Research Profile

Jim Harrison

BIOGRAPHY

Jim Harrison qualified as a UK Registered Architect in 1970 and has practised in England, Zambia and Malawi on a range of projects from new-town housing to low cost educational buildings. He has taught design in different schools of architecture, including Portsmouth and the National University of Singapore, where he was in the School of Architecture for 18 Years, latterly as Associate Professor. In 2004 he moved to Queen’s University Belfast and then in 2007 to the newly established Cork Centre for Architectural Education in Ireland, where he now teaches design, with particular reference to the integration of technology into design project work and the establishment of a craft-based workshop within the school. In addition he continues to research in areas of design for ageing and accessibility in the built environment with continued contact with research networks and individuals in that field.
He has long experience of teaching and presentations on aspects of user-friendly design in a wide variety of venues throughout Asia and Europe, including a number of significant UN ESCAP workshops and other initiatives, working with professionals, politicians and local disability groups in the region.

As a member of the committee on the revision of the Singapore Access Code he contributed a section on the needs of older people, and amongst his many publications on barrier-free environments are chapters in the definitive “Universal Design Handbook”, and “Universal Design: 17 Ways of Thinking and Teaching”, with more than 50 conference papers and journal articles in this field, a collection of which were successfully presented with a Preface for a Higher Doctorate (LittD) from his alma mater, the University of Sheffield in 2004.

Currently he is involved in developing integrating the teaching of universal design into the architectural curriculum, and is also supervising PhD students including a cutting-edge research topic, studying applications of embedded sensors to create responsive built environments for impaired residents in care home settings.

As well as a love of architecture and design, Jim’s other interests include travel, both at home and abroad, keeping sketchbooks of places and buildings of interest, traditional buildings, VW camper vans and Morgan three-wheeled cars.

Research Interests

Environments and design for older people and people with disability:
 
Inclusive / Universal Design, s – aspects of access and safety, assistive technology and mobility for special need

Housing forms for ageing-in-place and independent living

Perceptions of barriers in the built environment and abilities of older people

Design of user-friendly environments for people with dementia

Networked Embedded Systems in salutogenic environments for older people

Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(115)'Access for Maintenance in Buildings'
Harrison, J D (115) 'Access for Maintenance in Buildings' In: Briffett, C (eds). Building Maintenance Technology in Tropical Climates. Singapore: National University Press. [Details]
(1992)'Design for the Disabled and the Elderly in Singapore'
Lam K P and J D Harrison (1992) 'Design for the Disabled and the Elderly in Singapore' In: G M Haber and T O Blank (eds). Building Design for Handicapped and Aged Persons. New York: McGraw Hill. [Details]
(1998)'Chapter 2'
Harrison, J D (1998) 'Chapter 2' In: Satya Brink (eds). Housing Older people: an International Perspective. New York: International Federation on Ageing. Transaction Publishers. [Details]
(2000)'Modelling the Inclusive City'
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (2000) 'Modelling the Inclusive City' In: Ooi Giok Ling (eds). Model Cities: Urban Best Practices. Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Authority & The Institute of Policy Studies, Singapore. [Details]
(2001)'Housing for Older Persons in Southeast Asia: Evolving Policy and Design'
Harrison, J D (2001) 'Housing for Older Persons in Southeast Asia: Evolving Policy and Design' In: Preiser W F E and Ostroff E (eds). Universal Design Handbook. New York: Mc Graw Hill. [Details]
(2002)'Universal Design: Tertiary Education and Promotion in Asia'
1. Harrison J D and K J Parker, (2002) 'Universal Design: Tertiary Education and Promotion in Asia' In: J Christopherssen (eds). Universal Design - 17 Ways of Thinking and Teaching. Norway: , Norwegian Research Inst. Husbanken Norwegian State Housing Bank. [Details]

Other Journals

 YearPublication
(1997)'Housing for Elderly People: Design for an Ageing Population in Singapore'
Harrison, J D (1997) 'Housing for Elderly People: Design for an Ageing Population in Singapore' Handicaps Digest, :19-30. [Details]
(1997)'Housing Singapore's Frail Elderly in the Next Millennium'
Harrison, J D (1997) 'Housing Singapore's Frail Elderly in the Next Millennium' Singapore Medical Journal, Vol 38 (No 10) :415-417. [Details]
(1998)'Accessing our Heritage: Visitability and the Creation of User-Friendly Sites'
Harrison, J d and K J Parker (1998) 'Accessing our Heritage: Visitability and the Creation of User-Friendly Sites' Journal of the International Association for the Study of Traditional Dwellings and Settlements, Vol112 :41-63. [Details]
(1998)'Getting it Right: Housing Design for an Ageing Society in a Changing World'
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (1998) 'Getting it Right: Housing Design for an Ageing Society in a Changing World' International Journal of Housing Science and its Application, Vol 22 (No 4) :273-283. [Details]
(2000)'The Challenge of Designing for Ageing'
Harrison, J D (2000) 'The Challenge of Designing for Ageing' Alumnus, National University of Singapore, Vol 40 :12-16. [Details]
(2000)'A Friendly Face: Towner Gardens School'
Harrison, J D (2000) 'A Friendly Face: Towner Gardens School' The Singapore Architect, Vol 200 :26-31. [Details]
(2001)'Safety in the built Environment'
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (2001) 'Safety in the built Environment' Safety Journal and Report, :27-28. [Details]
(2004)'Built Environment for All: Design and Value'
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (2004) 'Built Environment for All: Design and Value' Social Science Journal, Vol 4 :5-8. [Details]
(2009)'Accessible Tourism: From East to West'
Harrison J D and J Wee (2009) 'Accessible Tourism: From East to West' Access by Design, :30-33. [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(1998)International Workshop on Universal Design
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (1998) Awareness and Promotion of Non-handicapping Environments . In: Katsushi Sato eds. International Workshop on Universal Design Yokohama, japan, , 30-NOV-98 - 04-DEC-98 , pp.18/1-18/11 [Details]
(1998)International Workshop on Universal Design
Parker K J and J D Harrison (1998) Holistic Approaches: a Fundamental Component of Universal Design . In: Katsushi Sato eds. International Workshop on Universal Design Yokohama, japan, , 30-NOV-98 - 04-DEC-98 , pp.22/1-22/8 [Details]
(2000)Campaign 2000 Conference for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
Sasiang, E and J D Harrison (2000) The Universality of Urban Pedestrian Spaces Campaign 2000 Conference for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, [Details]
(2000)Designing for the 21st Century: International Conference on Universal Design
Harrison, J D (2000) Gerontology and Disability Considerations in Housing: Universal Design as the Mediator in Singapore Designing for the 21st Century: International Conference on Universal Design Providence, USA, , pp.9-10 [Details]
(2000)11th Rehabilitation International Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference: Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
Parker , KJ and J D Harrison (2000) Hazard Free Built Environments 11th Rehabilitation International Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference: Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons Hong Kong, , pp.306-308 [Details]
(2001)2nd Asian Conference in Emergency Medicine
Harrison, J D. Travers, P and K J Parker (2001) Use of Computerised Patient Data Records in Studying Falls of Elderly Persons Presenting to the Emergency Department 2nd Asian Conference in Emergency Medicine Taiwan, , 22-MAR-01 - 25-MAR-01 [Details]
(2001)World Congress on Inclusion by Design: Planning the Barrier-Free World, Montréal, Canada
Harrison, J D and E Sasiang (2001) Level Thinking: the Key to Inclusive Design World Congress on Inclusion by Design: Planning the Barrier-Free World, Montréal, Canada Montreal, , 01-JUN-01 - 05-JUL-01   [Details]
(2001)Regional Conference ‘Into the Millennium of the Older Adult: Releasing Potentials and Erasing Prejudices’, Gerontological Society of Singapore
Harrison, J D (2001) The Physical Environment: Blessing or Curse for Senior Citizens? Regional Conference ‘Into the Millennium of the Older Adult: Releasing Potentials and Erasing Prejudices’, Gerontological Society of Singapore Singapore, [Details]
(2001)Proceedings, Campaign Conference ‘99 for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (2001) Responsible Design for Independent Living . In: Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation eds. Proceedings, Campaign Conference ‘99 for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons Kuala Lumpur, , pp.215-223 [Details]
(2002)UIA Region IV Work Programme: Architecture and the Disabled
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (2002) Initiatives and Issues in Education and Training in Designing for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities UIA Region IV Work Programme: Architecture and the Disabled Hong Kong, , pp.21-22 [Details]
(2003)UIA / ARCASIA Network Seminar
Harrison, J D and K J Parker (2003) Designing for Real People's Lifelong Needs UIA / ARCASIA Network Seminar Dhaka, Bangladesh, , pp.15-24 [Details]
(2005)5th International Gerontechnology Conference
Harrison, J D (2005) Universal Design to Add Value to Environments for Seniors. (Invited Paper) 5th International Gerontechnology Conference Nagoya, Japan, , 24-MAY-05 - 27-MAY-05 [Details]
(2006)Historical and Heritage Buildings and their Accessibility, BAS (Building Accessible Services) Conference on Accessibility of the Built Environment
Harrison, J D and C Tweed (2006) Cultural Heritage, Conservation and the Visitor Experience Historical and Heritage Buildings and their Accessibility, BAS (Building Accessible Services) Conference on Accessibility of the Built Environment [Details]
(2009)ENHSA-EAAE Conservation Thematic Network
Harrison, J D and C Dalton (2009) Conservation and the Inclusive Visitor Experience . In: L Kealy and S Musso eds. ENHSA-EAAE Conservation Thematic Network Kilkenny, Borris, Eire, , 17-SEP-09 - 19-SEP-09 [Details]
(2010)ENHSA-EAAE International Conference: Educating Architects Towards Innovative Architecture
Harrison, J D and C Dalton (2010) Making The Familiar Strange: Learning Innovation By Example ENHSA-EAAE International Conference: Educating Architects Towards Innovative Architecture Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, , 17-JUN-11 - 19-JUN-11 [Details]
(2010)Gerontechnology 2010
Dalton, C and Harrison J D (2010) MyRoom: A model for an intelligent salutogenic room prototype for an elderly user Gerontechnology 2010 Vancouver, [Details]
(2011)International Conference on Universal Design in the Built Environment. Sharing the World: Musawah
Harrison, J D (2011) Achieving Equality Through universal Design Thinking International Conference on Universal Design in the Built Environment. Sharing the World: Musawah International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, , 22-NOV-11 - 23-NOV-11 , pp.1-12 [DOI] [Details]
(2011)EAAE / ENHSA International Conference: Rethinking The Human In Technology-Driven Architecture
Harrison, J D and C Dalton (2011) Learning to Imagine the Invisible: Using New Technologies to Enhance User-Friendly Architecture EAAE / ENHSA International Conference: Rethinking The Human In Technology-Driven Architecture Chania, Crete, [Details]
(2011)Adaptive Architecture Conference
Harrison, J D and C Dalton (2011) Designing an adaptive salutogenic care environment Adaptive Architecture Conference Building Centre, London, , 03-MAR-11 - 04-MAR-11   [Details]
(2012)1st International Smart Design Conference 2011
Harrison, J D and C Dalton (2012) Conceptualising an intelligent salutogenic care environment 1st International Smart Design Conference 2011 University of Nottingham, , pp.87-95 [Details]

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2003)UIA/ARCASIA Workshop Dhaka on UIA Work Programme,
Jim Harrison (2003) Invited Presentation. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], UIA/ARCASIA Workshop Dhaka on UIA Work Programme, Dhaka, Bangladesh , 12-DEC-03 - 12-DEC-03
(2003)UN ESCAP Seminar on Barrier-free Tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion,
Jim Harrison (2003) Invited Presentation: “Access Legislation: Standards and Codes. [Plenary Lecture], UN ESCAP Seminar on Barrier-free Tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Conference Centre, Hanoi, Vietnam , 27-MAR-04 - 27-MAR-03
(2005)Invited speaker: Singapore Inst. of Architects / Handicaps Welfare Association Seminar on “Community-Friendly Buildings – Leveling the Differences”,,
Jim Harrison (2005) Invited Video Presentation. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Invited speaker: Singapore Inst. of Architects / Handicaps Welfare Association Seminar on “Community-Friendly Buildings – Leveling the Differences”,, Singapore , 11-NOV-05 - 11-NOV-05
(2005)Invited speaker at Tsao Foundation / Ministry of Community Development (Singapore) Experts’ Series on Successful Ageing’,,
Jim Harrison (2005) User-friendly Environments for Safe Ageing in Asia. [Plenary Lecture], Invited speaker at Tsao Foundation / Ministry of Community Development (Singapore) Experts’ Series on Successful Ageing’,, Singapore Conference Centre , 12-SEP-05 - 16-SEP-05
(2006)Dignity Foundation Conference on “Innovations in Design for Elder Care”,
Jim Harrison (2006) Keynote Presentation. [Plenary Lecture], Dignity Foundation Conference on “Innovations in Design for Elder Care”, World Trade Centre, Mumbai , 12-JUL-06 - 13-JUL-06
(2008)SiCWB 2008. Second annual International Seminar and Workshop on “Urban development dynamics for Curitiba’s Metropolitan Line,
Jim Harrison (2008) Your Sustainable City. [Plenary Lecture], SiCWB 2008. Second annual International Seminar and Workshop on “Urban development dynamics for Curitiba’s Metropolitan Line, Positivo University, Curitiba, Brazil , 07-OCT-08 - 18-OCT-08
(2011)International Conference on Universal Design in the Built Environment. Sharing the World: Musawah,
Jim Harrison (2011) Keynote Presentation: Achieving Equality Through Universal Design Thinking. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Conference on Universal Design in the Built Environment. Sharing the World: Musawah, International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur , 22-NOV-11 - 23-NOV-11
(2011)United Nations Development Project Penang Roundtable Dialogue on Universal Design,
Jim Harrison (2011) Invited Presentation: International Good Practice In Universal Design: A Global Review. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], United Nations Development Project Penang Roundtable Dialogue on Universal Design, Science University of Malaysia (USM) 5-6th July 2011 , 05-JUL-11 - 06-JUL-11

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(1997)Cities for the 21st Century: Proceedings, Third International Convention on Urban Planning Housing and Design.
Heng, C K and J D Harrison (Technical Editor), B L Ong, Y C Wong, B K P Yuen and Y L Chan, (1997) Cities for the 21st Century: Proceedings, Third International Convention on Urban Planning Housing and Design. National Univesrsity of Singapore, Singapore. [Details]
(2000)Assessment of Housing Needs of the Elderly in Singapore. Research Report, RP 3982077.
1. Wong, G K M, J D Harrison, K J Parker, L K H Chin, G L Ooi and T. L. Ngia (2000) Assessment of Housing Needs of the Elderly in Singapore. Research Report, RP 3982077. National University of Singapore, Singapore. [Details]

Newspaper Articles

 YearPublication
(2001)The Age of Independence: Business Times, Singapore.
J D Harrison (2001) The Age of Independence: Business Times, Singapore. Newspaper Articles [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
1968Sir H K Stephenson Travelling Fellowship University of Sheffield
1964Stephen Walsh Prize for Draughtsmanship University of Sheffield

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, Visiting Lecturer: Visiting Lecturer:12-MAY-03 / 17-MAY-03
Portsmouth Polytechnic School of Architecture Lecturer01-JAN-72 / 01-MAY-75
Cork Institute of Technology Lecturer, Centre for Architectural Education/
Queen's University Belfast Lecturer01-APR-04 / 30-MAR-05
National University of Singapore Associate Professor09-MAY-84 / 08-MAY-02
Portsmouth Polytechnic School of Architecture, UK Senior Lecturer01-JAN-79 / 08-MAY-84
Montgomerie Oldfield Denn, Architects, Blantyre, Malawi Senior Architect02-JUL-76 / 31-DEC-78
Montgomerie Oldfield and Kirby, Architects, Lusaka, Zambia Architect09-MAY-75 / 01-JUL-76
Peterborough Development Corporation, UK Architectural Assistant/Architect08-SEP-69 / 31-DEC-71

Consultancy

 ClientDescription
Equality Commission of Northern Ireland
   Member: Built Environment Advisory Forum. Advising on Inclusive Design for buildings and landscapes
 
National University of Singapore

Member: Total Building Performance Group, NUS. Multi-disciplinary team, evaluating space & accessibility: Capital Office Building & Singapore National Library projects, 

Building Control Authority, Singapore

Active member of the Committee on Revision of Access Code to include needs of older people and people with physical or sensory disabilities. 
Contribution of a chapter on design principles for buildings for safe ageing. 

Outreach Activities

 Description

Invited presentation at Public Lecture

‘Text and Context: Use of Text as an Architectural Element:

Glucksman Gallery, Cork 28 September  2011

Other Activities

 Description

Invited Workshop Leader:
SiCWB 2008. Second Annual International Seminar and Workshop on “Urban development dynamics for Curitiba’s Metropolitan Line”, Positivo University, Curitiba, Brazil, 7 – 18 October 2008
Heading a multinational student team ("Atelier Irlanda") in design and presentation of an accessible urban design proposal

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Design and Architecture, with particular reference to:

Integration of technology into strategic design and detail for buildings.

Design with climate, including tropical architecture.

User-friendly Design for  built environments, Inclusive/Universal Design approaches.

Traditional Buildings and settlements, conservation and sustainability. 

Current Postgraduate Students

Dalton CathyDoctoral DegreeCo-Supervised

Contact details

  • Jim Harrison
    Lecturer
  • Cork Centre For Architectural Education
    Cork Centre For Architectural Education, 9/10 Copley Street, Cork
  • (353) 021 4298421

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