The starting point of this new architecture was that
child's bed. Dean's research for the project highlighted one central
theme that became the basis for all his future designs. He questioned
dozens of children about what they liked or disliked about their beds
and bedrooms. Again and again, when they spoke of discomfort they were
referring not to the softness of the mattress but the "feel" of the
room. They said they were afraid of spaces under the bed, where monsters
might lurk, or shapes made by clothes hanging on the back doors or highly
patterned wallpapers. When asked what they would like, the children
described caves or tent-like structures. They wanted to be enclosed;
hidden from view but able to see out. In other words, in order to feel
comfortable they had to feel safe.
The key to Roger Dean's architecture is this strategic
control of space. To be comfortable in a house, it must make you feel
at home. This led Dean to design his womb-like rooms which can be arranged
in clusters to form house, flats, hotels, office towers, or multimillion
pound entertainment centres.