With the Second Soviet occupation threatening their homeland, his family embarked on a daring escape, eventually finding refuge in Displaced Persons camps throughout war-torn Europe before making their way to the United States and settling down in Minneapolis.
His talent and unwavering determination propelled him to the prestigious MIT School of Architecture and Planning, where he completed a master's degree under the guidance of Eduardo Catalano, while the renowned Pietro Belluschi held the position of dean.
Austris' groundbreaking thesis, "A Laboratory Building for Research and Development," not only became a significant milestone in his career, but also captured the attention of the architectural community at large.
With this illustrious recognition, Austris made a bold move to the San Francisco Bay Area, joining the ranks of Frank L. Hope & Associates.
Undeterred by the lengthy weekly commute to the Frank L. Hope office in San Diego, Austris' passion for architecture remained unshakable.