Ethan earned his Bachelor of Art (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Sheffield, where he developed a keen interest in heritage preservation and environmentally sustainable design, with a focus on enhancing heritage assets to benefit communities.

Having grown up on a small dairy farm, Ethan's passion for architecture was sparked by his early experiences in maintaining and constructing farm buildings. When the family sold their dairy herd, the agricultural structures were converted into residential housing. Ethan played an active role in this transformation, not only working as a labourer but also collaborating closely with architects, engineers, planners, contractors, and building inspectors. This hands-on involvement fostered his deep interest in retrofit and adaptive reuse projects, providing him with valuable insights into the complexities of repurposing existing structures.