5 minutes with … Gillian Harrison at Levitt Bernstein

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I specifically remember a conversation with my careers advisor about studying architecture at university. I knew I liked design, the arts, and also that I appreciated the method and logic of maths and sciences. So architecture seemed like the perfect combination. We concluded that there were lots of other career paths that an architecture degree would be good for, so I went for it.

What are you most proud of in your career to date?

Meeting the users of our buildings when they have moved in and are loving being there. Early in my career this was sixth-form students moving into a boarding house, still very young and far from home, and feeling the reassurance of a somewhere that felt comfortable, with small details like a shallow shelf below the mirror for all their products.

More recently our completed older persons’ housing scheme, The Courtyards in Preston, delivered on all the promise of this type of specialist accommodation. We hosted a garden party for residents (after the struggles of the pandemic) and hearing first-hand the extent to which buildings like this can change people’s lives for the better is hugely rewarding after years of hard work.

What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?

Being an architect is hugely varied and the challenges do come pretty thick and fast. You have to treat them as opportunities and take each hurdle as a chance to refine and improve wherever possible. I would say the biggest challenge is to see the positives on days when everything seems to be going awry and know that you will come out the other side the better for it.

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

More money should be invested in all buildings. Not in aesthetics, or creating “icons”, but in basic quality and standards. The building and places we create today need to last 100-plus years if they are to have real impact on our housing and carbon crisis.

Name your favourite building in the world?

Therme Vals by Peter Zumthor. Something about the way I experienced this one… at once the same as any other visitor, floating around in the spa pools, but also as an architect, marvelling at the quality of materials and light.

Which famous building do you most dislike?

I think I would have to go for countless car-focused, cookie-cutter housing estates that we are still building despite all evidence to the contrary about what would be more sustainable, and more enjoyable to live in.

Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?

The Neues Museum in Berlin by David Chipperfield. I visited again at the end of last year, on a late evening opening where the spaces were dimly lit. It was snowing outside, and there was hardly anyone else there – magical.

I would have loved to work on the detailing, taking the mechanics and beauty of the existing structure and fabric and contrasting it with the crisp interventions with exquisite balance and sensitivity.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession?

Walk everywhere. You see so much – and experience cities in a very tactile and human way.

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?

Again, so hard to choose just one. Architects and designers like Kate McIntosh, Denise Scott Brown, Annie Albers, Esme Young… women who paved the way! The first female fellow of the RIBA was also named Gillian Harrison (no relation!)

What is it like being you (and doing your job)?

It’s wonderful. I’m lucky to work in a great practice with talented, committed, enthusiastic people and I get to realise collaborative, creative visions that make a difference in people’s lives. I’m very lucky.

Do you have a life philosophy?

Word hard and be nice to people sums it up pretty well.

What do you think your best quality is?

I asked around… apparently it’s being organised (also described as “on it”)

Name three things that you like

Walking, dessert wine, blossom.

What is your most prized possession?

I wrote a letter to Russell T Davies to tell him about a line in one of his dramas (Cucumber) that I thought was a wonderful piece of dialogue. Seemingly so simple, but conveyed huge amounts about the relationship of two characters. And he wrote back, on a pantone postcard, and told me it was one of his favourite lines as well.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird – just about! When I am up and about early, I do love the feel of the city first thing – waiting for all the day’s excitement.

What is your favourite food?

It is well known that I do love cake.

What would your superpower be?

Teleportation, so I can visit all the places!