MArch, BFA

A native of the Pacific Northwest with Montana roots, Ben brings a blend of regional insight and architectural pragmatism to his work. His educational path began with studies in marketing and public relations at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Oregon, where he graduated Cum Laude with a specialization in Ecological Design Systems. His academic pursuits were distinguished by several student AIA awards, a three-year tenure as a Graduate Teaching Fellow, and the prestigious selection for the Ghost Residency program at MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects.

Ben is the Director of US Operations and a Project Architect at MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, leading the firm’s U.S. engagements from the Portland, Oregon office. His informed approach to architecture ensures that projects across the United States and Canada embody a profound connection with their environment and honor architectural traditions. Ben's design philosophy centers around the belief in a kind of architecture that aims to make lasting connections with the land. He believes that you can learn a lot about how to build from what's already there and what's come before.