Patricia E. Harris is a registered architect and the President of The Harris Collaborative, PLLC, located in Durham, North Carolina. A graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, Pat received a Master of Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a builder and master planner, Pat is highly experienced in planning, programming, design, group facilitation, and construction. She has designed and constructed numerous new homes and renovations and served as an advisor to several organizations. Her private homes reflect her belief that buildings are to nurture and uplift the human spirit through judicious use of natural lighting, appropriate materials, and attention to functional relationships. Since relocating to Durham in 1990, Pat joined the Freelon Group architectural firm and served two terms on the Durham City/County Planning Commission. During her tenure, she served on committees to review zoning changes, the development of small area plans and developed the Durham County's 2020 Master Plan. She ended her tenure in 1998 as Chair of the Zoning Committee and Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission. She is also the former State Vice President of the NC Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), of which she was a founding member. In 1995 she founded The New Synergy, Inc. to provide architecture and planning for institutional, municipal, and private clients focusing in the areas of community revitalization, historic preservation, and innovative new construction through appropriate technologies. The firm participated in both private and public planning efforts and performed award-winning full architecture services on several significant endeavors including designing the new Town Hall for Princeville, NC, the first town in the U.S. incorporated by African-Americans; City Place, the first adaptive reuse project for the Durham Central Park area; the award-winning campus-wide restoration and renovation of 15 buildings at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC; and other educational and municipal endeavors. In 2005, Ms. Harris closed The New Synergy, Inc. after ten years of success and receiving over 25 awards including Small Business of the Year award twice in separate categories and inclusion in the National Registry of Peer Professionals. In 2006, Ms. Harris formed The Harris Collaborative, PLLC, to provide consulting services in the areas of planning and architecture. She has performed professional services for the new Durham Performing Arts Center and the new Durham County Judicial Building; programming and schematic design for adaptive reuse of a 100,000 s.f. former school to provide recreation activities, vocational training, and a health clinic; advanced planning for an Enrichment Center which will provide recreation and educational tutoring services; several economic revitalization projects, and other community and municipal based endeavors. Ms. Harris’ community involvement has included service on the Loan Review Committee for the NC Association of Community Development Corporations, the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation Board, the Historic Preservation Society of Durham, the Architectural Advisory Committee for Durham Technical College, and the Downtown Durham, Inc. Board of Directors. She also visits and lectures to various community organizations, colleges/universities, and schools to present information about minorities and women in architecture.
