Unified by clay: our space as your third place

We’ve fostered a space where diverse creatives can make connections and find cheerful companionship.

Recently, we were contacted by Leeds filmmaker Michael McClay. He asked us to be part of a personal project exploring the third places of Leeds: what they are, why they’re important, and what their presence means to the people who use them. 

Third places are social surroundings. They’re not home or the workplace, but somewhere like a café, bookshop or, of course, a studio like ours. Though third places can include bars and restaurants, they’re often spaces away from drinking and alcohol. Instead, they’re about friendship, fraternity and conversations – resulting in togetherness that comes from feeling at home somewhere. 

For our members, that third place is with us at Sunken Studio. Supported by some of their words, we’ll tell you what the studio means to our makers and what you’ll find here if you join us, too. 

Share your space with others

Step into Sunken Studio and you’ll find yourself amongst likeminded people. It’s a place where you can spark conversations and foster friendships with whoever happens to be here. We’re a group bound by shared interests and a willingness to support each other.

At Sunken Studio, everyone is equal. There’s no attachment to status or ‘worth’. Instead, we engage with personalities, looking to the person beyond and beneath first impressions and accepting everyone for who they are. 

“You know you’ll walk into a room full of likeminded people. It’s a sort of collective concentration of peace.”

Sue Turrell

Slow and easy relaxation 

Our boundaries between home and work are often blurry. At the studio, there’s a designated third place, fostering social encounters on neutral ground. In your space amongst other creatives, you’ll uncover that vital engagement with others, which has lately been lost for many. 

Those connections are always there for you. Some of our members may be making in their own space of silence. Others might be sharing stories or a helping hand. Yet you’re always free to be as you wish. We value independence and autonomy, and your choice for escapism. There’s no pressure on you or on your time.

“Sunken Studio is kind, curious and calm. There’s a physical separation between work, hobby and home, which is important to me.”

Alice Hardman

A sense of neighbourhood

Sunken Studio’s social aspects are led by our regular members interacting organically (though we also host some organised events throughout the year). There’s a real sense of ebb and flow, with members arriving at the studio at different times of the day. There’s always the opportunity to spark conversation. 

Building a place that becomes a true fraternity takes time. We’ve reached that point where our third place is one focussed on friendship. In the future, we'd like to open in the mornings, too. We’ll get to that in time, when it has meaning for our members who’d benefit from joining us earlier in the day. 

“There’s freedom to try things out without judgement [and] release my creativity, with a fantastic, knowledgeable team who are on hand whenever I need help.”

Lee Simmonds

Joining a membership space might be a new step for you. At Sunken Studio, we welcome everyone. Remember: every regular was once a newcomer! You’ll find your third place with us, with no pressure, a chance to spark a little conversation, and a helping hand on your making journey. 

Watch Michael’s film to see what it means to join us in a space where you can come, be and make with flexibility and freedom.