MaterialDriven
MaterialDriven is a London-based materials consultancy and curated library of 300+ sustainable materials, serving architects, designers, brands, and institutions across architecture, interiors, fashion, and packaging via consulting, curation, and education services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MaterialDriven does
MaterialDriven is a private design consultancy and materials library founded in 2016 by Purva Chawla and now jointly led with partner Adele Orcajada. Operating from London (UK), Dallas (US), and Bilbao (Spain), the company functions as a strategic interface between material developers (manufacturers, makers, and startups including Solidwool, UBQ Materials, Woola, BioViron, Giles Miller Studio, Foresso, and Goodfellow) and design professionals across architecture, interiors, product design, fashion, packaging, and real estate/hospitality. The firm's core asset is a curated collection of more than 300 innovative, sustainable materials, which underpins all client work.
The offering is organized around three service pillars: Consulting (materials selection and analysis, market intelligence and macro-trend reports, supplier introductions, design and material-art development, and end-to-end project management, exemplified by art installations at AC Hotel by Marriott Washington DC for OTO Development and trophies for The Woolmark Company's Woolmark Performance Challenge with Adidas); Curation (immersive exhibitions and large-scale installations such as Future Proof for Architect@Work and the Life in Loop materials library exhibit at Good Coworking in Dallas); and Education (talks, lectures, hands-on workshops, and library setup for universities, museums, and institutions, including partnerships with rat[LAB] and Basque Design Center). The firm also operates regional channel representation (Giles Miller Studio in South/Central US; Foresso in Dallas and Austin) and a material-loan service for clients evaluating samples.
The business model is professional-services-based: quote-based, project-specific engagements with no publicly disclosed pricing, supplemented by a recurring material-samples-on-loan component. Distribution relies on direct enterprise sales, event-driven lead generation at industry venues (LuxePack New York, London Design Festival, Architect@Work), content marketing via blog and Instagram, and partnerships with manufacturers and institutional bodies. The company remains privately held by its two founding partners with no institutional investors, funding rounds, or M&A activity disclosed.
MaterialDriven firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MaterialDriven
- Website
- https://materialdriven.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MaterialDriven is a London-based materials consultancy and curated library of 300+ sustainable materials, serving architects, designers, brands, and institutions across architecture, interiors, fashion, and packaging via consulting, curation, and education services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MaterialDriven industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Materials Consultancy and Library Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Crafts & DIY Hobby Supplies Distribution (CRAOAMAE)
Keywords
Where MaterialDriven is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
MaterialDriven business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Consulting Services: Core consulting revenue stream providing materials selection, market intelligence, macro trends analysis, material sourcing, design and material-art development for interiors, and project management from concept to delivery.
- Educational Services: Presentations and lectures on material innovation, material making, sustainability and circular design; material library setup and support; material-making workshops and interactive displays for universities, museums, schools, and institutions.
- Curation and Exhibition Design: Creating immersive exhibitions and large-scale temporary installations for clients, focused on new, sustainable and sensory materials. Interactive displays tailored to various audiences and themes.
- Material Samples on Loan: Materials library services providing material samples on loan to clients for evaluation and project purposes.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
MaterialDriven product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MaterialDriven is a materials consultancy and library that delivers professional services across three pillars: Consulting (materials selection, market intelligence, sourcing, supplier introductions, design and material-art development, and project management), Curation (immersive exhibitions and large-scale temporary installations focused on sustainable and sensory materials), and Education (talks, lectures, hands-on workshops, and library setup for universities, museums, and institutions). The firm's foundation is a curated library of 300+ innovative materials connecting material developers with architects, designers, and brand clients.
Product overview
MaterialDriven is a materials consultancy and library operating from Dallas, Bilbao, and London. The company offers three interconnected service pillars: Consulting (materials selection, market intelligence, sourcing, design and project management), Curation (immersive exhibitions and large-scale installations), and Education (training programs and workshops on material innovation). The portfolio includes a curated collection of 300+ materials in their library, art consultancy for hospitality projects, themed presentations on sustainable materials, and the 'Life in Loop' materials library exhibit in Dallas. All services are focused on connecting advanced, sustainable materials with applications in architectural, interiors, product and fashion industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Consulting Services Guides clients to better materials for their products and spaces, providing knowledge, sourcing, design, and end-to-end delivery. Includes art consultancy and project management, product development, and macro trends and market intelligence services for architecture, interiors, product and fashion design, packaging, and real estate development.
- Curation Services Creates immersive exhibitions and large-scale temporary installations for clients, focused on new, sustainable, and sensory materials. Includes direct participation in trade shows such as LuxePack (New York) and London Design Festival, and curated displays such as Future Proof for Architect@Work.
- Education Services Trains the next generation of creatives and leading professionals on material innovation and its value through talks, lectures, hands-on workshops, and displays. Includes themed presentations covering Healthy Materials, Waste-based Design, Bio-materials, and Sensory Design, plus interactive workshops and bespoke sessions for universities, museums, schools, and institutions.
- Life in Loop Materials Library A tactile, informative library of cutting-edge materials and finished products that pave the way for healthier, sustainable design, manufacturing, construction, and consumption. Located at Good Coworking in Dallas, Texas, featuring waste-based materials from circular economy principles and bio-based/bio-fabricated design.
- Materials Library and Sample Loan Service A curated collection of 300+ innovative materials that serves as the basis for strategic projects and connections between developers of new materials and those seeking to apply them. Materials are available on loan to clients for evaluation and project purposes.
- Art Consultancy and Project Management Envisions and delivers immersive, materials-focused art installations for hotels and other built environments, including chandeliers, felt panels, and ceramic tile surface artworks. Project management runs from concept through to delivery, working with artists and installers such as Giles Miller Studio, Anne Kyyro Quinn, Anke Neumann of Lichtpapier, and Sara Le Balc'h.
Quantifiable outcome
- Interactive presentation of over 30 material samples with detailed design and technical reports delivered to global beauty brand client
Companies that use MaterialDriven
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
MaterialDriven technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
MaterialDriven partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- GoodfellowcoreGoodfellow is a leading global supplier of metals, alloys, ceramics, glasses, polymers, compounds, composites and other materials, with 70,000 catalogue products and 70 years of facilitating scientific innovation. MaterialDriven works with Goodfellow on communications campaigns to the design community, supporting their Materials Hub database.
- rat[LAB] (Research in Architecture & Technology)minorAn independent research organization and network of designers and researchers specializing in computational design. MaterialDriven partners with rat[LAB] on the organization of specialized educational workshops and training for design professionals.
- Giles Miller StudiocoreAn innovative surface, architecture and sculpture studio that has created acclaimed and award-winning work for prestigious brand names. MaterialDriven represents Giles Miller Studio in the South and Central United States, helping specify their work in this region.
- ForessocoreA new composite sheet material composed of timber, wood waste, cement, waste lime plaster, resin, and pigment on birch plywood substrate. MaterialDriven currently represents Foresso in Dallas and Austin, United States, helping specify the material in this region.
- Katerva AwardsminorThe pinnacle of global sustainability recognition that identifies, refines, and accelerates the best sustainable ideas toward global impact. MaterialDriven is proud to support the Katerva Awards program as members of its Expert Panels.
- Basque Design CentercoreBased in Bilbao, Spain, the Basque Design Center is a platform focused on new technologies and disciplines applied to the circular economy through regenerative practices. MaterialDriven has partnered with BDC as in-house academic directors and sustainability facilitators, bringing their Material Library, Bio Lab, and FabLab resources.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MaterialDriven competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Surface Matter: UK-based materials showroom and sourcing platform serving architects and interior designers. Direct competitor in the curated materials distribution and specification space, with overlapping UK design industry client base.
- MaterialDistrict: Netherlands-headquartered materials platform (formerly Materia) that curates innovative materials and connects manufacturers with designers and architects. Direct competitor in the materials library and sourcing space, with broader international exposure.
- Matério: Paris-based materials library with a curated collection of contemporary and innovative materials serving designers and architects. Direct peer to MaterialDriven's London materials library concept and similar consulting/support model.
- Materfad: Barcelona-based materials library established by FAD (Foment de les Arts i del Disseny). Directly comparable to MaterialDriven's Iberian footprint and design-industry focus, with curated materials collection and educational programming.
- Material ConneXion: The largest global materials library and consultancy, founded in 1997, with offices in multiple continents. Directly comparable to MaterialDriven in mission (curated materials library serving designers) but materially larger in scale and more enterprise-focused.
- Heme: Iberian materials library and consultancy. Direct peer to MaterialDriven's Bilbao and broader European design materials positioning, with overlap in craft and sustainable materials focus.
Broad incumbents
- WGSN: Global trend forecasting and market intelligence platform serving fashion, beauty, interiors, and design industries. Overlaps with MaterialDriven's market intelligence and macro trends services but at much larger scale and with a subscription-driven model.
Others
- Maison & Objet: Paris-based design trade show and digital materials platform. An ecosystem participant and event partner comparable to MaterialDriven's heavy reliance on trade show presence (LuxePack, London Design Festival) for visibility and lead generation.
Emerging players
- Coloro: Color and material intelligence platform serving fashion and design. Adjacent to MaterialDriven's curation and materials analysis services, with a more structured, software-leaning delivery model.
Regional players
- Swallow Retail: UK-based supplier and showroom of contract materials for hospitality and commercial interiors. Comparable in serving the same enterprise design and hospitality clients as MaterialDriven, with a more product-distribution focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MaterialDriven social profiles
Digital presenceMaterialDriven financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MaterialDriven leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MaterialDriven funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MaterialDriven M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MaterialDriven
What does MaterialDriven do?
MaterialDriven is a materials consultancy and library that delivers professional services across three pillars: Consulting (materials selection, market intelligence, sourcing, supplier introductions, design and material-art development, and project management), Curation (immersive exhibitions and large-scale temporary installations focused on sustainable and sensory materials), and Education (talks, lectures, hands-on workshops, and library setup for universities, museums, and institutions). The firm's foundation is a curated library of 300+ innovative materials connecting material developers with architects, designers, and brand clients.
Is MaterialDriven a public or private company?
MaterialDriven is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MaterialDriven founded?
MaterialDriven was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MaterialDriven based?
MaterialDriven is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does MaterialDriven make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are educational Services, curation and Exhibition Design and material Samples on Loan.
Who are MaterialDriven's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Surface Matter, MaterialDistrict, Matério, Materfad, Material ConneXion and Heme. WGSN is listed as a broad incumbent. Maison & Objet is listed as an others. Coloro is listed as an emerging player. Swallow Retail is listed as a regional player.
Does MaterialDriven have an API?
No public API is recorded for MaterialDriven.
What industry is MaterialDriven in?
MaterialDriven's product category is Materials Consultancy and Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAMAE, Arts, Crafts & DIY Hobby Supplies Distribution.