aspen harris
architectural designer
Aspen completed her Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Kansas in 2019 before returning home to Denver to attend the University of Colorado-Denver to obtain her Master of Architecture. A young professional herself, she has a deep commitment to inspire and assist newcomers to get acclimated in the field and find their place. She has a passion for residential and hospitality work and looks forward to gaining experience and expertise in that realm. Aside from her work in the architecture field, Aspen also sits on the board for her family’s non-profit organization, Stop COVAD (Crimes of Violence and Discrimination) that was created in 2019 after the unfortunate loss of her aunt to domestic violence. Their platform can give families experiencing the same hardships the resources to move forward while also honoring their lost loved one. Her outside hobbies include cooking for family and friends, traveling the world, enjoying the outdoors, attending sporting events, and trying new restaurants.
Get to know aspen
What is the most important challenge facing architects and the practice of architecture? How would you address it?
One of the most important challenges facing architects is lack of diversity. Without diversity, design is hampered because the process does not embrace all backgrounds and walks of life and so it fails to respect their visions for the community. My hope for the future is that we as designers can be pillars in our communities to allow young people from every background to feel comfortable enough to approach us for mentorship and understanding. Many beautiful, young designers and creators are waiting to emerge from the shadows.
Is there one place that you would like to travel to? Why?
It’s a cliché but I would love to travel to Dubai someday. Dubai was always the example of true luxury to me so to be able to sit among some of the wealthiest people in the world and witness the elaborate, out of the ordinary, buildings and homes there would be an honor. I am curious not only about Dubai’s design but also its culture. I have heard that Dubai and the other six emirates are very strict places, but in my eyes, they know their own values and have created boundaries to maintain those values and they require that visitors also respect those values, which is fine by me. Of course, when I go, I have to stay at the amazing Burj Al Arab hotel!!
What makes our office unique? What is your favorite part of coming to work?
This office is unlike any building I’ve ever worked in before. It is so airy and open and has a great calmness to it. It creates a notion of a very healthy environment with exposed timber, mixed materials, large windows, a garage door to circulate fresh air on a warm day, and all the plant life. I also love the fact that no matter your status in the office we all sit among each other which allows camaraderie to be built and conversation to ensue at any moment. We also play music for the soul through the speakers!! Every day feels like a new genre of music; from R&B (my fave) to Country to Indie Rock to Jazz to Metal and everything in between, we hear it all.
What is the best meal you have ever had? If you had to eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I am a lover of all thing’s seafood. I don’t discriminate on the type of seafood, so if it’s in front of me 10 times out of 10 I am going to try it and love it so if I had to eat any one type of food for the rest of my life it would happily be that. With that, the best meal I’ve ever had is also a seafood dish. I was visiting Key Largo, FL while on a spontaneous drive from Miami and stopped at this cute little family-owned restaurant right off the beach and had the most amazing, tasty garlic conch and octopus with rice and black beans. The seafood was so juicy, tender, and flavorful; I still dream about that meal to this day!
Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school? How does your background and life experiences impact your design process?
I am a Denver local, born and raised! Always reppin’ the #303 anywhere I go! I grew up and went to school in the Parkhill, Montbello, and Green Valley Ranch neighborhoods of Denver. I attended Denver School of Science and Technology Montview for middle and high school and attended the University of Kansas for college. My background and life experiences impact my design process as I design with intent and thoughtfulness, and I think about what elates people. I design with my young relatives in mind, hoping that they will be welcomed and encouraged to pursue a career of creativity. I design with my heart to inspire kids that look like me to think big and out of the box. The elders in my family paved the way for me to have opportunities they could only dream of, so every day I choose to lead the way so that one day my future children will say “the ceiling is the floor for me!”. To my community, this is for you!