wanted to create something both well-made and comfortable. The biggest challenge was perfecting the arms, ensuring a beautiful line as the plywood curves from the back to the front. It took a lot of prototyping to achieve a result that felt right.

“We love Curve’s character—it feels like a big, friendly giant. While it has some deliberately awkward elements, these are balanced by details like the elegance of the timber grain on the backrest, which subtly guides and welcomes you into the seat. The combination of boldness and warmth gives it a distinctive personality that’s inviting and unique.”



– Gemma Matthias

Click here to read the full interview in our latest edition of Sketch Magazine. Next Gen is the theme for our seventh edition showcasing new ideas, trends, opinions, and products that are shaping the spaces of tomorrow. Curated by Allermuir and Senator, two completely different brands with one vision to create innovative products for the workplace.