by Kristen West
Submaterial blends precision with natural warmth, bringing both style and serenity to everyday spaces
INSIDE A SPACIOUS, converted Montessori school in Albuquerque, design and fabrication happen under one roof. Here, every cut of felt and cork becomes part of a larger story— one that balances modern architecture, sustainability and the warmth of human touch. Submaterial, a design and fabrication studio known for its modular wall art and acoustic panels, creates functional, sculptural pieces that enhance both home and work environments.
Founded by designer David Hamlin in 2006 in Seattle, the company expanded after Hamlin moved to New Mexico in 2012. Submaterial reflects New Mexico’s bold light and vivid landscape through its use of natural textures and refined geometry. Hamlin has always had an affinity for clean, beautiful architecture, and he ensures that each product is made thoughtfully by hand by his small, talented team.
Hands-on care and creative problem-solving are central to the process. For sizing team lead Olyvia Mathews, that approach is part of what makes Submaterial unique. “Our processes heavily rely on skillful, practiced hands,” she says. “We use machine assistance for accuracy and efficiency, but nothing is done without human-centered efforts. People can notice and maneuver around the subtle variations in a way machines just can’t detect.”
Mathews describes her work as a mix of geometry and artistry, where precision meets creativity. “I want people to be enchanted by the juxtaposition of the sharp lines that are made with such soft and textured materials,” she says. “It creates this really pleasing visual effect of being both clean and cozy.”
Submaterial’s collections range from wall panels and acoustic art to room dividers and cork accessories. While the company’s work appears in high-end offices and hospitality spaces across the country, much of its appeal lies in residential interiors. Among residential favorites is the Divvy Collection of room divider screens, which bring textured, soft acoustic separation to open-plan spaces. Another standout is the brand’s wall panels, which turn wool felt and cork into sculptural art that doubles as sound-absorbing decor.
Designer Owen Schwab helps steer the studio’s creative process, shaping the look and feel of each new product, starting with a basic hand sketch and, in jest, what he describes as illegible, chaotic notes. “It then gets more technical inside the design software, some hand modeling and prototyping before the broader product development,” he says. Schwab explains that Submaterial’s distinctiveness comes from a balance between its products feeling architectural and clean, while also soft and welcoming, thanks to the handmade feel and use of natural materials. “We have a lot of agency and the ability to develop fun ideas, fun patterns, fun materials and the space to investigate them,” he says. “We also have a good corporate culture and a great team of people.”
Thanks to Hamlin’s original vision, sustainability is also central to Submaterial’s philosophy. The company sources cork from Portugal through a carbon-neutral process and uses domestically felled woods and full-grain, vegetable-tanned leathers where possible. To minimize emissions, it uses water-based, low-VOC adhesives. The team plans every project carefully to minimize waste, donating leftover pieces to artists and community projects and partnering with recycling firms like TerraCycle to process materials that can’t otherwise be used.
That same sense of responsibility carries through to every design. Whether shaping a serene home office divider or a largescale installation in a corporate lobby, Submaterial’s mission remains the same: to make spaces feel calmer, more intentional and undeniably human.
