Material experimentations 'Under One Roof' embrace Scottish craftsmanship

Craftsmanship has long been the lifeblood of Scotland's design landscape, weaving together centuries of tradition with the ingenuity of contemporary design. From traditional handcrafts and intricate textiles to modern innovations redefining materials, the country's design heritage is revered and constantly evolving. The Under One Roof exhibition, recently held at the Stallan Brand gallery in Glasgow, showcased select furniture designs, homeware and art pieces, paying homage to this legacy while boldly exploring the future of Scottish craftsmanship.

Curated by Findlay MacDonald and Harvey Everson, the duo behind the Edinburgh-based design platform Slancha, Under One Roof featured works of 14 contemporary designers and makers from across Scotland, each experimenting with discrete materials, forms and processes.

"The designers were selected because, although each one explores different materials and techniques, their work complements one another beautifully. The pieces range in function and form, but together, they represent a cohesive vision of what could exist in a contemporary modern home. The exhibition isn't just about showcasing objects—it's about celebrating the community and relationships that made Under One Roof possible," MacDonald tells STIR.

The 8 Vase IX and 8 Vase VIII by Glasgow-based SHY Design Studio is a contemplative exploration of materiality and emotional connection between the object and the user. Crafted from scagliola, a plaster traditionally used for surface decoration, these vases feature raw, textured surfaces reminiscent of natural landscapes. The furniture and interior design studio utilises minimalist architectural forms that spotlight intricate patterns hidden beneath the surface.

Another exhibit from the showcase, Kilo Table by Glasgow-based furniture designer Laurence Veitch and Greek architect Dafni Michalaki, melds organic forms with robust architectural elements. The piece, according to MacDonald, "balances smooth, pebble-like curves with striking, abrupt slices and intersecting planes, creating a captivating contrast between softness and sharp, deliberate edges." The rough, hand-carved and chain-sawed surfaces add a distinct texture and depth, while the cantilevered design and interplay of light across the vernacular form's various angles give it a sense of movement.

Lichen Stone is a striking moulded assemblage of polymer, lime, silica, cement and pigment that draws on the traditional Scottish technique of dry-stone walling. Conceived by Glasgow-based designer and fabricator Charlie Myatt, the sculpture art showcases his mastery of materials and a close connection to nature and urbanism. The design features fluid, intricate curves in earthy tones that interlock to create a structurally sound totem, evoking the natural spread of lichen as it blankets the stone. Myatt's choice to incorporate lead sheets enhances the stability of concrete and infuses a sturdy, industrial character to the piece.

A robust Scandinavian-Scottish artefact with clean, graphic lines characterises designer Nicholas Davis' Fireside Chair. The low-profile lounge chair is crafted from reddish-brown African Sapele timber with wide arms to provide comfort and serve as a practical surface for resting a cup or a book.

Under One Roof also featured tactile product designs from Scotland-based designer Oliver Spendley, ceramicist Frances Ross, sculptor and artist Richard Goldsworthy, designer Rory Middleton, furniture designer Neal Cameron, artist Calum Bettison and London-based multidisciplinary artist James Grossman.

The exhibition which ran from July 6 - August 16, 2024, reflected the distinct visions of its creators while accentuating the significance of craftsmanship in Scotland's modern design narrative. Reflecting upon the positive response from the showcase, MacDonald concludes "Each piece, with its unique exploration of texture, colour and form, brought its own identity to the exhibition, yet together, they formed a cohesive narrative of contemporary design."