Meet Harry Tarter: DCi’s Newest Team Member

What does it take to move a project from concept to completion well? Not just designing something that looks good on paper, but making sure it actually works in the field, stays on budget, and gets built the way it was intended. That’s the part of the process Harry is most interested in.

Harry, DCi’s Project Coordinator, grew up in Franklin, Tennessee and is a Middle Tennessee native. He went on to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he developed his foundation in architecture and design. His interest in the field started earlier, though - back in high school when he took his first architecture class and realized this was something he wanted to pursue. As part of his degree, Harry studied abroad in Barcelona at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia. While there, he focused on parametric and computational design, his program emphasized learning these systems before the emergence of AI.

Harry is working toward obtaining his Architecture license and is studying for his ARE exams, which he has already scheduled! He also holds a CSI CDT (Construction Documents Technologist) certification, reinforcing his strength in construction documents and project coordination.

Before joining DCi, Harry worked in residential design, where he gained experience in a smaller, fast-paced environment. Early in his career, he designed a townhouse development project that is currently under construction. It’s still his favorite project to date, largely because he’s been able to see it come to life from design to construction. That experience shaped how he approaches his work today.

Harry enjoys the details, especially design specifications, and likes being involved in the full process from start to finish. He’s analytical, strong with numbers, and focused on solving problems early, before they impact the project. Whether it’s helping a client think through a better approach or identifying potential issues ahead of time, he’s motivated by finding practical, workable solutions.

He was also known in his previous role for stepping in to develop internal standards. He helped design new project documentation methods and workflows, even spending time outside of work to get things in place. It’s a reflection of how he works - if something can be improved, he’ll take the initiative to fix it.

Harry chose DCi for a few key reasons: the design-build approach, the opportunity to work closely with both design and construction teams, and the ability to be part of a larger, stable firm with an ESOP structure. He’s especially interested in the industrial sector and the opportunity to be involved in projects from early concept through completion.

Outside of work, Harry enjoys cooking and even makes his own limoncello. He has a sailing license and hopes to spend a few months at sea one day, with a long-term goal of retiring to live on a sailboat. He also enjoys catching movies at the Belcourt Theatre and spending time with his girlfriend and their golden-terrier mix.

We’re glad to have him at DCi and look forward to the work ahead.