Benjamin Machin directs an architecture studio in east London, working across the United Kingdom and occasionally abroad. The studio finds beauty everywhere and likes making non-original, generous buildings.The studio is an RIBA Chartered Practice and is small by design, with Benjamin leading the design and management of each project. The practice is a signatory of both Architects Declare and the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. Alongside directing the studio, Benjamin is actively engaged as a visiting critic at various schools of architecture across the United Kingdom and has led a teaching studio at Loughborough University since 2021.Design starts by looking carefully at what is already there: the street, the ground, traces of use. These ordinary things carry meaning, and we take them seriously. We seek out what excites — buildings, objects or stories that can make this ordinariness feel newly alive.Benjamin has been selected for inclusion in New Architects 5, the Architecture Foundation’s definitive guide to Britain’s emerging architectural talent, due for publication in summer 2026.
Expertise
Loft conversions, Kitchens, Sustainable design, Joinery design, Extensions, Planning applications, Re-planning / Internal alterations, New builds, Accessible design
We approached Ben with the hope of creating our dream, new-build, paragraph 80 home on some family land. From the off, his strong design instinct and "no-stone-unturned" approach to the process has blown us away resulting in an incredibly beautiful, honed design which has taken into consideration everything we could possibly want.
From our initial brief onwards, the journey has been a joy. His initial design offering took into consideration every thought and reference we had provided and then went considerably beyond. Subsequent meetings saw the design progress, each one developing the concept and incorporating our small but important-to-us details relevant to how we will live in the property, from bedrooms to living space, recording studio to stables, each aspect has received it's due attention in the design.
Most importantly, Ben has made a "we'll only do this once" process easy and pleasurable. From over-seeing every aspect of the design and application process including ecology reports, to the design review panel, local authority planning departments and planning advisor through to the ecological, landscaping and zero carbon processes involved in such an application, he has calmly and professionally handled everything, keeping us informed as he goes.
We are so grateful to Ben for his calm approach and for designing our dream home.
Architect
Level of experience
5+ years experience
Registered architect
Yes
Location
Hackney, London
Distance preference
10 miles
Company type:
Practice
Preferred project Budget
£130,000 - £500,000+