Lines of Craft: The Leather Wall Installation at Aldersgate
In collaboration with the talented team at MoreySmith, we crafted a bespoke leather wall installation for a landmark interior at Aldersgate. Designed to bring warmth, texture, and a sense of quiet sophistication to the space, the wall features meticulously hand-wrapped panels in rich pearlised, full-grain leather. The natural material adds depth and tactility, offering a refined contrast to the clean architectural lines of the surrounding environment.
We employed a traditional upholstery technique—piping—typically used to define seams or transitions in furniture design. Here, we reimagined it at architectural scale, applying hundreds of metres of continuous piping as a flowing ribbon across the expansive reception walls. At times converging, then diverging again, the piping traces dynamic paths across the surface, each line set within a tapered groove designed to subtly catch and play with the light. The result is both structured and organic—a layered narrative in leather that celebrates craftsmanship, movement, and material detail.
A Seamless Dialogue Between Craft and Space
From concept to installation, the Aldersgate leather wall was a true collaboration — a dialogue between material sensitivity and architectural vision. Working closely with MoreySmith, we translated the design intent into a language of layered precision, ensuring that every curve, corner, and intersection of the piping felt intentional and resolved.
The leather was not only chosen for its depth and tonal richness, but for its ability to soften acoustics and elevate the sensory quality of the space. Each panel was cut, wrapped, and installed by hand, with tolerances measured to the millimetre — a technical challenge made possible by our in-house team of craftspeople.
More than just a backdrop, the wall invites closer inspection — drawing the eye in with movement, then rewarding it with detail. It’s a quiet centrepiece, one that speaks not through statement, but through the lasting impression of care, tactility, and design integrity.
© 2025 Ed Tanner All rights reserved