Slab - Coffee Table - M

Benni Allan is an architect, designer, and maker practicing between architecture and the visual arts, with a strong ambition of creating socially driven and experimental work. This ranges from installations and set design through to furniture and architectural projects. All of which is influenced by his experiences of growing up in Spain, and his time living in Asia. At the forefront of his studio’s work, EBBA, is a focus on making buildings that reflect a particular poetic and material ambition that carry meaning, and can have a direct emotional effect on the users. The work of his practice is defined by functional and elegantly crafted responses that employ inventive solutions to complex situations, always striving to test materials, construction techniques, proportion and form. Projects range from buildings and pavilions through to installations and furniture design, with recently completed commissions in the arts, fashion, retail and education sectors. Benni is also the cofounder of AORA, a virtual space and members platform that is interested in the way art and architecture can support care and wellbeing. In addition, Benni is a Design Lecturer at the University of Greenwich and acts as external critic at the Bartlett School of Architecture, Central Saint Martins and the Cass, with past experience of leading courses for the Bartlett Summer School. Widely exhibited and with growing recognition, Benni was recently awarded the coveted Young Architect of the Year award by Building Design (UK), as well as being featured in Platform Magazine's 40 under 40 and ‘Ground Breakers’ by Wallpaper Magazine; a special issue highlighting the forerunners of the next generation of architects. The first furniture collection (Low Collection) launched last year with Béton Brut (UK) was finalist in the Dezeen awards for best furniture and was recently showcased at Collectible Fair in Brussels.