about

Harris Architects & Designers

about

Harris Architects & Designers

Mission

WE ARE FASCINATED BY OPEN, FLEXIBLE SPACES WITH NATURAL LIGHT AND MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT; IMAGINATIVE SPACES FITTING THE NEEDS OF MODERN LIFE AND ROOTED IN THEIR CONTEXT AND SURROUNDINGS.

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By “architecture” we mean the potential to transform and improve our surroundings through intelligent, creative and environmentally conscious design; discovering the underlying potential of a site or building is the basis for new design – we aim to transform it with the minimum of means. </br>

As such, we believe that good architecture can occur whatever the scale or budget, by tackling projects in a responsible, optimistic and creative way.</br>

We would like to think of ourselves as reliable, efficient and responsible. We strive to communicate in an open and honest way, bridging languages and cultures with established professional experience in both Spain and the UK.

 

 

Mission

WE ARE FASCINATED BY OPEN, FLEXIBLE SPACES WITH NATURAL LIGHT AND MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT; IMAGINATIVE SPACES FITTING THE NEEDS OF MODERN LIFE AND ROOTED IN THEIR CONTEXT AND SURROUNDINGS.
By “architecture” we mean the potential to transform and improve our surroundings through intelligent, creative and environmentally conscious design; discovering the underlying potential of a site or building is the basis for new design - we aim to transform it with the minimum of means.
As such, we believe that good architecture can occur whatever the scale or budget, by tackling projects in a responsible, optimistic and creative way.
We would like to think of ourselves as reliable, efficient and responsible. We strive to communicate in an open and honest way, bridging languages and cultures with established professional experience in both Spain and the UK.

how we can help

We offer complete architecture services across Mallorca. We provide award-wining design; complete professional services from initial ideas to building completion; a practical and holistic approach to sustainability, and all explained in clear, straightforward English.
Clear English

We enable our clients to navigate the local process of planning and construction through discussing design and the building process in plain, straight-forward English, as well as Spanish and Mallorquin.

We draw on our training in both the UK and Spain and our professional experience over more than 40 years in the UK and 20 years designing and building in Mallorca. We are also used to explaining both the practical and cultural differences involved in building in Spain.

Design Quality

We design our houses around natural light, flowing space, sustainability, and context. Our award-winning design work focuses on original solutions specific to the challenges of each scheme.

We help clients looking to create homes which connect to their settings without just copying cliched examples, be they traditional or modern. Together with detailed in-situ research into the site or building’s potential, we also focus on refining the brief with our clients before developing a range of alternative solutions for each project.

Sustainability

We aim to protect and improve the built environment of Mallorca through intelligent and sensitive design on all scales and budgets.

We want our projects to be as sustainable as possible, and apply sustainable criteria regarding the design, materials, construction and technology, together with using workmanship from the local community

Total Design and the Economy of Means

We provide a total design service creating a coherent and feasible design vision for your entire project from architectural design to landscape and interiors.

We consider the overall project, its costs and end-value, allowing you to decide how and where to focus your resources to achieve the best possible design and investment. Whatever your budget, our designs aim to use the minimum of means.

Who we are

Originally founded in the UK by Tony and Kate Harris, the new studio in Mallorca is now directed by Sebastian Harris.
We are registered architects in both the UK and Spain with established professional experience in both Northern and Mediterranean cultures

studio background

From designing the seminal tower penthouses at the The Barbican in London with Chamberlin, Powell and Bon, to Restaurants for Forte, Anthony and Kate Harris have worked on a wide variety of public and private projects in the UK from education to health. Since the Barbican they have focused on creating homes, from award-winning innovative social housing to significant private houses.

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The practice specialises in contemporary residential design. Sebastian has developed his research in Mediterranean architecture and housing, completing his doctorate at Barcelona School of Architecture in 2016. This ongoing research is applied to both our current design and teaching in Barcelona at La Salle school of Architecture, The Instituto Europeo de Diseño and ESADE Business school.

At the same time, we have also worked extensively on historic and protected buildings. Having specialised in architectural history at the Courtauld Institute, Anthony became advisor to English Heritage and the Arts Council of Great Britain, working on listed buildings for the National Trust as well as other public and private clients.

The practice moved to Mallorca in 2000. Building our own house, required overcoming the challenges of a new and different culture, languages, regulations and customs. We managed to build a home both fitting to the site and spatially innovative, incorporating the demands of modern life with the sense of place. This building was awarded the Mallorca Architecture Prize by the Balearic Chapter of Architects.

From this experience, we became convinced of the potential and the need to combine the criteria of modern design with the character of Mallorcan architecture: to create contemporary spaces in harmony with the sense of place.

Since then we have gone on to expand on this fundamental personal experience, designing new houses and reforming old buildings across the island. Our designs continue to adapt to each site and client, but always strive to attain the best transformation with the minimum of means.

The practice is currently working on both contemporary residential projects and historical buildings in Mallorca and Catalunya. These include projects in Unesco World heritage areas; new private houses in Pollensa and historic buildings in Calvia, the South of Mallorca and in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

the architects

British architect Mallorca
DIRECTOR

Sebastian Harris

Architect PhD. MA Cantab. COAIB RIBA
British architect Majorca
founder

anthony Harris

Architect Dip Arch. RIBA COAIB. MA Courtauld

design ethos

Our projects are not defined by any single style – we view each project as a carefully crafted design, finely attuned to the unique conditions of place, function and most importantly, the people who will live there.

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We believe that good design is an open-minded and thoughtful process which requires individual solutions to specific challenges. The intense efforts involved at the design stage are rewarded time and time again later in the process of making a building, and have lasting impact on the function and enjoyment of the home.

 

We consider sustainability to be inherent to architectural design, affecting every design decision at every stage of the project. Therefore, we incorporate sustainable criteria into our design work from the outset combining passive measures such as orientation, shading, ventilation with active technologies for generating energy or reducing consumption. Furthermore, wherever possible we use local materials and local workmanship.

Our design approach in 4 points:

Light and views

Open, flexible, sun-lit spaces connecting intelligently between interior and exterior.

Space, function and modern life

Imaginative and functional spatial organisation to fit the needs and aspirations of contemporary life, whether rethinking old buildings or creating new projects.

Time and place

Whether designing within traditional surroundings or creating a contemporary house from scratch, we aim to work creatively with context and place, making site specific buildings which are rooted within their context and avoid passing fashions.

Sustainability and the economy of means

When designing, we think of the future, creating flexible spaces which can be transformed with minimal effort for future needs. Sustainability is inherent to the way we build, starting from fundamental considerations such as orientation, shading, natural ventilation and appropriate local materials, to incorporating new technologies, and working with local specialists and craftsman.

clients' comments

“Thank you both once again for delivering a house that is a joy to live in and maximises the stunning views!”

R+M 19-7-2020

Design director, leading PLC.

Enquiries &
Appointments

Contact us to discuss your ideas – let us know your contact details and availability to arrange a first, free consultation by video call.
HARRIS ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS

C/ Santiago Rusiñol 5, Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares

Phone : +34 654 492 272

Email : sebastian@harchitects.com

other PROJECTS

Contemporary houses and historic buildings

CONTACT US

9-18h (Spain) Monday to Saturday

TEL : +34 654 492 272

sebastian@harchitects.com

 

C/ SANTIAGO RUSIÑOL 5,

PALMA DE MALLORCA

ISLAS BALEARES