Bio:

Harold Richard Varner was a native of Detroit. He received his architectural education from Lawrence Technological University and became a licensed architect in 1967. He joined fellow African American architect Howard Sims’ firm in 1973, forming the firm Sims-Varner Associates. Varner served on the Michigan Board of Architects and in 1981 was elected to the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows. Varner had a long and esteemed career, defying the odds in a profession where black architects comprise less two percent of the total.

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Year of Elevation: 

2013

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Featured Project Name: 

University of Michigan School of Social Work

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Featured Project Location: 

Ann Arbor, MI

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

1997

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Role in Featured Project: 

Principal Architect with Howard F. SIms

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Featured Project Description:

Completed in 1997, University of Michigan's School of Social Work Building continues to be a staple on the campus.

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Photography Credit:

University of Michigan School of Social Work