Associate
MArch
London, UK
Ben Kikkawa
Photograph by Frederic Aranda ©
Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu
Ben has played a key role in projects of all scales, from large-scale masterplans to small-scale furniture design. He develops 3D models that serve as a foundation for design and consultant teams, creating a platform for further refinement. With over a decade of experience, he integrates scientific principles — such as structural curves, acoustic reflections, sun and shadow analysis, and wind load — into architectural solutions.
Photograph by Virgile Simon Bertrand
Featured Projects
From a hotel that explores the balance between solid and void to a art centre that integrates three distinct cultural institutions for the city, discover highlights of Ben's notable projects at ZHA.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Ben received his Master of Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in the US, where he has taught as an Assistant Teacher. He has lectured at architectural institutions in London, Tokyo, and California.
With a multicultural background from Japan, California, and New Jersey, Ben’s philosophy centres on adapting ideas across contexts, and he believes an architect should bring their identity into their work. Beyond architecture, he enjoys product design and hand-sketching as daily exercises.
Projects
Explore a selection of projects Ben has contributed to since joining ZHA.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Offices
Powered by its solar array and equipped with next-generation technologies for operations at LEED Platinum standards, the new BEEAH Headquarters has been designed to achieve net-zero and will be the group’s management and administrative centre that sets a new benchmark for future workplaces.
Photograph by ©K.Arkatites
Civic
Heritage + Regeneration
Establishing Eleftheria Square as the city’s primary gathering space, ZHA design creates new connections intended to unite a divided capital. Nicosia’s massive Venetian fortifications separate the old city from its modern districts, while the city’s ‘Green Line’ divides the capital into two disparate communities.
Photograph by Virgile Simon Bertrand
Offices
Mixed Use
Located in the Linkong Economic Park within the Hongqiao Business Zone, served by its transportation hub with subway and rail, and close to Shanghai city centre and the airport, Sky Soho connects multinational, national and local enterprises with local residents.
Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoiu
Atrium
Hospitality
Home to the new ME Dubai hotel, the Opus is located in the Burj Khalifa district adjacent to Downtown Dubai and Business Bay on the Dubai Water Canal. Exploring the balance between solid and void, opaque and transparent, interior and exterior, the design was presented by ZHA in 2007. It is the only hotel in which the firm designed both the architecture and the interiors to such an intricate degree, including bathrooms and furniture within the scope.
Courtesy of ZHA, render by MIR
Start-up exhibition and conference centre
Masterplans
A mixed-use masterplan for 70,000 researchers, office staff, residents and visitors, Unicorn Island has been designed to enhance the well-being of its community; its design influenced by principles within the region’s historical natural engineering projects.
Render by Atchain
Culture
Mixed Use
A place of convergence and collaboration, the Yidan Center will be home to the Chen Yidan Foundation in its work to promote lifelong learning and innovation in education.
01
02
03
04
05
06