Oscar Harris collection

Oscar Lewis Harris, Jr. is a notable architect, artist, mentor, and author. During his over 40 year career, he created and designed “symbols of civilization” as a part of the Atlanta skyline and other cities in the South.

Harris was born in 1943 in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA to Oscar and Marjorie Harris. He attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics in 1967. After graduating, he enrolled at Howard University’s School of Architecture. In 1968, he would leave Howard to return to Pittsburgh and attend Carnegie Mellon University. In 1971, Harris received a Master’s in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon.

Harris began his career in Pittsburgh then moved to Silver Springs, MD in 1972. By 1973, he was offered a job from Parsons Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglass, later Parsons Brinckerhoff/Tudor, in Atlanta, GA. During his time at Parsons, Harris worked on designing the Five Points MARTA station. He also worked for JW Robinson Architects. He designed the John Lewis Recreation Center at Morris Brown College for JW Robinson Architects.

In 1977, Harris opened a satellite office of Turner Associates Architects and Planners in Atlanta, GA. The headquarters of the firm was in Washington, D.C. In 1980, Harris bought out ownership of Turner Associates Atlanta. For over 35 years, Turner Associates designed and created memorable structures in Atlanta and elsewhere. Notable projects include MARTA stations: Hamilton Holmes, Perimeter, and Doraville. Other significant projects include Underground Atlanta Revitalization, Fulton County Government Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitor Center, Kilgore Student Center at Morehouse College, Atlanta Airport Atrium, Concourse E Atlanta Airport, Centennial Olympic Park light towers, the Look of the Centennial Olympic Games, Olympic Field Hockey Stadium, Atlanta Courthouse, Sam Nunn Federal Center in Atlanta, GA, Augusta Richmond Courthouse in Augusta, GA, Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta, GA, and many more.

During his career, he founded OLH International, a program management company that worked closely with Turner Associates. He served in several organizations, such as fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Georgia State Board of Architects, the board of trustees of Carnegie Mellon University, trustee at Lincoln University, and director and co-founder of the Urban Land Institute National Inner City Council program. Harris received multiple awards throughout his career for his projects included 2003 Small Business Person of the Year from the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneur of the Year from the Atlanta Business League.

Harris married Sylvia Harris in 1971. They had three children: Myka, Todd, and Tarik. Since retiring, Harris has continued to follow his passions and is an artist. His work is inspired by jazz and often feature depictions of buildings and skylines.