Sam Manning: Texas Architect and Clayton Korte Partner

Today, Clayton Korte recognizes Sam Manning, AIA, who is celebrating ten years with the firm. Named partner in 2016 after demonstrating his exceptional talents in the field, Sam is a Texas architect who is committed to creating distinguished architecture and design. Involved in countless projects that have contributed to the firm’s reputation for excellence, Sam is an invaluable member of the Clayton Korte team.

Sam’s path to a career in architecture and design was a unique one. Born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, young Sam was a LEGO fanatic with a proclivity towards imagining, creating, and making. A positive experience in 7th grade shop class led to participation in his high school’s architecture program. Thanks to the school’s well-funded program—replete with AutoCAD and drafting tables—Sam’s passion for the discipline steadily grew. Early exposure to the field led to focused study at Washington State University. Following graduation, he worked for a firm in Spokane, Washington before moving to Austin in 2010. Upon arrival, he sought out Clayton Korte because of the firm’s diverse portfolio.

In his first decade at the firm, Sam has played a leading role in numerous remarkable hospitality projects including Eberly, Jeffrey’s and Josephine House in Austin, and The Bottling Department Food Hall, Savor, and Southerleigh in San Antonio’s historic Pearl. Today, Sam leads in progress work including Veramendi House and Potchernick’s Cervecería both in San Antonio. His devotion to working with the history of original spaces and incorporating existing natural elements into his projects is clearly evidenced in all his works.

As for his design philosophy, Sam says, “Great architecture is about placemaking and creating memorable experiences. Light, texture, space and atmosphere all have a role to play in that experience. It’s our responsibility as designers to make spaces as enjoyable as possible for the communities it serves.”