USC Architecture celebrates six individuals for 'redefining the creative landscape' at 2023 Architectural Guild Awards

The annual USC Architectural Guild honorees were presented during a special gala held last Tuesday, March 21st, from Warner Brothers’ studio in Burbank, California.

The school shared: “Each year, the USC Architectural Guild Dinner brings together the largest representation of the creative industries, with attendees comprising leaders and disruptors, designers and builders, architects and artists from across the spectrum of architecture, design, construction, and engineering, to generate funding towards scholarships and academic programming that allows USC Architecture students to pursue a well-rounded university experience regardless of their financial situation.”

“It’s a privilege to acknowledge these honorees for their passion, dedication and tireless efforts towards creating unique and impactful solutions for some of our world’s most pressing societal issues,” Willow Bay, the interim dean of USC School of Architecture said at the ceremony. “They — along with the builders, planners, disruptors, influencers and investors — create and make spaces in the world for dynamic, diverse communities to thrive.”

Scroll down to read more about each individual winner.

Citizen Architect Award — Issa Rae (Producer, Writer, Director, Actor)

"Rae will be honored for her work to advance change in creative communities by developing local talent and businesses, stretching and expanding the entertainment industry’s footprint into South Los Angeles."

*Rae is also heavily involved in fundraising efforts for Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile-long "cultural experience" corridor from Perkins&Will that is expected to open beginning in the fall of this year.

Lifetime Achievement Award — Mark Rios, Class of 1978 (Creative Director, RIOS)

"Rios is being honored for his exemplary accomplishments, spanning four decades, in redefining the boundaries of design and community, and his extensive, unparalleled body of work seen in complex spaces spanning across commercial, civic, hospitality, institutional, and residential sectors."

Distinguished Business Leadership Award — Hackman Capital Partners (Michael Hackman, CEO, and Reza Safavi, Class of 1984, Managing Principal, Real Estate Development)

"Hackman and Safavi are being acknowledged for their commitment to community and excellence in business practice having brought transformational change to real estate, content creation, and the future of the entertainment industry."

NextGen Award — Behnaz Farahi, Class of 2013 (Designer, Creative Technologist, and Critical Maker)

"Farahi will be recognized for her work initiating new dimensions for cerebral conversation around gender, politics, and the future of design."

Distinguished Alumnus Award — Jim House, Class of 1981 (Founding Principal, House & Robertson Architects, Inc.)

"House is being recognized for his significant achievement in architecture and related fields, including his outstanding level of service to the professional and academic community and his compassionate, collaborative leadership in working to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world."

The 63rd edition of the event succeeded in raising $1.1 million, which will be used toward funding student scholarships and academic programming for the School of Architecture.

Learn more about the award winners here.