James “Jim” Furr’s journey began in a small Louisiana town, later moving to Monroe, where he graduated from high school. He pursued his passion for architecture at LSU, earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1969, and served in the US Army Reserves. In 1967, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Jo, and they relocated to Houston in 1970. There, he joined Neuhaus+Taylor, which evolved into 3D/I. At 3D/I, Jim led the Interiors team and eventually the entire office. In 1987, he co-founded Hoover & Furr Architects, a subsidiary of 3D/I.

In 1994, Jim was recruited by Gensler, where he served as Managing Principal of the Houston office and the South Central Region for over two decades. His leadership was instrumental in establishing the Houston office as the largest design firm in the city, significantly shaping the Houston skyline.

Promoted to Regional Managing Principal, Jim oversaw the growth of the Houston office and the opening of new offices in Dallas and Austin, forming the South Central Region. He also represented his region on Gensler’s Board of Directors and Management Committee. Jim’s leadership and vision laid the foundation for the region’s success, bringing in major projects and fostering lasting client relationships, including:

• Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Reliant Energy Tower at 1000 Main
• ExxonMobil Campus Project
• Anadarko Petroleum Headquarters
• Houston Ballet Center for Dance
• City Centre Mixed-Use Development
• Hess Tower at Discovery Green
• Kinder High School for the Performing & Visual Arts
• Hilton Americas Hotel
• Alkek Tower for Biomedical Science at Baylor College of Medicine

Jim’s dedication to his profession earned him election to the AIA College of Fellows in 1987. He served as President of AIA Houston in 1994, Vice President of the Texas Society of Architects in 1996, and President of the Rice Design Alliance. With over 43 years of professional experience, Jim is licensed in more than 14 states.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jim has been a pillar of the Houston community, serving on numerous boards, including The Heritage Society, Houston Arts Fund, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, Contemporary Arts Museum, Blaffer Art Museum, Central Houston, Inc., University of Houston School of Architecture Leadership Council, and New Hope Housing. For over 20 years, he was a senior lecturer at the Rice University School of Architecture.

Jim and Jo celebrated 58 years of marriage in June. Reflecting on his life, Jim once remarked that his greatest project was his two children, now including his five stellar grandchildren.

His daughter, Dr. Erin Furr Stimming, a Neurologist and Professor of Neurology at UT McGovern Medical School, lives in Houston with her husband, Chris, and their sons, Hopson, Eason, and Wells. His son, O’Neal Furr, an architect and Senior Associate at Gensler, resides in Houston with his wife, Grace, and their daughters, Josephine and Juliette.

Since retiring, Jim holds the title of Managing Principal Emeritus at Gensler, focusing on client and community service and mentoring the firm’s next generation of leaders.