As part of our Hyphen Around the World series, we catch up with various members of our team to find out more about their international experience. We also ask for some tips – whether it’s about permitting advice, or a must-try local delicacy!
We recently interviewed Laura Vatteroni, an architect and associate at Hyphen, typically based in our Milan office.
1. What is a typical day like in your role?
Managing retail projects across all stages is a big part of my work. This usually includes drawings, collaborating with clients and consultants, visiting sites, and discussions with local councils.
2. What’s the most interesting place that you’ve ever visited for work?
New York. Our director in London, Alan, and I went to meet a client in New York. We were developing a framework with them for ten projects across the UK. I was the project runner and it was an introductory meeting to get to know the designer and team.
New York is an amazing city and I like my job because it allows me to travel so far and to see such amazing cities. The atmosphere and the skyscrapers were amazing.
I have also had the opportunity to work in Porto on more than one occasion.
3. What is your top local permitting tip?
Start early and think about what you’ll need ahead of time.
4. What is the best tool for staying in touch with your team?
Teams, for sure.
5. What’s the furthest you’ve ever traveled for a site visit?
The furthest in Italy is Catania, Sicily. It is not well connected to Florence, where I live, so it took almost 24 hours to visit a site there. I would wake up at 3:00am and return home at 1:00am the next morning. Travelling to a site in Catania was more complicated than New York or Porto.
6. What’s your favourite local delicacy?
In Florence there is panino con lampredotto, a sandwich made with the fourth stomach of the cow. It’s something that you don’t find elsewhere in Italy. It’s just from Florence and some parts of Tuscany and it’s amazing.
7. What do you consider a must have carry on essential?
The Kindle, iPad and phone charger.
8. What do you like to do outside of work?
I do agility with my dog and knitting, as well as a bit of gardening.
9. If you could deliver a project any place in the world, where would you deliver it?
America, or somewhere like Brazil or Mexico.