Alex Harrison Portfolio 2025

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[ALEXANDER HARRISON] PART 1 UN DE R GR ADUAT E AR CHITECTUR AL PORTF OL IO THE BARTLET T SCHOOL OF AR CHITECTURE SELECTED WORKS

[2025]

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T h e B a r t l e tt S c h o o l o f Archite cture

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Year 3 // UG06 // Building Proje ct Jan 2025 - June 2025

[ L i mbo] Year 2 // UG10 // Building Proje ct J a n 2 0 24 - J u n e 2 0 24

[ For T houg ht and Tal e ] Year 3 // UG06 // D esign Proje ct S e pt 2 0 24 - D e c 2 0 24

[ An O de to Edi th] Year 1 // Group 7 // Building Proje ct Jan 2023 - June 2023

[ Whi te Ni g ht ] Year 1 // Group 3+8 // Inst allation Proje ct Oct 2023 - Dec 2023

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[ Arc hi te c ture s of T houg ht]

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ANT WERP, B ELG IU M

A R C H I TEC TU R E S OF T H OUGH T D UA L- O C C U PA N CY ST U D I O HOM E F OR T W O CRE ATIVE A R CHET YPE S

BS c A rc h ite c tu re Ye ar 3 UG06 // Ben Spong + A shley Hinchcliffe Building Proje ct [R hinoc eros 3D | V-ray | Enscape Vir tual R eality] J an 2025 - June 2025

“I should say: the house shelters daydreaming, the house prote cts the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peac e.” - Gaston B achelard Under the unit theme of Contingency, my proje ct explores how archite cture can interact with the c ognitive and emotional st ates of its users. The proje ct is grounde d in psychological research and spatial strate gies that aim to chore ograph attention and perc eption, treating archite cture as a c ognitive tool rather than a st atic c ont ainer.

A l ex H a rri s o n

I be came intereste d in daydreaming, not as distraction, but as a creative beneficiar y, a c ognitive spac e where imagination and emotional clarity can sur fac e. This ide ology be came the crux of my design proc ess and thus I st ar te d to develop a programme suit able for this the or y; a dual-oc cupancy studio home for two creatives with opposing working styles. One, a bohemian ar tist who is pre dominantly fre e-flowing, the other, a mad genius, who is structure d and intense and thus the proje ct explores how each archetype re quires a different spatial atmosphere to drift.

From here, I explore d spatial strate gies to suppor t daydreaming, drawing from c onc epts like the cathe dral effe ct, solvitur ambulando, and archite ctural se quencing, to create a design that doesn’t demand focus, but gently invites the mind to wander, which drives the research obje ctive of my proje ct; “How can archite cture be c ome an active tool in shaping the mind?”

ODDIT Y VS FAMIL ARIT Y DY NAMI C VS C ONTR OLLED

PR OGR AMME

C ONCEP T

BOHEM IAN OR M A D ?

P R OP OSAL DAYDRE AMING AS A CRE ATIVE BENEFICIARY

STUDIO HO ME ENCLOSED SPACE S N OMADIC ARE AS STUDIO SPACE

HOW CAN AR CHITECTURE E VOKE DAYDRE AMING? E N VI R O N M E N T

R EPET IT ION T R ANSIT IONAL ZONE S

M E A N D E RI N G CIR CU L AT ION

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The D aydreamer ’s Sitting R oom

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The D aydreamer ’s Foyer

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K EY: 0 1 E n t ra n c e A

Foye r//

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1 9 C ollon ad e 20 L an d sc ap in g

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DAT E :

01_ 06_ 2025

DR AW ING : S CA L E :

G R OUND FLOOR P L AN 1:100

59 4 x 841 mm ( A1)

SH EET SI ZE:

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The Ma d G en i u s

The Mad G enius’ Studio [L iminal]

The Mad G eniu

The Bohemian’s Studio [L iminal]

The Bohemian

A ssociate d with ment al inst ability, obsession, and the idea that madness fuels creativity.

This archetype links the ar tist to prophetic vision and divine frenzy, reinforcing the idea that brillianc e and inst ability go hand in hand.

A l ex H a rri s o n

For the mad genius, liminal spac es are charge d and provocative, designe d to sharpen attention and spark new c onne ctions. Sharp angles, material c ontrasts, and c ompresse d thresholds create spatial tension, pushing the mind into a heightene d, restless st ate.

Disruptions in light or scale jolt the oc cupant out of habitual patterns, using friction and surprise to trigger creative break throughs.

The Boh em i a n A r t i st D efine d by opposition to societ al norms, reje ction of material wealth, and a c ommitment to an unc onven tional lifestyle.

This archetype has be en romanticize d, influencing later generations of ar tists to adopt bohemian behaviors deliberately.

For the bohemian ar tist, liminal spac es are soft, meandering transitions that invite drifting thoughts. Filtere d light, shifting patterns, and subtle changes in tex ture blur boundaries betwe en rooms and moments. Dissolving thresholds and gently shifting c orridors enc ourage a fluid movement betwe en work, rest, and play; an archite ctural invit ation to daydream and wander.

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us’ Studio [D evel ope d]

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’s Studio [D evelope d] 13

TE C H N ICA L I N V E STI GATI ON & DE VE LOPME N T How c a n Arc h ite c u re fac i l i t ate d ayd re a min g ?

For my te chnica l invest ig at io n , I t u r n e d to v ir t u a l realit y a s a te st i n g to o l be c a u s e i t a l l owe d m e to s i m u l ate a n d eva l u ate t h e ex pe r i e n t i a l q ua lities of my design ideas in real t ime, p a r t ic u lar ly t h o se fo c u se d o n en c o u ra g i n g daydre a m i n g . Un l i ke dra wi n g s o r re n de rs , VR o ffe re d a n i m m e rs i ve a n d e mb o d ie d exp e ri enc e, enabling par tic ip a n t s to move t h ro u g h sp ac e a n d resp o nd to s e n s o r y a n d s pat i a l c o n di t i o n s m o re i n t u i t i ve l y. T h i s wa s e s s e n t i a l fo r te st i ng id e o lo gies roote d in perc eption, attent io n , a n d emo t io n a l resp o n se. B y o b ser v in g eye -t ra c k i n g dat a , h e at m a ps , a n d po st- ex pe r i e n c e fe e dba c k wi t h i n a c o n t ro l l e d yet d yna m ic vi r tual setting, I was able to g at h er in sig h t s in to w h ich a rc h ite ct u ra l e l e m e n t s , s u c h a s l i g h t , m ate r i a l tex t u re, o r s pat i a l r hy t h m , m o st e ffe c t i ve l y s up p o r te d i magi native drift. VR be cam e a cr it ical ex ten sio n o f my d esig n p ro c e s s , br i dg i n g re s e a rc h a n d re a l - wo r l d a ppl i c at i o n by a l l owi n g m e to i te rate a n d a d a p t in d ire ct re s p onse to how pe ople m en t a lly an d emo t io n ally en g a g e d w it h t h e s pa c e.

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Patient_Selection

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Daydreaming_Categorisation [Pre_Questionnaire]

With the help o f J ero me L Si n g e r ’s IP I Q u est io n na i re, I c a n h elp d e d u c e wh at t y pe o f d ayd rea mi n g e a c h o f my p at ien t s po s s e s s e s .

Th is is imp o r t a n t to realise a s d e pe n di n g o n w h at t y p e o f daydre a m e r t h ey a re c an a ffe c t t h e resu lt s in d iffe re n t ways .

Fo r exa mp le, a a n x i u o s d ist ra ct a b le daydre a m e r may f in d d iffe re n t a re a s o f arc h ite c t u re daydre a m i n g in d u c ive to t h e P o s i t i ve Co n st r u ct ive.

Expected_Results

Escapist

PositiveConstructive

AnxiousDistractible

D GuiltyD ysphoric

Patient_VR_Exploration_Documentation

VR_Adjustment

Staircase

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Fragment_Exploration

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Fragment_A [Staircase]

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Fragment_C [Living_Room]

Using VR to E xplore Archite cture and simulate reality

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Eye_Tracking

By m o n i to r i n g wh e re, h ow l o n g , a n d h ow a c t i ve l y pa r t i c i pa n t s l o o k at e l e m e n t s wi t h i n a s pa c e, eye t ra c k i n g prov i de s m e a s u ra bl e c l u e s a bo u t wh e n atte n t i o n dr i f t s i n wa rd.

I n a rc h i te c t u ra l c o n tex t s , t h i s m a ke s i t po s s i bl e to i n fe r wh i c h s pat i a l o r s e n s o r y fe at u re s a re m o st l i ke l y to i nv i te re f l e c t i ve, daydre a m - l i ke st ate s ; a c o n n e c t i o n t h at S i n g e r ’s wo r k o n i m a g i n at i ve m e n t a l a c t i v i t y h e l ps g ro u n d a n d ex pl a i n .

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Heat_Mapping

By u s i n g h e at m a pping to t ra c k wh e re pa r t i c i pa n t s s pend t h e m o st t i m e or s low t h e i r m ove m e n t, it be c o m e s po s s i ble to i de n t i f y a rc h i te ctura l z o n e s t h at e n c oura ge these moments o f st i l l n e s s a n d m e n t a l dr i f t . A re a s wi t h de n s e h e at s i g n at u re s o r s l ow m ove m e n t , e s pe cia lly near sensory-rich fe at u re s , m ay i n di c ate s pa c e s wh e re atte n t i o n i s n at u ra l l y dra w n i n wa rd, a l l owi n g daydre a m i n g to e m e rg e.

Evaluation

VR_Adjustment

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Fragment_B [Hallway// Collonade]

VR_Questionnaire

A l ex H a rri s o n

Eye-tracking O verlay

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Concrete_Foun

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Double_Glazed

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Insulation

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Timber_Joist

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Argon_Layer

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Water_Proof_L

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Timber_Claddin

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Metal_Bracket

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Sheet_Formed

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Screed

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Skylight

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Exterior_Tiles

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Pex_Pipework

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Connection_Br

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Bolt

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Window_Sill

In res p o ns e to the s un p c o nd itio ns s p e cific to An I p o s itio ne d the new s ky a b ove the ha llway to m a s unlight p enetratio n d ur m id d ay ho urs , w hen the its highest p o int. T his s o o r iente d s ky light is ca re a ngle d a nd p ro p o r tio ne d ha r nes s b o th s um m er a n s unlight, ca sting light d e into the c o r r id o r a nd cre d y na m ic s ha d ows that s gra d ua lly thro ugho ut the T his inter ventio n wa s d i info r m e d by the V R testi res ults , w hich s howe d th p a r ticip a nts were m o st a nd c o gnitively enga ge d a rea s w here light m et st p a r ticula r ly w here s ha d o ca st by the ste el p ip ing.

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1:25 Hallway Detail Solvitur Ambulando [It is Solved by Walking]

ndation

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racket

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path ntwer p, ylig h t aximi s e ring th e sun i s at out h eful l y d to nd win te r e ep eati n g hif t e d ay. re ct l y ing hat visu a l l y d in truc tu re, ows were .

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T he hallway det ail draw in g ref le ct s a key ref in emen t in resp o n se to t h e VR d aydream ing test result s, sp e cif ically t h e ad d it io n o f a st rate g ic a l l y pl a c e d s kylight. D at a from eye t ra ck in g an d h eat ma p p in g revea le d t h at pa r t i c i pa n t s c on sistently pause d and f ixate d o n a rea s w it h d yn amic sh ad ow pl ay, e s pe c i a l l y w here light interacte d w it h st r u c t u ra l elemen t s like t h e ste el p ipi n g .

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Membrane

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Cathedral_Effect

Shadow_Play

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Dynamic_Piping

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TL ATELOLC O, M E X IC O

LIMBO FLO R I ST A N D DY E ST U D I O

BS c A rc h ite c tu re Ye ar 2 UG10 // Pe dro Gil + Neba Sere Building Proje ct [R hinoc eros 3D | V-ray | B-Made Workshop | Blender] J an 2024 - June 2024

My proje ct t ackles the Mexican ide ology of death and their approach to grief, and explores two separate universes: the world of the living, and the world of the dead. The Mexican approach to death and grief was best respresente d by Juan C arlos C alanchini, an archite ct who we met on our trip in Mexic o “In a way, you’re still living. We don’t ‘suffer ’ death, we just enjoy it. We enjoy and c elebrate the life of those pe ople.”

A l ex H a rri s o n

My proje ct attempts to embody this ide ology, and thus, for my programme, tying in the Mexican ide ology of death and the histor y of Tlatelolc o, I de cide d to create a florist and dye studio. When caring for these shrines across Mexic o city, the owners bring offerings of flowers we ekly, and they fac e the problem of the flowers dying out each we ek and having to throw them away. My programme allows for the owners to rebir th their dying flowers into dye which can be u se d for fac e paints for c elebration of la S ant a Muer te, or even day of the dead. The florist allows them to leave with a fresh bouquet of flowers to offer back to their sh rine as well.

My programme aims to ent ail 5 key aspe cts to preform this met aphorical rebir th of these d ead flowers: growing and caring of flowers, selling of l owers, making of the dye, disposal and re cycling of waste, and c ongre gation.

In terms of developing my design languag e, I de cide d to explore the idea of bre eze blocks and ventilation, which would then turn out to be my main way of evolving and refining the building, via scale modelling.

1:50 D etail - Sliding R oof Me chanism

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1:25 Building Model

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1:25 Buil ding Model

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CRANKED LONG SECTION: AA

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The Adaptive D ye Studio

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The Celebration Spac e

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The Florist 29

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F O R TH O U G H T AN D TALE

HAMP STE AD HE ATH , LO N D O N

AN I N ST R U M E N T TO I N D U C E INT R OS PEC T ION VIA ORIENTAT ION

BS c A rc h ite c tu re Ye ar 3 UG06 // Ben Spong + A shley Hinchcliffe D esign Proje ct [R hinoc eros 3D | V-ray | B-Made Workshop] S e p t 2024 - D e c 2024

Central to this proje ct is the c onc ept of the Japanese term ‘komorebi’, describing the light that filters gently through the tre es, a phenomenon that invites quiet c ontemplation and is prominent in par ts of the Heath. The design se eks to channel this natural interplay of light and foliage to foster introspe ction.

The chair also inc orporates a playful “trip” setting, designe d to disrupt and create an awkward moment, breaking social barriers and acting as an ic ebreaker for share d stories. This jux t aposition of solitude and social engagement refle cts the dual purpose of outdoor seating as a spac e for both personal refle ction and human c onne ction.

A l ex H a rri s o n

Fabricate d from smoothly bent ste el pipes of var ying diameters, the chair ’s structure m aint ains a harmonious visual language. Inspire d by the therapeutic qualities of furniture such as the E ames chair and the carefully frame d sightlines of Alvar A alto’s Paimio S anatorium, the chair transforms sitting into an immersive experienc e, linking the user ’s body, environment, and mind through thoughtful design and craftsmanship.

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TIG Welding

01 POSITIO

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Brazing Proc ess

The chair was designe d as an experiment al tool to induc e introspe ction by carefully orienting the user ’s body and sightline. B y gradually re clining the body into a supine position, the chair shifts the user ’s gaze upward, aligning it with the canopy above and enc ouraging a moment of pause and inward refle ction.

This physical adjustment invites both stillness and ment al drift, using balanc e, light, and subtle movement to guide the user toward a c ontemplative st ate. R ather than forcing refle ction, the chair creates the c onditions for it to naturally emerge, blending posture, environment, and sensor y cues to open spac e for daydreaming and introspe ctive thought.

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The Chair

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A N O D E TO ED I TH

WHITECHAPEL , LO N D O N

ALC O HO L I C S A N O N Y M O U S REHA B IL AT ION CENTRE

BS c A rc h ite c tu re Ye ar 1 Group 7 // K ay Se dki D esign Proje ct [Hand Drawing | Model Making]

Colle ction of Models, Including 1:100 Final Model

J an 2023 - June 2023

“ We should always design for the pe ople in the weakest position...” - Alvar A alto This proje ct proposes a sensitive and responsive rehabilit ation c entre for individuals struggling with alc ohol addiction. The c onc ept was informe d by site research, wh ere a high presenc e of alc ohol-relate d litter reveale d a hidden epidemic. This obser vation, alongside the alarming rates of alc oholism in the UK , shape d a programme grounde d in healing, wellbeing, and anonymity.

A l ex H a rri s o n

The building is designe d to ser ve users at various st ages of re c over y. It includes 24/7 ac c essible spac es for those in imme diate ne e d, such as individuals experiencing relapse or withdrawal, offering private overnight quar ters and alc ohol-fre e safe zones. More structure d spac es, such as daytime A A me eting rooms, form the c ore of the programme alongside areas for caret akers, therapeutic spa zones, and a small clinical testing area that can link to a nearby hospit al if ne e de d.

A key design driver is anonymity and visibility, expresse d through a gradual transition in spatial transparency, from open c ommunal zones to private and intimate quar ters. The archite cture promotes a warm, clean, and calming atmosphere, suppor ting ment al clarity and emotional safety. The spatial se quencing and sensor y c onditions work together to dist anc e individuals from alc ohol-relate d environments and help restore a sense of dignity, peac e, and c ontrol.

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W H I TE N I G HT

ST PANCR AS PARISH CHUR C H , LO N D O N

GR O U P I N STA L L AT I O N P R OJ EC T

BS c A rc h ite c tu re Ye ar 1 Group 3+8 // Alast air Browning + Nic ola C zyz D esign Proje ct [ Hand Drawing | B-Made Workshop]

Sugar Glass bowls proje cting onto Jesmonite Bows

O ct 202 2 - D e c 202 2

“ What if night be c omes daytime? C an we capture the same inst anc es and liveliness of the day into the still, quiet nig ht?

Inspire d by the refle ction of water fount ain, this group proje ct ai me d to push the limits of jesmonite to its greatest thinness and transparency. B y proje cting the sugar bowls onto jesmonite scre ens, we hope to mimic the movement of water ripples and rustling leaves during the daytime. Henc e, our ‘ white night’ synthesises the fle eting moments experienc e d in St Pancras New Church garden.

A l ex H a rri s o n

Merging day into night, light into dark, and making time st and still, our proje ct explores the beauty of ordinar y moments through the fragility and versatility of materials for an e c c entric experienc e.

My role in this proje ct was pre dominantly the met al work. I was dele gate d the MIG and TIG welding for the bases and the arc hes of the jesmonite bow frames as well as the di-acro bending work for the team.

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40 SELECTED WORKS 2025