Texas Society of Architects Recognize Alums, Faculty with 2024 Honor Awards
Congratulations to alumnus Jim Susman (M.Arch ’79) and Professor Emeritus Sinclair Black (B.Arch ’62), who recently received the Texas Society of Architects’ 2024 Honor Awards. One of TxA’s highest honors, the annual Honor Awards recognizes exceptional members, firms, individuals, and organizations for outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture, the built environment, and quality of life in Texas.
A graduate of the School of Architecture’s Master of Architecture Program, Jim Susman, FAIA, was recognized with TxA’s highest honor, the Medal for Lifetime Achievement. Susman is a senior principal of STG Design, which he has led from a six-person startup to a key driver of some of Austin’s most transformational projects, including Block 185 (Google Tower) and the Seaholm Power Plant redevelopment. Beyond his work at STG, Susman has served as a leader within the Texas architectural community. He served as the AIA Austin president in 2016 and was named Texas Society of Architects’ Interim Executive Vice President in 2020. In addition, Susman is an active School of Architecture alumnus and has served on our Advisory Council for years. This year, he is taking over as vice chair of the council.
Professor Emeritus Sinclair Black, FAIA, who taught at the school for 101 semesters, was recognized with this year’s O’Neil Ford Medal for Design Achievement. As TxA notes, for more than 50 years, Black “has contributed to the breadth of the built environment in Central Texas through a body of work that collectively blurs the boundaries between architecture and urban design.” Considered an Austin visionary for his innovative and wide-ranging work, Black has helped shape Austin as a major, innovative American city and has served as a relentless advocate for the public good throughout his career. Beyond his 101 semesters here, Black has shaped the School of Architecture indefinitely through a transformative $5 million gift to enrich the school’s Urban Design Program, which has supported faculty, visiting lectures, and generations of students and funded outreach and collaborative efforts with the City and other community-serving organizations.
We are thrilled to celebrate Jim and Sinclair’s accomplishments alongside the Texas architectural community. They will be formally recognized at the Texas Society of Architects’ 85th annual Conference & Design Expo on October 3-5 in Houston.