James Sheldrake was this year’s winner of the Lee Harris Bursary 2025 with his proposal: ‘Designing for Darkness in Iceland’.
The Lee Harris Bursary commemorates a talented colleague and his girlfriend, Sam, who we very sadly lost in the 2005 London Bombings. Inspired by Lee’s love of photography, travel and architecture, the bursary was established to provide an opportunity for our staff to travel anywhere in the world and explore their architectural passions – then share them with the studio.
This Autumn, James travelled to Iceland to study the light, landscape and wellbeing of this dramatic environment. Travelling across the South of the island, he visited key sites in Reykjavik, Hella, Vik and Hof. In his photography, James captured the movement of water, the stillness of land, the shimmer of glass, and the glow inside the ice. He presented a full overview of his trip to the studio, past recipients of the prize, friends of the practice and Lee’s parents.
His presentation, “A Study of Light, Landscape & Wellbeing,” explored how Iceland’s extremes—shifting daylight, volcanic terrain, and glacial expanses—shape design thinking. From Viking turf houses to contemporary landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall, James traced Iceland’s architectural evolution, showing how buildings harmonize with nature rather than dominate it.
Central to the talk was the interplay of light, Landscape and wellbeing: how seasonal extremes inspire bright colours, creative spaces, and spa culture to counter long winters. James concluded by reflecting on lessons for modern architecture—embracing simplicity, sustainability, and a profound respect for landscape.
