An inspirational hub for the architecture, interior design, and property communities.
About
Material Source Studio brings together product and material insight and inspiration, plus much more, under one roof and offered all year round.
Facilities
From 50+ Partners, in an inspirational, hassle-free environment. Use samples. Interact with room sets. See what's new.
By our exhibited independent material innovators conjuring sector-disrupting applications.
In our world-class events programme. Be a seminar guest. Take part in a roundtable. Join a Partner CPD. All for free.
Use our Studios for your meetings. Whether with our Partners, or your team and clients. All our rooms offer seamless, integrated tech.
If you’re an architect or interior designer, work here for free. Help yourself to unlimited hot and cold drinks. Well behaved dogs also welcome.
Written specifically for you. And championing your own projects. Read the latest articles and send us your submissions.
Partners
Contact
3 min walk
19 min walk
10 min Metrolink ride
10am — 6pm
10am — 5pm
Closed Weekends and Bank Holidays
Spaces
Our Theatre offers an unparalleled event experience. With capacity for 80 seated, or 100 standing, an 165” LED screen and optimum audio solution, culminates in a spectacular all-round system, perfect for every event format, from presentations to film screenings.
Dimmable lighting and air conditioning contribute to the ambience of the space, which is further supported by understated yet comfortable seating and a bespoke carpet. A high ceiling and large windows allow for natural light to pour in, if wanted, and thanks to the addition of smart blinds, be obscured when required.
Whether hosting a talk, panel discussion, product presentation, or even movie premiere, you'll have access to the very best technology, and stunning surroundings, to make it a success.
Our workshop was created with the needs of built environment professionals in mind. A bespoke horseshoe table and high stools allow for presentations to be delivered in a relaxed, comfortable setting.
Located on our lower level, next to one of our two kitchens, the workshop juxtaposes the original heritage features of the building with innovative tech and practical design solutions to make for a beautiful and highly functional space.
The technology includes a 65” display, with a 4K resolution, and a Teams system with wireless microphones and a soundbar, all controlled seamlessly from an 8” touch panel, to ensure that content sharing can be done simply.
Our Hub has been designed with the future of work in mind. A selection of seating options, from collaborative booths allowing for semi-private discussion, to elongated tables, and plush break out areas, allows for complete flexibility in however and wherever you prefer to work.
Open to all architecture, design and property professionals that visit us, informal meetings, moodboard mock ups and everything in between is welcome at the Hub.
Help yourself to a warm or cold drink, and spend the day immersed in inspirational surroundings.
We offer 7 different meeting spaces within our Manchester Studio. From our private booths, which seat 1, to our large boardroom. The solo suites offer pull down desks, perfect for focused tasks and making phone calls, and the larger meeting rooms are kitted out with 65” displays. So, regardless of your usage requirements, we have somewhere to suit.
Every space has been designed with a different feel in mind. From warming terracotta, to monochrome. The rooms also feature comfort controls that allow flexibility in lighting and temperature. Contemporary artwork adorns every wall.
FAQs
Monday to Thursday: 10am - 6pm | Friday: 10am - 5pm | Closed weekends and bank holidays
Material Source Studio, 1 Federation Street, Manchester, M4 4BF
Yes, visiting the Studio is free. And that's for seeking inspiration, plus working from the Hub. The hiring of event spaces and the larger meeting rooms would need to be organised through our team and will carry a small fee. Please contact manchester_info@materialsource.co.uk for more information.
We ask all visitors to sign in on arrival. The sign up process takes 5-minutes the first time, and then it’s just a QR code scan when you arrive from then on.
Yes, you can sign up in advance of your visit here.
Victoria Station is a 3-minute walk away from the Studio, and Piccadilly Station is a brisk 15-minute walk away.
There are two large carparks only a two-minute walk from the Studio. Details here.
Our Studio is fully accessible to all. Our entrance has a ramp from street level, and we also have a lift between the ground and lower levels.
Yes, we just ask that you please scan the coinciding QR code so we can keep track of our stock and replenish for the next visitor.
Material Source Studio opened in November 2021. Read more about our journey here.
Our 15,000sqft Studio, situated in the Grade II listed Hanover Building, is set across two levels and features a wealth of inspirational exhibits and interactive displays from 50+ leading brands operating in the commercial interiors and built environment sectors. It also includes a bookable 80-seat theatre, a workshop and 7 meeting spaces. As well as space for architecture and design professionals to work.
Yes, please get in touch to discuss with our team on manchester_info@materialsource.co.uk.
Yes, all our meeting rooms include video conferencing facilities. Please speak to our Studio team in advance to discuss your requirements.
Material Source Studio was created with the needs of the architecture and design community in mind. It is a hub of inspirational exhibits from maker and manufacturing partners, as well as being a place to meet and work. If you specify or influence product selection, this is for you.
We're committed to supporting the next generation of architecture and design professionals, and as such offer group tours between 9am and 10am from the relevant faculties to the built environment. We are happy for individual visits by students to look around. However, this must be no more than 3 at a time. We are also happy to work on individual projects, booked well in advance on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss.
Yes, of course, Material Source Studio was created to make product inspiration and specification as straight-forward as possible. If you'd like to present, our bookable meeting rooms can be secured for a small fee.
The partners are the ones that have committed investment into the Studio, our role is to support them, so we kindly ask that none partners are not asked to come into the Studio to present.
Yes, we offer a range of spaces to work - from open desks to semi-private booths and comfortable corners fitted with sofas and a standing desk.
If it is your first time visiting, and you would like to organise a tour with our team for a group of colleagues, please get in touch: manchester_info@materialsource.co.uk.
If you have a Material Source Studio account, please make sure you’re opted in to receive updates from ourselves and our partners about upcoming events. This way, you will receive all invites before anyone else.
You can find a full list of our Material Source Studio Presents seminar events, plus our partners' events, on our What's On page.
Our Gallery space features changing exhibitions that address key topics in our sector. Our current exhibit is Carbon-12 - more details here.
If you’re an architect, designer or property professional, join as a member of our community for:
