Stories | The Forum | In the lift with: Archie of Rawside

Decorative image — In the lift with: Archie of Rawside
We joined Archie of Rawside for a lift ride and a visit to the brand's Shoreditch showroom to talk craftsmanship, sustainability and why good design is about more than aesthetics.
Find out more about Rawside

If you've spent any time in a Fora workspace, you've probably encountered Rawside's work without realising it. A meeting table where ideas are exchanged. A storage unit that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. A bespoke piece designed specifically for the rhythm of a building and the people who use it. Across Fora, Rawside's furniture forms part of the backdrop to everyday working life.

Based in East London, the British furniture maker has built a reputation around honest materials, thoughtful craftsmanship and a belief that sustainability is as much about longevity as it is about sourcing. Their pieces are designed to endure, both physically and aesthetically, resisting the cycle of constant replacement that defines so much of modern manufacturing.

For the final instalment of In the lift, we joined Archie, Rawside's Sales Director, at The Black & White Building before heading a few streets away to the company's Shoreditch showroom. Between conversations about furniture, craft and collaboration, one thing became clear: Rawside's approach isn't simply about making things. It's about making things thoughtfully.

Built to last

When asked to describe Rawside in three words, Archie doesn't hesitate.

"Local. Honest. Craft."

They're simple words, but they capture something central to the business. While many furniture manufacturers focus on volume and efficiency, Rawside remains deeply connected to the process of making: understanding materials, working alongside clients and creating pieces designed with longevity in mind.

Alongside a collection of meeting tables, workstations and storage solutions, the team regularly collaborates on bespoke projects, developing furniture tailored to a particular space and the people who use it.

It's those projects, Archie admits, that often become the most memorable.

"One of the nicest things about working with Fora is the opportunity to create something unique for a space. Those collaborations are always exciting because they're designed around how people will actually use them."

Across Fora's neighbourhood workspaces, Rawside's furniture is often so naturally integrated that it almost disappears into the experience of the building itself. Which, perhaps, is exactly the point.

Good design doesn't always demand attention. Sometimes it simply makes everything around it work better.

The value of craft

For Rawside, craftsmanship goes beyond aesthetics. It's about creating pieces that feel considered from every angle, whether that's the choice of materials, the joinery, or how a table supports moments of connection over the course of its lifetime.

When we ask Archie how he hopes people feel sitting at a Rawside table, he reflects on the invisible work behind every piece.

"I hope they can feel the time and care that's gone into making it. Every product is chosen for a reason, and ultimately it's there to make the environment and experience better for the people using it."

It's a philosophy that feels increasingly relevant in spaces designed for collaboration. The best furniture often fades into the background, creating the conditions for good work to happen without ever becoming the centre of attention.

Headspace, not boardrooms

Like many creative ideas, Rawside's best ones rarely arrive during scheduled meetings.

For Archie, inspiration tends to appear elsewhere. Usually halfway through a run. Occasionally, he admits, a couple of pints into a Friday evening.

It's a reminder that some of our best thinking happens when we stop trying to think altogether. Away from inboxes and notifications, ideas have room to surface on their own.

A space that tells the story

Later, in Rawside's Shoreditch showroom, surrounded by timber finishes, prototypes and familiar pieces, we begin to understand why the space means so much to the team.

Part showroom, part workspace, it's where designers, clients and collaborators experience the brand beyond a catalogue or specification sheet.

"It's the closest representation of who we are outside of the workshop," Archie tells us.

It's also where we meet Rawside co-founder Liz, who joins the conversation as it turns towards sustainability.

The sentiment feels aligned with Rawside's wider philosophy. Good design isn't just about creating beautiful objects. It's about understanding the choices behind them.

The details matter

Before leaving, we ask one final question. If there was one piece of furniture that best represented Liz, what would it be? The answer arrives immediately.

"Frank."

A Rawside design, but also, apparently, an accurate description.

"People tell me I'm very frank."

There's a lot to admire about Rawside's furniture. The craftsmanship. The materials. The attention to detail. But perhaps what stands out most is the mindset behind it. A willingness to collaborate. To question. To build things properly, and honestly.

The next time you settle into a meeting room, pull up a chair for a conversation or gather around a table with colleagues, take a closer look. There's a good chance a Rawside piece is quietly helping the moment happen.

"Don't just accept labels or tick-box statements. Ask what sustainability actually means. Ask where materials come from. Ask how something is made. Expect honest answers."

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