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 August 22, 1935 Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Died | December 14, 2013 (aged 78) Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Education | Lawrence Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | Nancy Elizabeth Hunter (m. 1960–2013; death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Fellow of the American Institute of Architect (1981) |
| Buildings | Charles 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
- ^ a b c "Harold Varner (Aug. 22, 1935 – Dec. 14, 2013)". Historic Detroit. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b Who's Who Among African Americans. Gale Research International, Limited. July 2002. p. 1309. ISBN 978-0-7876-5729-1.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d "Sims-Varner and Associates". Docomomo US. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ a b "Alumni Notes". Lawrence Institute of Technology Alumni Magazine. Summer 1980. p. 37.
- ^ a b "A designer's designer Architect Howard Sims helped create blue print for post-rebellion Detroit". The Michigan Chronicle. 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Bragg, Amy Elliott (May 7, 2022). "Wright Museum marks 35 years in the Cultural Center". Crain's Detroit Business.
- ^ "Harold R. Varner". Beyond the Built Environment. 2013. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ Travis, Jack (1991). African American Architects in Current Practice. Princeton Architectural Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-878271-38-9.
- ^ Neubacher, Jim (September 24, 1972), "Crisis Seen In Apartment Subsidy Plan", Detroit Free Press, p. 3, and p.4
- ^ a b Gallagher, John (October 8, 1991). "Crusader Steps Down". Detroit Free Press. p. 16. and pg. 17
- ^ "Consulates". Crain's Detroit Business. March 16, 1996.