With experience in building surveying, conservation, and neighbourly matters, the practice's cross-disciplinary background combines creativity with technical expertise. This enables them to deliver projects that are both innovative and practical.
BAS Architects works across a variety of scales, from saunas and extensions to new-build homes and masterplans. Regardless of size, their projects are rooted in context and shaped by a collaborative process that makes the journey as rewarding as the result.
As a design-led studio, BAS Architects focuses on the unique details that define each project, guided by principles of beauty, functionality, sustainability and craftsmanship.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve got coming up and why?
One of the most exciting projects on our drawing board is a five-acre site in Surrey where we’ve been working for the past year and are now preparing to submit for planning. The site will provide around 70 build-to-rent homes alongside a new community building. It’s an incredible opportunity to transform a neglected grey-belt site, historically plagued by dumping and burning, into a vibrant and valuable space for the local community.
This project deliberately steps away from the "noddy house" aesthetic so common in new-build developments. Instead, we’ve focused on creating a design that balances contemporary architecture with a genuine respect for the local vernacular. Too often, larger housebuilders lean on pastiche designs, choosing imitation over authenticity; but why aren’t we striving to create more architecture that reflects the time we live in?
Through well-proportioned layouts, characterful homes, and the use of high-quality materials with thoughtful detailing, we are designing spaces that bring people together. This development is about fostering interaction, encouraging a sense of belonging, and moving away from the impersonal, mass-produced aesthetic, and isolating layouts that dominate so much of today’s housing.
In close collaboration with our client, we’re adopting the build-to-rent housing model, inspired by successful approaches in Denmark and across Europe, which prioritise longer-term tenancies and more affordable rents. This approach aims to provide residents with greater security and stability and vibrant communities that flourish.
As architects, we recognise our responsibility to address the housing crisis in meaningful ways. This project is about far more than designing and delivering new homes—it’s about fostering a stronger, more connected community. Through thoughtful, sustainable design, we’re reimagining what housing can be and striving to make a real, lasting impact.
What do you think is the most important issue for architects to focus on right now, and what are you doing as a practice to tackle it?
One of the most pressing issues for architects today is the environmental impact of construction and how we - as a profession - can work more sensitively with our sites and materials to create truly sustainable designs. We are deeply committed to this ethos, and our projects reflect a considered approach to sustainability and resourcefulness.
For instance, in our woodland sauna project, we worked closely with the client to use fallen trees from their estate as the superstructure. By repurposing materials already on-site, we minimised the need for imported resources, reducing both cost and carbon impact. Additionally, we used vegetation from the surrounding area to enhance insulation, lowering energy use while limiting the amount of new material required. The sauna was also designed with minimal footings and foundations to reduce use of concrete and ground disturbance, and protect the woodland ecosystem.
Similarly, for our recent new-build timber-frame dwelling integrated into a historic stone ruin, we prioritised retaining as much of the existing fabric on-site as possible. Stone salvaged from the site was repurposed to rebuild a wall within the home, seamlessly blending old and new. The cladding and structure was crafted from locally sourced timber, reducing transport emissions and supporting local economies.
These projects demonstrate our commitment to working sensitively with materials and their context, whether through reusing existing elements, sourcing materials locally, or designing in a way that minimises impact. For us, tackling these challenges is not just about reducing carbon—it’s about creating meaningful, sustainable designs that are grounded in place and truly respond to their environment.
What benefits have you experienced from becoming a RIBA Chartered Practice?
Becoming a RIBA Chartered Practice has been a meaningful step for BAS Architects, aligning with our values and helping us strengthen our standing as an emerging studio. One of the key benefits has been the reassurance it provides to clients.
At the beginning in 2022 as a new practice, being part of RIBA gave our clients confidence that we operated to a recognised standard and adhered to a code of conduct, which was been invaluable for securing new work.
The access to RIBA resources has provided us with consistent support in our daily operations. Whether it’s the professional services contract, guidance on contracts, updates on regulations, or templates for project processes, these tools have helped us maintain a level of professionalism and efficiency that might otherwise take years to establish. We’ve also found the specialised courses offered by RIBA to be incredibly valuable.
Our team has attended the RIBA Conservation and Heritage course, which has deepened our understanding of preserving and adapting historic buildings. This training has influenced how we approach our heritage projects. We have also undertaken RIBA Principal Designer training. This has equipped us with the knowledge and skills to ensure our projects are in full compliance with the latest safety and regulatory standards, enhancing both our practice's capabilities and our clients' confidence in our approach to health and safety.
Perhaps what we’ve valued most is the sense of belonging to a wider professional community. As a growing studio, being part of RIBA has connected us to peers and allowed us to contribute to the profession. Our Director, Byron Bassington, has recently joined RIBA's Student Mentoring Scheme, giving back to the next generation of architects and helping them navigate the early stages of their careers.
Do you think the use of AI has a big impact in your practice?
We’ve incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Midjourney, into our design workflow, particularly in the early stages of project conception for idea generation and testing.
This year, we plan to explore and test new platforms and applications for converting sketches into rendered images and 3D models, optimising spatial layouts, and more. We’ve always been strong advocates for integrating modelling and visualisation into the design process early and AI could make that process even more efficient.
AI has the potential to revolutionise the design process, extending beyond text-to-imagery to make critical analysis and improvements in building performance, focused on environmental impact and local conditions, more accessible and cost-effective. The most significant impact of AI on the industry is still ahead of us.
How have recent regulatory changes affected the role and relevance of architects in the industry?
The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 has had a profound and lasting impact on the profession leading to significant regulatory changes to improve building safety. The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) introduced new duty holder roles, placing a much greater emphasis on competence and compliance of Architects which saw our responsibilities expanded. This new legal framework now places Architects as central figures in managing and mitigating safety risks, making the profession essential in safeguarding both the built environment and its occupants. The lessons learned from Grenfell must continue to shape the way we work, encouraging a culture of accountability, transparency and rigorous standards in the design and construction of buildings.
We recently attended RIBA's Principal Designer course which was invaluable in providing a deeper understanding of the new regulatory landscape - particularly in relation to the BSA and its implications for architects - and equipping us with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of compliance in an evolving regulatory environment.
