For decades now, architect Sinclair Black has been our critic, gadfly, and conscience, demanding better urban design from the city of Austin and developers. In his younger years, Black was seen as irritatingly abrasive, if visionary. Now that he's acquired the patina of age, Black, 67, is credited with wisdom and even greatness. As well he should be. Austin owes Black a deep bow of thanks for its Great Streets program, his advocacy for good civic design, and his current work on environmental issues like Greenprinting. As a UT professor and design firm principal, Black also has inspired a younger generation.
