James Latham-supplied WISA®-Birch plywood proves its versatility for a 21st-century co-workspace in a 16th-century building
Creating a modern co-working space within a 16th-century Grade II listed building presents a unique challenge: balancing contemporary design with the preservation of historic character. This was the task facing Southspace founder Matt Livey as he set out to transform Dorking’s Mount House into a fully equipped workspace for local creatives and freelancers.
A long-time admirer of birch plywood, Matt was drawn to the material’s visual warmth and adaptability within heritage settings. After exploring several premium options, he selected Finnish brand WISA, impressed by its distinctive long-grain finish and strong sustainability credentials. Following an initial enquiry, the WISA team connected him with UK distributor James Latham, whose panel specialists would play a key role in bringing the project to life.
A natural selection
From the outset, the overarching design philosophy was to create a warm and natural look and feel across the entire interior. As Matt explains, “We wanted to use a selection of materials that would sit happily in a historic location and, most importantly, age beautifully. A long-time plywood fan, as soon as I saw WISA-Birch with its striking long grains, I really wanted to have it as the foundation of my material palette. Its influence would go far beyond being background material, driving my colour choices and helping create the tranquil, harmonious atmosphere I was looking for. Oh, and it also finishes beautifully, whether you’re using oils, stains or varnishes.”
James Latham supplied 18mm WISA-Birch Long Grain plywood, manufactured to EN636-2 and EN314-2 Class 3 standards, ensuring consistent performance. The material’s robust cross-banding provided the strength needed for a variety of applications, from furniture to interior finishes.
The long, good ply-day
Locally CNC-cut by Buzz Productions, the WISA-Birch was used throughout the space to create adaptable pegboard storage, tactile desk surfaces, hybrid planter-bookshelves and bespoke window displays, with additional metalwork by Marcus Etherington. Its versatility allowed for a cohesive design language, while off-cuts were repurposed into custom elements such as trapezoid table legs, reducing waste and supporting the project’s low-carbon ethos.
A harmonious material palette
The plywood sits harmoniously alongside other materials, including a poured resin floor by Sphere8 and ash-legged chairs by Solidwool, contributing to a calm and unified interior scheme. WISA-Birch’s PEFC certification, European manufacturing, and low formaldehyde emissions further aligned with the project’s sustainability goals, helping ensure a healthy indoor environment.
Supporting sustainable specification
Completed in November 2025, Southspace demonstrates how contemporary materials can complement historic architecture. Reflecting on the project, Matt Livey highlights both the material and the collaboration: “It shows what’s possible when you push plywood in a challenging setting. The support from James Latham was invaluable, and I’d happily work with them again.”
Today, James Latham stocks WISA-Birch Premium plywood nationwide, supported by expert technical advice for designers and specifiers.
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