Edward Dale-Harris

Founder + ARB Architect

ARB Architect, Permaculture Designer, founder of SAWA in 2014, Socially Active Workshop Architecture, in Rwanda while supporting a reconciliation project. Valuing nature based design and learning systems, re-birthing critically important indigenous and nature based wisdom in the complexity of modern day living systems given the climate change challenges we face. Knowing that it is possible to live happily and healthily in abundance.

Ed has developed a broad range of skills as an: architect, self builder, project manager, workshop leader, gardener, natural builder working in 10 plus countries and cultures across Africa, Asia and Europe. Now specializing in ecological retrofits, extensions, new homes, workshops, round houses, tiny homes, compost loos, community gardens and natural buildings from his homestead in mid Wales. With a love of the four elements and care for cycling and exchange of water, nutrients, carbon, nitrogen and minerals through each living system.

A hands-on / on-site architect/ regenerative systems designer. Working with locals trades and crafts people to make cost effective robust sustainable solutions that put, working holistically, people and planetary health at the center of every decision. Critically valuing and working with respect to the users and makers of these spaces, facilitating contemporary, grassroots and vernacular architecture.


In 2014 he founded SAWA with Enock Ruziga in Rwanda whilst working together on the 'a house for a victim' project. Reconcilaiton post Genocide.

In 2015 he received the ‘RIBA North West London Society Award’ at the CASS Design School for this project, nominated as the best live and community engaged project.

In 2016 he received the ‘RIBAJ Rising Star Cohort Award’ for We Yone School in the Ebola-affected region of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Enabling 180 of the most vulnerable children in the community to attend primary school.

Qualifying as an Architect in 2017 and has gained many awards for his designs, commitment, vision, compassion, charity work, environmental projects and peace building developments. The same year Ed completed a 14 day intensive residential (PDC) Permaculture Design Course in Thailand.

From 2017 to 2020 - SAWA was leading teams of volunteers, on charitable projects utilising local materials and labour and regenerative permaculture approach in creation of community spaces such as schools, orphanages, farms, small holdings, retreat spaces, in Senegal, India, Bulgaria, Cambodia and Thailand. The Agri Tech Centre, Cambodia won the AJ100 Best Collaboration of the Year Award with Squire and Partners, with the judges describing it as ‘an exceptional example of architectural practices doing charitable work in the developing world’.

From 2022 up until 2023, Ed has been living and working from his Tiny Home on farms across the UK, in Hampshire, Sussex, Cumbria and Herefordshire. Designing and building structures for private home owners and farmers. Typically barn conversions, tiny homes, compost loos, veg gardens and community farms.

Now based near Builth Wells, Mid Wales for the longer term, on his homestead. Balancing his time between, working as an architect, teaching permaculture design, homesteading, time with family and friends, and meditation retreats.