Xan joined Orms in 2025, bringing a distinctive blend of material research, architectural training and urban design expertise. His academic career at the Bartlett has been marked by consistent excellence, winning multiple prizes, a published dissertation and work exhibited at the Royal Academy on numerous occasions. His professional background includes teaching at the Bartlett, architectural practice at James Gorst Architects and working as a Design Advisor at Design South East, where he managed design review panels and developed a comprehensive understanding of the planning context.
What does ultrapractical mean to you? Ultrapractical architecture means embracing a holistic understanding of sustainability that doesn't see buildings and materials as objects, rather as part of an evolving time-based practice. This means thinking about what our spaces mean - in the past, present and future - to ensure that everyone and everything within them is cared for. My research is looking at broadening the practice's approach to sustainability to also consider social impact and ask – what kind of relationship might people have with the production and use of a building? How can a building give back? In other words, how can buildings be 'forever generous'?