WISA-Birch plywood from James Latham takes centre stage in the bespoke furniture for Southspace, a new co-working venture set inside a Dorking building that dates back to the 16th century. Here, founder Matt Livey explains why this highly versatile material became the foundation of his fit-out …
The brief Matt set himself for Southspace was as much about feel as it was function. Every desk, shelf and display had to look at home in a building that has stood on the high street since the mid-1700s, while quietly supporting the day-to-day demands of a modern working environment. His material of choice for the furniture was WISA-Birch plywood, supplied by James Latham.
It's a relationship that goes back years. "I've been pretty much transfixed with birch ply ever since I used it to build a floor in my first apartment," says Matt. "It just got better with age."
That early experiment shaped his thinking ever since, and at Southspace the material has graduated from underfoot to centre stage.
A harmonious material palette
All WISA-Birch components used in Southspace were CNC cut locally by fabricator Buzz Productions, with Marcus Etherington engaged for the accompanying metalwork. The versatility of the panel enabled the installers to create everything from adaptable pegboard systems that provide reconfigurable storage, through to durable, tactile desk surfaces, hybrid planter/bookshelves and bespoke window displays.
Dovetailing with Matt's desire for visual harmony, WISA-Birch sits comfortably alongside the ToughSphere poured resin floor by Sphere8 and ash-legged chairs by Solidwool, creating a calm, cohesive palette throughout the space. The long-grain face also takes oils, stains and varnishes in its stride, giving the furniture a consistent finish from desk surface to window display.
David Briggs, birch plywood expert at James Latham, explains why the panel performs so well for fit-out furniture: "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 were essential. From a structural point of view, the robust cross-banding in each panel provides strength and stability needed for multiple furniture and finishing applications."
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. Off-cuts were carefully set aside and repurposed across the interior, from picture frames built out of narrow strips to a set of bespoke, trapezoid table legs that effortlessly combine form and functionality.
"With birch ply, there's always room for an off-cut," Matt adds. "For that reason, it's quite sustainable – because you're not chucking stuff in the skip."
A fit-out built to age well
The result is a space where the furniture and the fabric of the building feel naturally aligned. For Matt, the project confirms what he first discovered laying that apartment floor years ago – with birch ply, the longer it sticks around, the better it looks.
"The birch has very much driven my colour choices, making sure we create a harmonious feel," he explains. "It's very contemporary, yet it sits very happily in a historic location."
James Latham stocks WISA-Birch Premium plywood nationwide across all 12 UK and Ireland depots, backed by technical advice from experienced timber specialists.
