Dean was a co-founder of the practice in 1996. He has extensive experience in social and private housing, office and community buildings and architecture for education.

Experience in cooperative social housing and community action groups has given him an interest in community architecture. He is partner in charge of social housing and community projects and, with Sarah Curl, directs project work in the practice, including education projects. Currently he is combining his social housing and education experience in a mixed use community project.

Examples of his work in the practice include: Elmgrove Road, a high density inner city social housing development; Lakeview Road; and the The Hub community building.