The 1976 Dustin Hoffman film Marathon Man ranks among my top ten movies of all time. I connected with it not only because I was just beginning my love affair with running the Town Lake Trail—now known as the Lady Bird Lake Trail—but also because, like many people, the infamous “Is it safe?” scene evoked memories of tense visits to the dentist.

The reviews were strong:

• Roger Ebert praised the film for its “moment-by-moment suspense” and “character-driven storytelling.”

• Others called it “a truly harrowing film” with an “unrelenting attack on the viewer’s nerves.”

• Some described it as “taut” and “well-written,” even if “far-fetched and baffling.”

Interestingly, similar descriptors could be applied to another creative endeavor launched that same year: STG Design—then known as Oteri Tisdale Architects. Now, fifty years later, both the film and our firm celebrate milestone anniversaries.

Our practice has continually evolved, and like the film, it has been suspenseful, rich in storytelling, occasionally harrowing, taut, nerve-racking, and yes, sometimes baffling. But above all, it’s been the ride of a lifetime. From Austin’s deeply satisfying growth to our expansion into Nashville with Dell Technologies 25 years ago, followed by Houston and most recently Phoenix, the decades have flown by.

The number of people who have helped carry the load, shape our culture, and care for one another is countless. Careers have been launched, families formed, and children born—all while propelling our design practice forward. Whether through pencils, computers, 3D printing, or AI generation, the creative thread has remained constant.

Over the next 50 weeks, we’ll take a look back at the people, projects, and communities that reflect what we value and hold dear. The first 50 years? Just a great beginning.

Here’s to the next 50—where imagination meets impact, and where every challenge is an invitation to inspire and elevate human experience through the power of design.