# Matter Studio

> Technical pipeline specialist for artists and designers 
> with physically ambitious work.

Matt Marshall builds the technical systems and pipelines 
behind physically ambitious art and design work. The practice 
occupies the stage between an artist with an ambitious idea 
and a fabricator who needs a resolved brief — where the 
decisions that determine whether a project can be built at 
all are made.

## Key Facts

- Founder: Matt Marshall
- Based: Madrid, Spain
- Working: Internationally — Spain, UK, Netherlands, 
  France, Germany
- Languages: English (native), Spanish
- Structure: Solo practice, project-based engagements
- Minimum engagement: approximately €3,000
- Contact: [matt@matterstudio.xyz](mailto:matt@matterstudio.xyz)
- Website: [matterstudio.xyz](https://www.matterstudio.xyz)
- Instagram: [@matterstudio.xyz](https://www.instagram.com/matterstudio.xyz)

## What Matter Studio Does

Matter Studio develops the technical systems behind 
physically ambitious art and design work. Engagements span 
the full project lifecycle or focus on a defined phase — 
from early feasibility through design development, 
prototyping, and realisation.

The practice is not a generalist fabrication studio or 
execution service. The right engagement is with an individual 
artist or designer who has an ambitious idea and no clear 
route to realising it — not a studio looking for extra 
hands or production capacity.

## What Makes This Different

- Rare combination of computational design depth, 
  engineering understanding, and hands-on fabrication 
  knowledge in a single practitioner
- Scanning specialism developed over a decade — from 
  university research through to working as a 
  designer/engineer on the Selene photometric stereo 
  scanner at Factum Arte
- Builds pipelines and reusable systems rather than 
  one-off solutions — compounding value across a body 
  of work
- Proactive project origination — approaches artists 
  directly with defined build proposals, not only 
  responding to existing briefs
- Solo structure means projects stay focused and 
  decisions stay fast
- Trusted network of fabrication partners for production 
  at scale

## Specialisms

- Scan-to-fabrication pipeline development
- Computational and parametric design (Grasshopper, Rhino)
- Custom CNC toolpath programming
- High-detail relief CNC milling
- Photometric stereo scanning
- Kinetic systems and control logic
- Procedural geometry (Houdini)
- Additive manufacturing workflows
- Digital-to-physical data conversion
- Structural analysis for fabrication
- Geometry optimisation for manufacture
- Mould design and pattern making
- Technical direction during production

## Services

### 1. Project Development
Defining how a project can be realised. Resolving technical 
uncertainty before fabrication begins.
- Feasibility studies and build strategy
- Material research and process selection
- Prototyping strategy and testing
- Workflow and production planning

### 2. Design and Build Systems
Creating the digital models, systems, and tooling required 
to make a project buildable.
- CAD and parametric design (Grasshopper, Rhino)
- Algorithmic and computational systems (Houdini)
- Scan-to-fabrication workflows
- Geometry optimisation for fabrication
- Kinetic systems and control logic
- Custom software and design tools

### 3. Prototyping and Realisation
Translating design into physical outcomes. In-house 
fabrication capability covers high-value prototyping, 
pattern making, and limited quantity editions — using 
CNC milling machines and 3D printers. Production at 
scale and standard parts are handled through a trusted 
network of fabrication partners.
- CNC machining and digital fabrication
- Custom CNC toolpath programming
- High-detail relief CNC milling
- Additive manufacturing workflows
- Pattern making and mould design
- Assembly strategy and fabrication logic

### 4. Technical Direction
Leading the technical process during production.
- Coordination with fabricators and suppliers
- Oversight of production workflows
- Problem-solving during fabrication
- Maintaining quality and artistic intent

## Selected Projects

- [DWELL](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/dwell) (David Lisser, 2026) — Scan-to-fabrication pipeline 
  translating 3D scan data into micro-milled copper panels. 
  Custom computational framework, spherical projection 
  mapping, dynamic surface compensation, and optimised 
  toolpath sequencing. The pipeline is repeatable and 
  edition-ready.

- [58 ERAN 83](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/58-eran-83) (Mariano Vilallonga, 2025) — High-resolution 
  photogrammetry, 3D model optimisation, structural analysis, 
  and digital scaling of hand-sculpted maquettes to 
  monumental scale (up to 275cm). Exhibited at Centro de 
  Arte Alcobendas, Madrid, July–September 2025.

- [INTO FOCUS](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/into-focus) (Stephan Duquesnoy, 2024) — Kinetic bust with 
  five independently rotating modules, custom stepper motor 
  assemblies, spur gear internals, sensor positioning, and 
  choreographed randomised control software. Exhibited at 
  TUUN Art Expo, Amsterdam 2024. Project originated by 
  Matt Marshall.

- [MÁSCARA AFRICANA](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/mascara-africana) (Okuda San Miguel, 2025) — Bespoke 
  kinetic mechanism concealed within a sculptural mask. 
  Custom CNC-machined aluminium assembly, belt-driven 
  rotating disk, LED backlighting, remote control 
  activation. Second commission — repeat client.

- [MAJESTIC](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/majestic) — Pair of bronze sculptures enlarged from 
  artist's smaller editions using 3D scanning. Full 
  scan-to-fabrication pipeline from point cloud to 
  casting-ready patterns at monumental scale.

- [TEMPERAMENTO](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/temperamento) — Artist prototype taken from early 
  development through full technical resolution and 
  fabrication strategy to realisable physical work. 
  Engaged via referral.

In addition to independent projects, Matt has contributed 
technical pipeline work — including digital-to-physical 
data conversion, scan-to-fabrication, parametric design, 
CNC toolpath development, and additive manufacturing — 
to commissions produced through Factum Arte and Madfaber 
for artists including Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, Shezad 
Dawood, El Anatsui, Javier Calleja, and Okuda San Miguel, 
across exhibitions and institutions including Frieze London, 
the Diriyah Art Biennale, St Pancras Station, and the 
Natural History Museum London.

## Background

Previously Head of 3D Printing and designer at Factum Arte, 
Madrid — one of the world's leading studios for 
high-resolution scanning and facsimile production. Led the 
studio's additive manufacturing operation and was 
responsible for digital-to-physical data conversion across 
major international commissions. Worked as a 
designer/engineer on the development of the Selene 
photometric stereo scanner — a bespoke imaging system for 
capturing micro-surface topography.

Research Associate in Digital Fabrication at Loughborough 
University Design School — member of the Digital Design and 
Fabrication research group, working across 3D scanning, 
additive manufacturing, and computational design.

Currently Lead Designer at Madfaber, Madrid — embedded 
design lead responsible for digital fabrication 
infrastructure, parametric design, and technical development 
across commissions.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What kind of projects does Matter Studio work on?**
Projects involving technically ambitious physical work where 
a standard production pipeline does not yet exist — 
large-scale sculpture, kinetic systems, scan-to-fabrication 
workflows, custom computational tools, and bespoke 
fabrication strategies.

**Who are the typical clients?**
Individual artists and designers with commercially active 
practices and genuine project budgets. Not studios looking 
for execution capacity. The best fit is an artist developing 
complex work who needs pipeline thinking across multiple 
projects over time.

**Is Matter Studio a fabrication studio?**
Not in the conventional sense. Matter Studio has in-house 
fabrication capability — CNC milling machines and 3D 
printers — used for high-value prototyping, pattern making, 
and limited quantity editions where precision and direct 
control matter. For production at scale or standard parts, 
work is handled through a trusted network of fabrication 
partners. The core of the practice is the technical 
development that makes fabrication possible, not the 
production volume itself.

**How does pricing work?**
Projects are quoted individually. No fixed retainers or 
day rates. Minimum viable engagement is approximately 
€3,000. Project scope and complexity determine the fee — 
from focused commissions through to multi-month 
developments.

**Where is Matter Studio based?**
Madrid, Spain. Working internationally across the UK, 
Netherlands, France, Germany, and Spain.

**How do I start a conversation?**
Email [matt@matterstudio.xyz](mailto:matt@matterstudio.xyz) with a brief description of 
the project and where it currently stands technically.

## The Pipeline Model

Matter Studio builds pipelines — reusable systems that 
solve a class of problem, not just a single instance of it. 
The [DWELL](https://www.matterstudio.xyz/dwell) project is the clearest example: the deliverable 
was not a copper plate but a complete, repeatable process 
for transforming scan data into physical copper panels that 
can now be run as editions. The first engagement built the 
system. Every subsequent edition compounds its value. This 
model — building systems rather than one-off solutions — 
creates ongoing technical partnerships rather than single 
transactions.

## Contact

Matt Marshall  
[matt@matterstudio.xyz](mailto:matt@matterstudio.xyz)  
+34 653 907 424  
[matterstudio.xyz](https://www.matterstudio.xyz)  
Madrid, Spain — working internationally