Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 34
Occupation: Architect, designer, and founder of EBBA.
Instagram: @benniallan and @ebbaarchitects
Hometown: Alfaz del Pi, on the eastern coast of Spain.
Studio location: London.
Describe what you make: I always say that my ambition is to make beautiful things, whether that’s a building, an object, or a piece of furniture.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: The Low Collection that I launched with Beton Brut was not only the first series of furniture I ever launched, but also the coming together of many interests and experiences. From being lucky enough to live and absorb the cultures of China and Japan, through to my keen interest in the connection between architecture and making, the design of sculptural objects is something that draws it all together.
Describe the problem your work solves: I believe in doing more with less and the ability to make work that connects with people. Each of us have a different understanding of the world around us and some think that good design needs to be loud or expensive. I’m interested in finding ways of doing simple things really well and solving things in inventive ways.
Describe the project you are working on now: We are very fortunate to be working on the home of the late Georgie Wolton, a restoration of a 1970s modernist house in Belsize Park, London. Wolton was one of the original members of Team 4 before she went on to have a solo career. The house is a testament to her drive to explore ideas about light, materials, and the landscape. Our involvement has been to understand the changes that she made over the years and to restore it in a way that gives it a new lease on life.
We’re also working on a new “Listening Bar” in Clerkenwell that aims to create one of the highest-quality spaces to experience music through clever and innovative material use. We also completed the design for Bermondsey-born contemporary coffee house WatchHouse’s new concept store in Fenchurch Street. Our design looked to create a space that showcases the art of coffee making whilst elevating the customer experience. Drawing inspiration from the modernist architectural features of lobbies found in civic buildings, we envisioned the store as bold yet inviting space. Echoing the clean lines and grid patterns characteristic of Miesian structures, we also introduced sculptural objects throughout to help demarcate space.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: The exhibition design for the photography collection of Elton John and David Furnish, which opens in May at the Victoria & Albert Museum. The show, titled “Fragile Beauty,” is the first of its kind at the institution. We have been working closely with the curators to create an ambitious show that connects with the themes of each of the nine gallery spaces.
Furniture-wise, I’ve been working on a new group of objects called Silo with Uma Objects, one of which was showcased at Alcova in Miami and will soon be launched together with new pieces in September to coincide with the London Design Festival.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Weekly studio lunches are a key part of our studio. Once a week, one person takes a turn to prepare lunch for the rest of the team. It reminds me of the importance of eating together that was so integral to my upbringing in Spain.
What you do when you’re not working: Since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with music. Outside of work, I will spend hours finding and making music, including adding to the collection of vinyl that has been growing since I was 15.
Sources of creative envy: This changes, but at the moment I am enjoying a renewed appreciation of Carlo Scarpa.
The distraction you want to eliminate: Algorithms.
Concrete or marble? Concrete.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse, as I’m very lucky to call one home in Spain.
Remember or forget? Always remember. Forget means to regret.
Aliens or ghosts? Can I say neither?
Dark or light? Light, as without it we wouldn’t survive.
Portrait photography by Salva Lopez.
