Transforming the Renovation Industry with Unparalleled Structural and Design Knowledge: Hedgeford & Berkley

“At our core, we solve problems. We take a deep understanding into what the pain points are from our client, and then we take an engineering approach and get to the root of the problem."

Hedgeford and Berkley is a London-based design and build company founded in 2015 to address the rising needs in the renovation industry. The company pairs functional, high-quality building and renovations with luxurious, exceptionally thoughtful interior design. It has firmly established itself as a design and build firm that turns the traditional approach to construction and design on its head.

To highlight and further understand what Hedgeford & Berkley stands for and seeks to explore in this segment, I sat down with Martha Huk, who serves as the company's Chief Executive Officer.

Below is an excerpt.

Q. Why and how did you found Hedgeford & Berkley?

Early in my career, I was working as a design engineer, prototyping propulsion cooling systems for military vehicles. For years, I had one vision: create a better vehicle so our troops could come home safer. I left it all when I realized that the purpose of creating something remarkable was being overshadowed by the need to just "get something out". I saw firsthand what happens when people lose inspiration and morale to do great things. I realized that if management could not create a progressive place for me to work in, I would create a company that could. So I set out to build a company with the other skillset I had: renovating. I never set out to create the greatest design and build a firm; I set out to build the best company to work for. We just happen to be good at design and build.

Q. What makes Hedgeford & Berkley great? And how uniquely does the company address its customers' renovation needs?

Our clients ask for the extraordinary. They want to be wow'd when they enter their space, so we take the time to deeply understand what it takes to create that experience for them. We set audacious goals and figure out how to exceed them. We are uber committed to the cause. We operate as a boutique firm and work around the clock, which allows us to turn on a dime and pivot when our clients' needs require it. I think this addiction to client satisfaction has led us to be part of some incredible transformations.

Q. 'At Hedgeford & Berkley, our goal is to reimagine the entire design and build process.' Splendid. Would you like to elaborate on this a bit more?

Dreaming is one thing; executing is a whole other ball game. Understanding the effort it takes to bring a design to life allows us to iterate between what we want to create and what it will take to pull it off. We design structure into the designs as we develop the vision, so we don't get to the end and let someone else worry about the details. We are finding it rare to work with people who are obsessed with both the technical and creative aspects. We can't help it; we are addicted to all parts of the process.

Q. That's not all Hedgeford & Berkley does. What are your other focus areas?

At our core, we solve problems. We take a deep understanding of what the pain points are from our client, and then we take an engineering approach and get to the root of the problem. Most people feel uninspired by their spaces when they come to us. They have a vision of what they want it to be like but no idea how to get it there. Yes, we design, and yes, we build, but deep down, we focus on fixing the issues at hand so our clients can succeed.

Q. Let's talk about your team of experts and their role at Hedgeford & Berkley. How did you form your dream squad, and how unique is it?

Well, as the dreams of Hedgeford & Berkley become bigger, the need to always evolve the team comes with it. Our growth has been exponential to date, so we are always looking for the right strike between the technical and creative crew, but most importantly, we are always going to build the dream squad around people who can work towards a common goal and better each other through the process. I learned early in my career that you can not have passion without a skillset and, a skillset without passion is something we are not interested in. To find both the creative and technical minds out there is tough, and that's why we like to keep things to a boutique manner.

We don't shy away; we don't quit. When we set project goals with our clients, we push forward with high momentum, and if we hit a roadblock, we tackle it from an engineering perspective. We do root cause analysis and ask why, and live by 'why not'. Our clients value our relentless focus on getting them what they want. The challenge of lofty goals both motivates and energizes us.

Q. From your perspective, how is the industry you serve currently evolving? And what are the trends in the different categories?

It's easier now than ever to connect with the world in an instant. These connections bring collaborations to life much quicker and allow the dreaming and team working to propel projects forward like never before. It no longer matters which time zone you live in; work can flow and flourish better than ever. This not only benefits the design world but also allows the construction to keep up in leaps and strides.

Q. Will Hedgeford & Berkley be expanding, bringing on any services that we should be aware of?

Hedgeford & Berkley has expanded to serve clients globally. We once only took on projects where we were the authority on both the design and the build, but now we have expanded into collaborations where we work with bigger teams to pull off larger projects. This effort has allowed us to work regardless of geographical area. We can design from a distance and provide all of the technical installation drawings necessary to pull off the build. We have learned to seamlessly integrate with teams in other countries to build incredible projects.

Q. What plans for transformation are you pursuing to remain relevant now and in the future?

We are always pursuing how to create a smoother experience for our clients. Whether through offering deeper specializations or bettering our knowledge with available software, we are always bettering ourselves. Finding ways to bring visualization software to our clients quicker, more accurately allows us to bring our vision to design much easier.

The Visionary Leader Upfront

Martha Huk is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hedgeford & Berkley. She started the company in 2015 with a vision of bringing unparalleled synergy between the construction and design world. Her background as a mechanical engineer and early start in the military, gave her the strong sense of discipline and focus vital in launching and propelling the company to where it is today. She has led the company to win several, notable accolades including Global nominations and awards for both her designs and business strengths. She has been labeled as an industry gamechanger and we don’t see her slowing down any time soon.

“We operate as a boutique firm and work around the clock, which allows us to turn on a dime and pivot when our clients' needs require it. This addiction to client satisfaction has led us to be part of some incredible transformations.”