Heritage meets innovation: How a 16th-century listed building became a thriving modern workspace

A panel for all seasons

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 inside a 16th-century Grade II listed building presents the distinct challenge of delivering impressive contemporary design and preserving priceless historic character.

It was a delicate balancing act Southspace founder Matt Livey had to achieve if he wanted to deliver on his vision of an all mod cons office for local creatives and freelancers within Dorking’s (Surrey, UK) historic Mount House.

Transfixed with birch ply since using it to fit-out his first apartment, he knew he wanted to use it for this project, not only for its visual appeal but also for its adaptability within a heritage setting. After considering a number of premium options, he alighted on Finnish brand WISA, instantly impressed by its long-grain finish and sustainability.

After an initial conversation, the WISA team connected him with their largest UK distributor, James Latham.

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 longtime 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.”

“However, that was only half the story behind the selection,” he continues, “Not only is WISA Birch a timelessly beautiful product, it’s also dimensionally stable and ages incredibly well, making it perfectly suited for hard-waring commercial workspaces.”

The long, good ply-day

James Latham’s panel team would play a crucial role, selecting and delivering 10 sheets of 18mm WISA-Birch Long Grain plywood (2440mm x 1220mm) according to the specification and advising on the best fabrication approaches.

As David Briggs, Birch Plywood expert at James Latham, says,

“What sets WISA apart is found in the manufacturing process, where each and every sheet is produced to EN636-2 EN314-2 Class 3 standards, which delivers dependable performance time after time. For a fit-out like this, where uncompromising precision is required, having these third-party reassurances was essential. From a structural point of view, the robust cross-banding in each panel provides the strength and stability needed for multiple furniture and finishing applications.”

A harmonious material palette

All WISA-Birch components used in Southspace were CNC cut locally by fabricators Buzz Productions (with Marcus Etherington engaged for the accompanying metalwork). The versatility of WISA-Birch enabled the installers to create everything from adaptable pegboard systems that provide reconfigurable storage, along with durable, tactile desk surfaces, through to hybrid planter/bookshelves and bespoke window displays.

As an added bonus, and dovetailing with Matt’s desire for visual harmony, WISA-Birch sat comfortably alongside the ToughSphere poured resin floor by Sphere8 and ash-legged chairs by Solidwool, creating a calm, cohesive palette throughout the space.

Supporting sustainable specification

With an underlying commitment to low carbon construction, Matt was also impressed by WISA’s green credentials. PEFC certified and manufactured in Europe, it meets E1 formaldehyde emission requirements, ensuring healthy indoor air quality for workspace users.

He also appreciated how, with a premium product like birch ply everything is precious, making use of all the off-cuts and repurposing them across various interior features and fittings. One noteworthy example is a set of bespoke, trapezoid plywood table legs, effortlessly combining both form and functionality.

Why Matt Livey will specify WISA-Birch again

Completed and opened to the public in November 2025, Southspace demonstrates how contemporary materials and traditional buildings can work in unison. The WISA-Birch plywood’s warm, natural appeal complements Mount House’s historic character rather than competing with it.

As Matt Livey concludes,

“Southspace captures the true potential of plywood and what can be achieved when you push it to its limits in an unusual space with strict limitations of what you can and cannot do. Beyond the material, James Latham’s support was exceptional, and its panels team provided invaluable insight into how to get the most out of WISA-Birch. I hope to work with them again on future projects.”

James Latham stocks WISA-Birch Premium plywood nationwide across all 12 UK and Ireland depots, backed by technical advice from experienced timber specialists.

For more information visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk

About James Latham:

James Latham is one of the UK’s largest independent distributors of timber, panels and decorative surfaces. It supplies products to a broad range of customers, from contractors and merchants, through to designers and architects.

With a history reaching back over 265 years, James Latham has a long-standing reputation for being innovators. The brand consistently pushes the boundaries of materials selection, from its origins in timber products, panels and doors through to the modern day, where it sits as one of the sector’s most recognised suppliers of cutting-edge materials technologies, including decorative laminates, veneers, thermoplastics and acrylics. Its timber products are sourced from the finest sawmills in the world and are fully certified for quality and sustainability.

James Latham’s portfolio features products from some of the world’s most recognised brands, along with exclusive boutique collections. The company is constantly seeking out innovative and high-performance materials to offer its customers greater choice and cutting-edge solutions.

Its people are as important as its product ranges. Experienced industry professionals teamed with specialist product managers mean James Latham can offer solutions and advice in the most challenging of applications.

Operating from twelve trading depots across the UK and Ireland, James Latham works closely with its customers to enable the most demanding designs and construction projects to become a reality.

As well as its distribution depots, the Group includes specialist divisions for technical panels, architectural mouldings, timber cladding, and bulk supply of timber and panels.

Thanks to its deep industry knowledge, comprehensive product range, and customer-focused approach, James Latham is the complete solution for today’s construction and design needs.