As a studio described as a powerhouse of productivity, how do you ensure that the materials you specify for occupier workplace design directly enhance the harmony and output of a professional environment? 

Materiality plays a fundamental role in shaping behaviour and supporting productivity within the workplace. Finishes must feel authentic, purposeful, and carefully tuned to the activities they host. Rather than applying a uniform aesthetic, materials are curated to respond to the energy and intent of each space. 

Collaborative areas are layered with richer colour, texture, and pattern to stimulate conversation, creativity, and connection. In contrast, focused work environments adopt a quieter, more restrained palette—soft tones, refined textures, and reduced visual noise—to support concentration and cognitive clarity. 

Communal spaces such as cafés and breakout areas draw on natural, food-inspired colours and tactile finishes, creating warmth, comfort, and a sense of ease. When materiality is thoughtfully aligned with function, the environment feels intuitive and effortless; when it is not, spaces can feel jarring and productivity is inevitably compromised. 

In an era of mass production, how do you find authentic surface solutions that allow a project to feel truly unique? 

To create projects that feel genuinely distinctive in an increasingly saturated marketplace, it is essential to look deeper into the supply chain. Beyond the well-known manufacturers, there is a growing network of smaller, design-led businesses producing innovative, characterful finishes that bring originality and authenticity to a scheme. 

The parallel drive towards sustainability and reuse has further encouraged experimentation, with designers and clients alike embracing patinated surfaces, reclaimed materials, and finishes that celebrate imperfection and provenance. This openness allows spaces to feel more layered, tactile, and honest—moving away from uniformity towards environments with real depth and identity 

How do you maintain your philosophy of Treading Lightly whilst working on large-scale Industrial or Retail Project, and where do you look for the latest eco-friendly breakthroughs? 

Treading lightly is central to Resonate’s ethos. It is about reducing transport, minimising waste, lowering carbon impact, and applying greater care and intention to every decision we make. We actively maintain this commitment by starting with a pin in the map—prioritising manufacturers within a 100-mile radius wherever possible. 

Equally important is the dialogue we have with our suppliers. We ask the right questions about material provenance, manufacturing processes, and the values of each surface provider, ensuring that sustainability is not an add-on, but embedded in the DNA of the project. 

Resonate has stated a passion for locally sourced products to reduce carbon emissions. How do you balance this commitment when presented with a global array of tactile and innovative products from across the world? 

Wherever possible, we prioritise local sourcing, supporting regional makers and manufacturers first. When materials cannot be found locally, we extend our search across Europe—but no further. This principle is intrinsic to who Resonate is as a business and remains a mantra we consistently uphold. 

We are committed to building deep, long-term relationships with business owners and suppliers who share our values, ensuring that every material choice reflects not only design excellence, but integrity, responsibility, and mutual respect. 

As and architecture and interior design firm, how do face-to-face gatherings with suppliers and innovators help you curate the long-term relationships necessary to deliver your multi-award winning projects? 

As commercial designers, we believe human interaction sits at the heart of everything we do—it is, after all, what we design for on behalf of our clients. Being in the room together matters. It allows for serendipitous conversations, shared energy, and the invaluable opportunity to see, touch, and truly experience the materials and products we are specifying. 

These moments cannot be replicated online. Face-to-face discussions are more fluid, more intuitive, and lead to richer questions and more meaningful outcomes. We thrive on interpersonal relationships and the nuance, trust, and connection they bring, forming bonds that ultimately strengthen both the design process and the spaces we create.