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Dan Benham

Architect featured in Building Dream Homes

I believe there is a difference between 'house' and 'home'.

I have been part of Loyn & Co Architects for almost 10 years. I have a passion for design, people, community and place at the heart. Now, as the youngest ever President of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, I have been part of many thought provoking exhibitions and talks that have allowed people to engage with the design community of Wales and ask key questions about the future of Welsh Architecture and what it means for the country.

My notions on architecture stem from simple place-making and spatial understanding. Enveloped in these curiosities is a passion for materiality and tectonics, to give them a meaning and an expression also to understand how buildings can weather and age gracefully as well as contribute to their surrounding environment. In the current climate developing a critical approach to sustainable living, communities and lifestyles is essential.

As the foundation of architecture, the places where we live are our mechanism by which we engage with family, neighbours, water, air, sun and sky. We need to create environments that give people a sense of health and well-being — a reason to get up in the morning. Light, our ever-constant design tool can be articulated simply to animate spaces that make the hairs on the back of your head stand up. Designs should be embedded in the site, connecting to their surroundings and working with the surrounding landscape.