About
Architect, Artist, Author,and Mentor
About
Architect, Artist, Author,and Mentor
Oscar Harris, FAIA is a notable architect, artist, author, and mentor. He is recognized as one of the most influential businessmen and prominent architects in the South with a successful career spanning over forty years. A serial entrepreneur, Harris has created hundreds of career opportunities for aspiring professionals through Turner Associates, OLH International, International Aviation Consultants, and the Atlanta Center for Creative Inquiry.
Artist
"Realizing and illustrating my creativity is a blessing"
Artist
"Realizing and illustrating my creativity is a blessing"
After an impressively successful career in architecture, Harris is now focused on pursuing his passion for art. Inspired by the blended musicality of jazz, Oscar’s art often reflects a mosaic encompassing different colors, textures, and themes.
Mentor
"The greatest thing I can do is help someone else reach their goals"
Mentor
"The greatest thing I can do is help someone else reach their goals"
“Harris not only prides himself on establishing one of the most successful architectural businesses of the South, but he also is heavily involved in mentoring urban youth.”
– The Grio.com
Oscar with ACCI Graduating Class
From his days as a young boy from a unique, supportive, community in Pittsburgh through his struggles to become one of the nation’s leading architects, Oscar Harris has seen it all and overcome seemingly impossible odds. Throughout his career, Oscar has struggled to bring diversity and equality to one of America’s most exclusive industries. Through his “give back and pay it forward” philosophy, Harris founded the Atlanta Center for Creative Inquiry, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to mentor, educate, and develop creative abilities in youth to promote greater diversity in the architecture, engineering and construction professions.
He has repeatedly been recognized for his commitment to youth development. Recently, Harris has been featured on NBC as one of The Grio’s 100 Most Influential Businessman and has been awarded the 2014 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award by the Boy Scouts of America for excellence in leadership and mentorship.
Author
"Sharing by written word and images my inner thinking has been greatly rewarding"
Author
"Sharing by written word and images my inner thinking has been greatly rewarding"
When you look over the skyline of Atlanta, Georgia...you see Oscar. When you walk through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport...you see Oscar. When you travel through Metropolitan Atlanta’s Rapid Transit Authority stations, including the world’s tallest escalator...you see Oscar. When you see the memorable rings of water and sparkles of light from Centennial Olympic Park...you see Oscar. All of this and much more represent the vision, dream, and accomplishments of Oscar L. Harris Jr., one of the first and most renowned African American architects to break into the industry. The revealing book, Oscar: The Memoir of a Master Architect, follows the remarkable life of Oscar Harris from childhood to becoming one of the most influential minority architects of his time.
In this gripping memoir, Harris takes you behind the scenes of crucial negotiations that opened the door for many minority architects and firms. Laying it all on the table, he shares what it took to break into one of the most exclusive professional circles: architecture. In photos and sketches never previously seen by the public, Harris reveals the process of transforming major projects from concept to reality. Many of the stories are raw and reveal difficult times, but also reflect the passion, aspirations, and determination of a true artist who turned his creative energies into tangible works of beauty and substance.
Whether you are an aspiring architect, industry professional, community leader or member, Oscar: The Memoir of a Master Architect is sure to inspire and educate. Order your copy today!
Architect
"Designing and having built your architectural ideas is a awesome feeling"
Architect
"Designing and having built your architectural ideas is a awesome feeling"
“Oscar is smart, focused and visionary and the city of Atlanta is all the better for his contributions.”
–Shirley Franklin, Former Atlanta Mayor
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.