A thriving new architecture practise is celebrating its 100th commission – just nine months after being set up.
Hewitt and Carr Architects was set up after the owners found themselves unemployed in the wake of the collapse of well known Stoke-on-Trent practice Hulme Upright.
The decision to go it alone has paid off for Natalie Hewitt and Mark Carr as they have secured commissions for everything from house extensions to major contracts with well known companies.
The Cheadle based practise has recently worked on a loading bay extension for the headquarters of Wrights Pies in Crewe and won a contract to work in partnership with the Francesco hair and beauty chain.
And their 100th commission is a prestigious one – working with the pottery and giftware specialists Emma Bridgewater on a masterplan for land next to the company’s factory in Lichfield Street, Hanley.
“We have been working really hard as the demand for our services have far exceeded our expectations,” said Natalie.
“Traditional architects’ practices can seem a little stuffy and we have tried to do things differently by going out to regular networking meetings and using social media.
“It is fabulous to secure high profile clients like Emma Bridgewater and it’s great that they are keeping the work in the North Staffordshire area.”
Mark added: “We contacted Emma Bridgewater when we heard about the company’s ambitions to develop land around the factory.”
Mark and Natalie were among more than 25 people who lost their jobs as Hulme Upright, which had traded in North Staffordshire for 85 years, was placed into administration.
Mark, a lifelong Cheadle resident, added: “It was a big decision to go it alone but it has paid off and we will be looking to expand the team in the future.”
ENDS