Who we are.
Our work spans multiple scales from furniture and sustainable homes to public realm and artwork. Our process is rooted in understanding existing contexts and relationships in order to provide evidence-based, creative design responses that are equitable and cause minimal environmental harm. We take a considerate and caring approach to the people we work with, the places where we work and the people who use them. Co-design and co-creation play a fundamental role in our projects creating a symbiotic process allowing the team to share skills and knowledge whilst gaining new perspectives and inspiration by enabling the creative process of others.
Matt Hopkins
Architect
Matt is an Architect, Urban Designer and Educator with over 10 years experience working with public and private sector clients. He is the founding Director of Group 19 with a focus on design, research, engagement, collaboration, strategy and project management. He is one of five Chairs of the Hertfordshire Design Review Panel and assists the Council with specialist Planning Support. He also collaborates with the furniture and product design company Norwegian Wood, resulting in a design portfolio spanning multiple scales.
Before setting up Group 19, Matt worked on the design and delivery of award-winning public realm projects in Central London, developing an acute understanding of public spaces and how they can be improved.
Matt is a Design Studio Tutor at the University of Reading School of Architecture where he teaches one day a week. This is a symbiotic relationship helping to impart real-world knowledge to future professionals whilst ensuring the practice remains at the forefront of conceptual thinking and research.
Outside of architecture, Matt enjoys cycling, playing drums and enjoying life on the waterways with his partner and young daughter.
Rachael Hill
Studio Manager
Rachael works part time with a focus on operations, sales, book-keeping and communications.
Rachael previously worked for a Gallery in central London curating a number of exhibitions showcasing the work of underrepresented artists. She has previously worked within a horticultural company as a production manager helping to curate growbars, a grow your own seeded coir bar.
As a collaboration with Group 19, Rachael has set up Norwegian Wood designing and making bespoke furniture and products, operating from a shared design studio and workshop based in West London.
When not in the studio, Rachael balances caring for her young daughter with her love of sewing, visiting art galleries, and gardening at her local community farm.