I first became acquainted with the work of Michael and Patty Hopkins during my days at Oxford Brookes University. Michael gave a talk on the practice’s projects to the school one evening, and the work was rich with qualities that I enjoyed – the use of natural materials, context, scale and attention to detail, all in a modern way.

Early works, such as their house in Hampstead, the Patera system and Schlumberger Cambridge Research Centre were preoccupied with creating light and space using the least material, through repetition of standardised elements, a clarity of structure, and logical planning.

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