Some artists create sculptures, while Matthew Simmonds seems to carve entire worlds into stone. The artist, who has years of experience as an architectural stone carver, creates miniature architectural spaces filled with arches, columns, stairways, domes, and quiet interiors that feel almost impossible to shape by hand. His works often look like fragments of ancient temples, cathedrals, or hidden sacred spaces, all revealed inside solid blocks of stone.
Bored Panda readers may remember Simmonds from a feature we published years ago, and since then, he has continued to refine his remarkable craft. His newer pieces further explore the relationship between sculpture, architecture, light, and imagination, inviting viewers to look closely at every opening, shadow, and carved detail.
Scroll down to see some of his latest miniature architectural sculptures, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that impressed you the most.
More info: Instagram | mattsimmonds.com
#21 “Remnant Of Kings”
“This small sculpture was commissioned as a birthday present for a fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and represents a fragment of John Wastell's spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling from King's College Chapel, from 1515
Limestone, height 15cm.”
Report
6points
#24 “Gothic Passage With Sedilia”
“A newly finished small commissioned work, "Gothic Passage with Sedilia". Sedilia simply means seats in Latin, and in religious architecture refers to a series of alcoves with seats often set into the walls of Gothic churches.
This sculpture explores in a purposefully simple way a balance of symmetry and assymmetry, and of interior and exterior space, as a passage moves up through the stone between two repeating worlds on either side.
2025, limestone - Height 20cm”
Report
5points
#25 “That Which Remains”
“Creating a fragment of a repeating pattern of identical classical domed spaces, this sculpture is more open than most and is conceived without any particular front or back, to be viewed from any angle.
Statuary marble, height 34 cm.”
Report
5points
#26 “Rotunda Iv”
“This recent sculpture explores a series of interconnected circular spaces around a central colonnaded space. I have left more than usual of the natural stone surface so that it’s possible to see the original form of the rock in its entirety, creating the idea of the natural solid stone and the architectural space as two separate and complete worlds coexisting.
Carrara marble, height 17.5cm.”
Report
5points
#27 “Chapter House V”
“My latest work, “Chapter House V,” based on the unique architectural form of the English and Scottish Gothic cathedral chapter houses.
Limestone, height 32cm.”
Report
5points
#28 “Four Classical Studies: Corinthian”
“Corinthian is the classical order I've generally been using the most, as it tends to evoke a good presence and feeling of power. In keeping with that thought this sculpture moves on to a more Imperial Roman expression compared to the previous two.
Statuary marble, height 37cm.”
Report
5points
#29 “Basilica Vii”
“The first in a series of four sculptures “Four Gothic Tales,” commissioned for a new hotel, now on their way to the client.
In this piece I've been inspired by the earliest Gothic architecture in the Isle-de-France region.
Limestone, height 31cm.”
Report
5points
#31 “Basilica Vi”
“The second of two sculptures delivered recently to the same client. I miss them all when they go away, but some more than others. This is one of those!
Carrara marble, height 34cm.”
Report
5points
#34 “Ambulatory V”
“I wanted to keep the architectural detailing quite bold and simple here, despite the space being on two levels. This was in part inspired by the simple Romanesque interior of St John's chapel in the tower of London.
Faxe limestone, 2026, height 52cm.”
Report
5points
#36 “Lonja”
“The second in the series Four Gothic Tales. The lonja is a type of Gothic market hall seen in Spain, typically a simple squared space often with elaborate vaulting carried by slender columns.
Limestone, height 36cm.”
Report
4points
#37 “Four Classical Studies: Ionic”
“The second in a series of sculptures commissioned for the cruise ship Vista, “Four Classical Studies: Ionic.”
Statuary marble, height 36.5cm.”
Report
4points
#38 “Four Classical Studies: Doric”
“One in a series of four sculptures commissioned for a restaurant onboard the new Oceania cruise ship Vista. The four pieces had to fit within a certain size format, and are quite narrow for their height. This lead me to decide to carry out a project I first had an idea for many years ago, a series of simple compositions each in one of the different classical orders, with the idea to bring out something of the unique qualities of each order. This is the first, “Four Classical Studies: Doric.”
Statuary marble, height 37cm.”
Report
4points
