OSCAR L. HARRIS

Bio:

Oscar Harris was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he later attended college at Lincoln University. After graduating from Lincoln University, Harris continued his education at Howard University School of Architecture. He later received his Master’s in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University where he presently serves as a member on the Board of Trustees. As part of his legacy, Harris founded Turner Associates Architects and Planners Incorporated in 1977. Turner Associates has since become one of Atlanta’s leading architectural and planning firms with over three billion dollars in completed design/construction work and five million dollars in completed planning and management projects. Oscar’s innovative work includes Concourse E and Atrium at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, MLK Jr. Visitors Center, Atlanta-Fulton County Courthouse, the legendary Centennial Olympic Park, and hundreds of more iconic structures.

Object:

Object Five - Alternative career, volunteer work with organizations not directly connected with the built environment, or service to society

Year of Elevation: 

2006

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Featured Project Name: 

The Hermes Towers (Centennial Olympic Park)

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Featured Project Location: 

Atlanta, GA

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

July 1996

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Role in Featured Project: 

Architect / Founder of Firm

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Featured Project Description:

The Hermes Towers, a set of eight, 65-foot custom light towers, encircle the Centennial Plaza. Named after the Greek messenger god, the towers are stylized reproductions of markers that led the ancient Greeks to significant public spaces and events. Centennial Olympic Park, a 21 acre public park owned and operated by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, was built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as part of the infrastructure improvements for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

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Photography Credit:

Henry Incorporated