Martin Hopp Architect, New York: Educational, Friendly, Research.

Martin Hopp established the office in New York City in 2013. This design -led practice focuses on creating great experiences through collaborating closely with clients and construction teams. The firm blends a background of European design and American project management skills to create distinctive spatial experiences through a detailed understanding of the architectural process. The practice has quickly established a strong portfolio of built projects in three main typologies: commercial, educational, and residential. 

What the Martin Hopp studio maybe lacks in size, consisting of four people in one small office, it more than makes up for in location and energy. Being rooted in the Chelsea neighbourhood strikes a good balance between accessibility for clients and the team to get here. The building has a wonderful garden, which is used extensively to make models, meet and have lunch. 

People work here because they have an opportunity to learn how to draw, build and manage a project. “We offer people a lot of responsibility, ask them to solve problems and take care of things with me in the background to provide support as needed,” says Hopp. 

While most of the work takes place in one room, they try to make sure that the whole team has the opportunity to do site visits and see construction in action. Getting a well-rounded body of experience is the most important thing when you are just beginning in the profession; the firm tries to provide time to allow for career development. 

Technology drives the studio. An employee here will get the opportunity to cut their teeth on generating data that will impact the design of future projects while being enveloped in a culture of innovation. As the firm celebrates its first five years, this is a dynamic moment for a burgeoning practice embarking on its next chapter.