An Architect Asks... with Mark Harris

What shapes the spaces we inhabit-and how do the questions we ask reveal what truly matters in a community?

 

In this episode of QuestionAble Strategy, Antonia welcomes her uncle, acclaimed architect Mark Harris, for an intimate conversation about curiosity, design, and the human stories behind every building. Mark, a featured artist at the Venice Biennale, shares how his lifelong habit of asking unconventional questions led him to a career at the intersection of art, functionality, and social impact.

 

Together, Antonia and Mark delve into the ways architecture reflects and shapes culture, the importance of honoring both the history and future of a place, and the transformative power of listening deeply to clients. Mark recounts how asking the right, sometimes difficult, questions can turn programming sessions into moments of real connection and even catharsis, especially in communities that have long felt unheard.

 

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How formative childhood experiences and environments can spark a lifelong curiosity.
• Why architecture is more than just buildings; it’s a social science rooted in empathy and context.
• The role of conflict, vulnerability, and honest dialogue in uncovering what people truly need from their spaces.
• How design decisions, from glass classroom walls to communal music labs, can break down barriers and foster belonging.
• The art of merging logic and creativity to create environments that change lives.

Tune in for a candid, inspiring exploration of architecture as a practice of asking, listening, and building for the heart of a community.