GRAS combined Scottish ash, concrete, and stainless steel to create the restrained and tactile interior of buff, a design-led manicure studio in Edinburgh. Sustainably sourced timber was layered with contemporary materials, transforming the Victorian stone-arched space into a refined and evocative environment. Custom-designed joinery pieces were carefully integrated to craft a harmonious interior that reflects the studio’s ethos and embodies a functional simplicity.

In light of ash dieback disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, which is projected to affect up to 75 percent of Scottish ash, the project provided an opportunity to engage thoughtfully with the ecological and ethical considerations of material selection. The sourcing and fabrication of the joinery was the result of a close collaboration with Edinburgh-based designer and maker Daniel Brophy, reinforcing a commitment to responsible craftsmanship.

The design balances material integrity and sensory experience, offering a quietly confident space that resonates with clients and visitors alike.