Exhibitor at the 2018 Venice Architectural Biennale
Architecture as a scientific endeavor that is matured in the human spirit.
Architecture as a scientific endeavor that is matured in the human spirit.
Mark Harris, Architect - Founder and Principal in Charge:
3-minute Bio: Mark Harris is the founding principal of markharris Architects, PC., an architectural practice founded in 1991 and located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Before forming his private practice Mr. Harris apprenticed under internationally-renowned architect Antoine Predock, FAIA, serving as project designer for several of the firms more noted early projects while also managing Mr. Predock’s Arizona office.
Mr. Harris’ work has received numerous design awards from some of the world’s largest and most prestigious international awards platforms, including multiple AIA Design Awards, Re-thinking the Future International Design Awards, AP International Design Awards, APR International Design Awards, as well as the prestigious American Architecture Award. Utilizing a uniquely personalize creative process of emersion and detailed analysis, his work has been noted by award juries as ‘visionary, bold, and evocative”, creating a “cohesive and probing architecture that is both powerful and highly symbolic”. Considered an “emerging voice in architecture”, he has been a visiting lecturer, conference speaker, and studio critic at major national and international universities and conferences.
Mr. Harris' current work is becoming known for its interest in advanced urbanism theories, landscape art, cultural narrative within the built form, advanced sustainability approaches, and advanced construction technologies. His current projects focus on “merging the technosphere of our creation with the biosphere of our inheritance” (Harris). An important critique of his exhibit at the 2018 Venice Architectural Biennale summarizes both his approach to architecture as well as the critical nature of its impact:
“Most architectural exhibits today are like most architecture today - they invariably talk about sea-changes, embedding a new consciousness of social content, and radical departures from the past - but in the end the work itself is basically the same old thing dressed up in a new lexicon. This work from markharris ARCHITECTS, however, actually delivers on these promises. This is new work, substantially different than what we normally see today, executed with a new set of attitudes and approaches, and running from a new set of operative subroutines. This work is truly unique, and it questions everything, from the role of the architect and architecture in the 21st century, to the relationship between architecture and all other allied design disciplines, to our relationship with the natural environment, and, most importantly, with our relationship to each other. This actually represents a new set of social compacts, so for my money, it’s one of the few exhibits out there that represents the ‘real thing’ - something that actually has the courage to tackle important issues, and that provokes the meaningful dialogue we so desperately need today.”
-Rene Rietmeyer, CEO of GlobalArtAffair and the European Cultural Center
Mr. Harris' forthcoming book, "Memories of the Ruined Landscape-Hybrid Architectures of the 21st Century", which deals with current issues of architecture within the constructed environment, will be published in late 2023.
Mr. Harris is a frequent keynote speaker, guest critic, and guest lecturer at some of the world’s most prestigious national and international conferences and universities, including US Green Build, Harvard University, Newcastle University, SCI-Arc, The Colorado College, and Pratt Institute.
20-second Description:
We provide unique works of Architecture and Urban Design to clients looking for investment and portfolio-worthy projects that have the potential to realize a high-level of inherent value. This is accomplished with an expert team who work within a highly-detailed, research-driven, performative process, employing some of the more innovative technologies and professional techniques available today.
Our process is one of connectivity ... it’s all about the connections ... and we believe these connections can change the world.
What we do not provide are standard designs that can be built by standard builders or general contractors - our designs are highly-nuanced, innovative, and sophisticated works of Architecture that require a similar level of highly-nuanced, innovated, and sophisticated construction expertise. While they often prove to be more cost effective than most 'custom' designs, being more cost effective is not the primary goal - sophisticated works of architecture and the quality that goes it are the goals - and as such, the value and high-end ROI that high-end design represents.
Founded in 1991, markharris ARCHITECTS is known for provocative work that reflects the complex nature of our social, cultural, and technological conditions. The firms’ work has been touted as representing a new breed of 'critical practices' where creative output engages the very fabric of our built environment through research and innovation.
The firm is known for progressing the boundaries of a given typology. It’s solutions are based upon a researched approach that offers new, refreshing, and efficient ways of integrating it’s clients intents and needs with the evolving technology, sociology and ecology of our time.
Philosophically, the firm believes that architecture is an intellectual process followed by an integrated praxis of ‘doing’. To this end, the firm believes firmly that one should practice a theory rather than theorize about a practice. It’s solutions are carefully considered, socially and environmentally responsive, yet provocatively practical.
Architecture should be responsible on all levels. To this end, the firm believes that architecture is a social science, and therefore is not it’s own subject matter. Rather, architecture is a result and reflection of the culture that creates it. At it’s best, the firm believes that architecture is the captured condensation of the multiple forces at play within a given place and time. Rather than working towards a reductive strategy of elimination, the firm works towards an inclusive strategy of creative engagement and integration.
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