Co-founded by Catrina Stewart and Hugh McEwen in 2013, Office S&M is an award-winning architecture practice with a varied portfolio. The studio has gained recognition for its inventive approach, participatory practice, collaboration, and experimentation with materials and colour to create drama.

The practice is founded on a belief that good design should deliver social value while providing joy and supporting wellbeing. This applies to the places people live, work, shop and just spend time together. Projects range from eye-catching houses to playful public realm, all of which is underpinned by detailed research and an understanding of regulatory processes. The secret to all of this is listening to clients and communities, forming a deeper awareness of needs and aspirations that leads to solutions.

Office S&M has developed extensive experience in town centre and placemaking projects, gained through involvement in every round of the GLA Outer London Fund, and working with one-third of the London boroughs. Civic work includes high streets, community centres and markets, incorporating the practice’s co-design process to build local capacity.

The practice’s accolades include: winning Building Design’s Young Architect of the Year Award (2020); inclusion in the Architects’ Journal 40 under 40 – a showcase of architecture’s brightest up-and-coming talent (2020) and the Architecture Foundation’s New Architects 4 publication (2021); and selection as a Rising Star by RIBA Journal (2019). The partners sit on the Hackney Design Review Panel, Newham Design Review Panel, Design Council Expert Panel, and Essex Quality Review Panel.