practice

ABOUT

We are Material Studio Architects. A Manchester based practice directed by Chris Brown-Colbert.

We have a wide range of experience within the architecture and construction industries, on new and existing buildings within the residential, heritage, cultural and commercial sectors.

Our practice began in a small room, with one desk and four people around it, using old laptops, with Track Brewery at the end of the corridor and Chapeltown Picturehouse upstairs. Set within a warehouse behind Piccadilly Station and next door to Crusader Works; the former home of Rogue Studios.

We are passionate about our work, and firmly believe that well planned and designed spaces can enrich people’s lives, no matter the budget.

Our focused approach is founded on key principles: to create designs that are simple, engaging and beautiful, and to surpass our client’s expectations. We aim to inspire the occupants of our buildings, and to enhance the built environment with a low impact on the natural world.

We are Manchester Architects who love what we do, love Manchester and invest great energy in delivering projects in this city and beyond that are beautifully conceived and finely crafted. We respond to our clients’ needs by designing projects in a tailored and hands-on way, collaborating with people that we know and trust.

Please feel free to contact us here at MSA to chat about your ideas and to arrange your consultation.

PRIVACY POLICY

WHO WE ARE

Chris Brown-Colbert - A Manchester School of Architecture alumnus and specialist in the re-modelling and re-use of existing buildings and spaces. After completing his education at Kingston University, Chris became an Associate at Harrison Ince Architects after four years of service restoring and conserving Grade ll listed buildings within the leisure sector.

Chris then moved onto Ollier Smuthwaite Architects in 2014. As a result he led a number of highly bespoke premium quality residential projects in Manchester, dealing with both new build and refurbishment schemes.

In 2018 Chris was the first of 8 architects who made the move to experience the contractor side of working. He set up an in-house design team, forming a unique approach to delivering housing association, private new build and restoration projects. Chris has an instinctive ability to see potential in existing structures, and through his typically lateral approach, often produces innovative and unexpected designs that challenge preconceptions.