Our Story
What we're made of
Material Archives is the expression of a collective belief in the power of the handmade. While we are stirred by the aesthetic and the creative, we are grounded by the history of the objects we document. Our mission is to build a slow archive that exists to preserve modern classics and ancient techniques alike.
Comfort and Joy
Our founding philosophies are at the core of everything we document. We will always strive for sublime simplicity and sustainable craftsmanship; to celebrate timeless future heirlooms; and to provide daily doses of much-needed comfort and joy.
But above everything is consideration, kindness, and consciousness in all we do, say, and make. We believe that before you can value an object, you must understand its origin.
Designs to Endure
"I've always had a thing for older pieces. I like things that wear well, that feel nostalgic somehow, and that have something special about them that makes you want to keep them safe and pass them on. - Founder's Note"
As a collective, we are committed to preserving heritage through care, documentation, and long term relationships with makers. We are interested in quality, weight, and the handmade not as aesthetic choices, but as values shaped by time and use. Material Archives exists to honour practices built on patience and skill, and to support a culture of making that values longevity over immediacy. The objects and stories we document are rooted in trust, continuity, and the belief that what is made with care should be allowed to endure.