We spoke to Andreas Andreou from Hatch + Mason about current projects, post coronavirus opportunities and the story behind their name.

Tell us the background to Hatch & Mason – how and why it started?

Hatch + Mason was initially formed as a design consultancy and subsequently became an architectural practice. We always aim to deliver ambitious and bespoke designs tailored to each client’s lifestyle and the project’s immediate context. We fundamentally believe our input should never be seen as a luxury but more an intrinsic part of construction from concept through to completion. We pride ourselves on a turn key approach and managing our projects from briefing through to delivery.

Why is it called Hatch & Mason?

The idea behind the name is firstly to push the idea of a brand rather than individual. Hatch + Mason could be read as two surnames or it could be read more literally: to ‘hatch’ is to define a shaded area and a ‘mason’ would be a craftsman of stone. The idea behind this being that as the client you hatch the area and that we, as the craftsman then work within that.

What are you currently working on?

A barn conversion in Oxford, a new build house in Wimbledon, several house refurbishments and extensions, a primary school in South West London and a new nursery and nursing home mixed use scheme in Merton. Whilst many of these are on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak, we hope they will be reignited in the near future.

What has been your most exciting project to date?

Two new build passive houses in Portsmouth.

What’s the best thing about basing your business at Build Studios?

Networking and having like minded individuals from the built environment sector around you.

The Coronavirus outbreak has had a huge impact on the built environment sector. What opportunities do you see arising for the sector when things start to return to ‘normal’?

Potentially there will be greater flexibility to working patterns and remote working. For many people, who previously avoided this, remote working/conference calling has become the new norm in recent weeks. It’s not clear at this stage what further opportunities there may be as a result of the crisis, but one would hope not too many would have been lost as a result and that we can all bounce back from where we left off.