Harold Varner (architect)

(Redirected from Harold Richard Varner)

Harold Richard Varner, FAIA, (1935–2013) was an American architect, active in Detroit.[1][2] Varner was a leader within the Black architectural firm Sims–Varner (now known as SDG Associates).[3]

Harold Varner
Born
Harold Richard Varner

(1935-08-22)August 22, 1935
Detroit, Michigan, United States
DiedDecember 14, 2013(2013-12-14) (aged 78)
Detroit, Michigan, United States
EducationLawrence Institute of Technology
OccupationArchitect
SpouseNancy Elizabeth Hunter (m. 1960–2013; death)
Children2
AwardsFellow of the American Institute of Architect (1981)
BuildingsCharles H. Wright Museum of African American History (1985)

Early life and education

edit

Harold Richard Varner was born on August 22, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit.[4] Varner attended Lawrence Institute of Technology (now Lawrence Technological University) and graduated with a B.S. degree in architectural engineering (1965).[2][5]

He was married to Nancy Elizabeth Hunter, and they had two daughters.[1]

Career

edit

In 1967, Varner became a licensed architect in the state of Michigan.[4]

He joined the architectural firm Howard Sims & Associates in 1973; the firm was founded in 1964 by Black architect Howard Sims in Detroit.[6] By 1976, the firm name was changed to Sims–Varner to reflect a new Varner partnership, and Varner was named as the executive vice president.[6] He designed (with Sims–Varner) many notable buildings and structures including the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (1985);[7] University of Michigan School of Social Work (1997);[8] and the Millender Center station (1987), a Detroit People Mover station and sky bridge.[1]

Varner was part of the AIA National Housing Committee, from 1970 until 1973.[9] In the 1970s, Varner was interested in modifying the government run apartment subsidy plans (like HUD's section 236).[10] Varner served on the Michigan State Licensing Board for Architects, from 1978 until 1991.[4][11] When he stepped down from the state licensing board role, he warned of potential issues with unlicensed builders in Michigan.[11]

He was honored as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1981.[4] He served as an honorary Consul General to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.[12]

Varner died after a long illness on December 14, 2013 at Harper University Hospital in Detroit.[3]

Awards and honors

edit

Varner won the following awards

  • Lambda lota Tau Award, Academic Excellence, 1963
  • Alumni Achievement Award, Lawrence Technological University, 1971[5]
  • Black Alumni Excellence Award, Lawrence Technological University, 1980

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Harold Varner (Aug. 22, 1935 – Dec. 14, 2013)". Historic Detroit. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  2. ^ a b Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale Research International, Limited. July 2002. p. 1309. ISBN 978-0-7876-5729-1.
  3. ^ a b "Detroit architect Harold Varner dies at age 78". AP News. December 18, 2013. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Sims-Varner and Associates". Docomomo US. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  5. ^ a b "Alumni Notes". Lawrence Institute of Technology Alumni Magazine. Summer 1980. p. 37.
  6. ^ a b "A designer's designer Architect Howard Sims helped create blue print for post-rebellion Detroit". The Michigan Chronicle. 2016-04-04. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  7. ^ Bragg, Amy Elliott (May 7, 2022). "Wright Museum marks 35 years in the Cultural Center". Crain's Detroit Business.
  8. ^ "Harold R. Varner". Beyond the Built Environment. 2013. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  9. ^ Travis, Jack (1991). African American Architects in Current Practice. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-878271-38-9.
  10. ^ Neubacher, Jim (September 24, 1972), "Crisis Seen In Apartment Subsidy Plan", Detroit Free Press, p. 3, and p.4
  11. ^ a b Gallagher, John (October 8, 1991). "Crusader Steps Down". Detroit Free Press. p. 16. and pg. 17
  12. ^ "Consulates". Crain's Detroit Business. March 16, 1996.
edit