First opening a material studio in Hackney in 2015, Surface Matter are moving, giving the past decade of the studio a great send off with SDS. Now in their 13th year, Surface Matter celebrate their journey of surface innovation and adaptive reuse and look ahead to the next evolution in circular design.

Through time
Marking a milestone with reconfigured works and future facing pieces for rental rescue and adaptive reuse, the exhibition reimagines the history of studio displays and past exhibitions- Shaping how materials are made used and reused, built for the future in a tribute to transformation.

Since starting, Surface Matter has worked with architects, designers and ambitious manufacturers to shift how materials are used in the built environment. From pioneering surfaces made with recycled paper, plastics and textiles to launching Material Rescue — a takeback service that keeps quality materials in circulation — the studio has consistently challenged single-use culture, proving that design can be both desirable and responsible.

Looking ahead, Surface Matter and Material Rescue expand focus with adaptive reuse models and rental services, helping brands and specifiers build flexibility, reduce waste, and rethink value in their projects.

The 2026 installation reflects this ambition, positioning the studio not only as a material supplier but as a catalyst for systemic change — designing legacy, not waste, for the next decade and beyond. See how surfaces evolve across lifecycles with a place to explore our new library of pieces for rental, rescue and reuse, enhancing circularity and reuse within events and exhibitions, photoshoots, retail displays, pop ups, press previews and more. 

“Adaptive reuse is often spoken about in architecture, but rarely demonstrated in the temporary world of exhibitions. We wanted to prove that a stand can evolve just as materials do — with rental, rescue and reuse at its core.”