Emmaus Partnership
A past pupil of Downside School in Somerset has said it was “very special” to be invited to design bespoke furniture for the Catholic independent school’s Sixth Form Centre.
At the age of eight Matt Podesta fell in love with woodworking during after school classes. His enthusiasm continued to grow and he was wholly encouraged at senior school to pursue his passion for designing and making. This took him to art college and subsequently to university where he gained a degree in Industrial Design and Manufacture of Furniture. Following a move to London, Matt then designed for many well known design firms – including Habitat, Tom Dixon, Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson – before establishing his own company in 2002.
Matt started Huckleberry with his wife Claire in 2020 to fulfil their aim of designing and manufacturing furniture that is British through and through. He is passionate about vernacular architecture, taking inspiration from historical houses as well as more humble dwellings which demonstrate a natural beauty both in their design and execution. Traditional techniques and materials are often used in Matt’s designs and form a basis for his love of all things natural.
Matt has won many awards and accolades over the years for his designs and has collaborated with many well known designers and architects. Influences stem from Charles Voysey and Edwin Lutyens to Terence Conran. He sits on the Worshipful company of Furnituremakers’ Bespoke Guildmark Committee and enjoys speaking about furniture design, judging awards and mentoring young designers.
Downside School has said that it has “been incredibly fortunate” that Matt Podesta undertook the commission to create the stunning furniture for the new Sixth Form Centre.
“The beautifully crafted furniture has been carefully designed with a clear and careful aesthetic that reflects its history, whilst addressing the current needs of Sixth Form pupils,” the school said.
Matt Podesta said, “As a past pupil, being asked to design the new Sixth Form Centre at Downside has been very special for me. The spark that ignited my interest in furniture design and woodwork began during my time at Downside, where I was wholeheartedly encouraged to follow my passions. Having spent my career designing bespoke furniture, I now run Huckleberry with my wife Claire where we are privileged to work in many buildings of historical importance, Downside being a particular highlight. Our youngest, Freddie, is in the Upper Sixth at the school.
“Designing oak furniture for the Sixth Form Centre, I felt it was important to complement Francis Pollen’s 1960s architecture, whilst maintaining a sense of history and belonging in keeping with the architecture of the school as a whole. I hope the furniture will be used by Downside pupils for generations to come and the environment will serve as a fitting transition between school and university.”
To learn more about Huckleberry please visit www.huckleberryhome.co.uk
Downside’s distinctive culture is built on its Catholic and Benedictine roots and supports the exploration of faith and spiritual growth within an inclusive and welcoming community.