Gabrielle Bullock, a name that’s shaking up the architecture world. But who is she? And why should you care? Let’s dive into the story of this remarkable woman who’s been breaking barriers since she was just 12 years old.
Early Life and Education
Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, Gabrielle Bullock wasn’t your average kid. While other 12-year-olds were busy with typical preteen stuff, she was dreaming up ways to change the world through architecture.
Gabrielle grew up in Riverdale, a leafy part of the Bronx. But she wasn’t blind to the stark differences in how people lived across the city. As she rode the subway to visit family and friends, she saw firsthand the poor conditions in public housing.
This early exposure lit a fire in young Gabrielle. She decided then and there that she wanted to be an architect. Her goal? To change the way people lived, especially folks of color.
In 1984, Gabrielle graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with degrees in fine arts and architecture. This wasn’t just a personal win. It was a historic moment. Gabrielle became only the second Black woman ever to earn an architecture degree from RISD.
Gabrielle Bullock Career Beginnings
Fresh out of college, Gabrielle headed back to New York. She was ready to make good on her childhood promise to improve living conditions.
But life had other plans. The mid-1980s brought a recession that hit the housing sector hard. Gabrielle worked for several firms specializing in low-income housing. But one by one, these firms went under.
It was a tough time, but Gabrielle didn’t give up. She decided to broaden her focus while still staying true to her mission. If she couldn’t build affordable housing, she’d find other ways to design buildings with a purpose.
Perkins and Will Journey
Gabrielle’s journey led her to Perkins and Will, a firm known for innovation and sustainability. It was a perfect fit for her values.
At Perkins and Will, Gabrielle has worn many hats over nearly three decades. She’s worked in both the New York and Los Angeles offices. In LA, she broke new ground by becoming the first African American and first woman to rise to the position of Managing Director.
But Gabrielle wasn’t content with just climbing the corporate ladder. She wanted to make a bigger impact.
Gabrielle Bullock Notable Projects
Throughout her career, Gabrielle has led many complex and high-profile projects. One standout is the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
When working on this project, Gabrielle focused on how design could impact health. She made sure every patient room was filled with natural light. Even the hallways end in windows to let in sunshine.
Gabrielle brought this same thoughtful approach to other projects like:
- Beckman Research Center at City of Hope
- USC’s Health Sciences Campus
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Recently, Gabrielle has been working on Destination Crenshaw. This project is close to her heart. It’s the largest Black public art project in the US, creating an open-air museum along Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Diversity and Inclusion Leadership
In 2013, Gabrielle took on a new challenge. She created a brand new role for herself: Director of Global Diversity at Perkins and Will.
Why? Because Gabrielle often found herself as the only woman and only person of color in the room. She knew this needed to change.
Here are some eye-opening stats Gabrielle shared:
- Black architects make up only 2-3% of all architects
- Black women architects? A tiny 0.2%
Gabrielle’s role focuses on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). She works on this both within Perkins and Will and in how the firm engages with clients.
Awards and Recognition
Gabrielle’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s racked up some impressive awards:
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) |
| 2019 | Whitney Young Award |
| 2020 | AIA Whitney Young Jr. Award |
| 2022 | AIA LA Gold Medal |
These awards recognize not just Gabrielle’s architectural skills, but her commitment to social justice and diversity in the field.
Gabrielle Bullock Personal Life
While Gabrielle’s professional life is well-documented, she keeps her personal life private. We do know she has a daughter and lives in Windsor Square.
Gabrielle credits the strong women in her family for supporting her dreams. They told her she could do anything she set her mind to, as long as she worked for it.
Architectural Philosophy
Gabrielle’s philosophy is simple: everyone deserves a beautiful, healthy place to live.
She believes in purpose-driven buildings. For Gabrielle, architecture isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about improving lives.
Her approach combines her passions for design and social justice. She uses architecture as a tool for positive change, both on a small and large scale.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Today, Gabrielle wears two important hats at Perkins and Will. She’s both a principal and the Director of Global Diversity.
In this unique role, Gabrielle:
- Leads the firm’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) program
- Works to create a culture that welcomes diverse people and ideas
- Measures the firm’s progress in diversity and inclusion
- Helps teams become more culturally competent
Design Approach
Gabrielle’s design approach is all about cultural competence. She believes that to design well for a community, you need to understand it.
She encourages her teams to:
- Stay curious about other cultures
- Learn from diverse designers’ experiences
- Engage communities as design partners
This approach has paid off. Gabrielle says diverse teams often win more work, especially on projects for communities of color.
Challenges Faced
Gabrielle’s journey hasn’t been easy. As one of very few Black women in architecture, she’s faced plenty of challenges.
But instead of letting these obstacles stop her, Gabrielle used them as fuel. They drove her to create change from within the industry.
One big challenge was the lack of diversity in architecture. Gabrielle tackled this head-on by creating her role as Director of Global Diversity.
Mentorship and Influence
Gabrielle doesn’t just work on buildings. She’s also building up the next generation of architects.
She often speaks at architecture and design schools across Southern California. She’s given talks at:
- USC Architecture School
- California Baptist University in Riverside
- Otis College of Art and Design
Gabrielle even visited her daughter’s elementary school to teach kids about what architects do.
Professional Affiliations
Gabrielle is active in many professional organizations. She’s:
- A member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
- A board member of the International Interior Design Association
- Served on the boards of Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles and the Center for Architecture and Urban Design Los Angeles
- Was the 2018-2019 President of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Through these roles, Gabrielle continues to push for more diversity and inclusion in architecture and design.
Conclusion
Gabrielle Bullock’s journey from a 12-year-old dreamer in the Bronx to a trailblazing architect and diversity champion is truly inspiring. She’s not just designing buildings; she’s reshaping the entire field of architecture. While there’s still work to be done, Gabrielle’s efforts are slowly but surely changing the face of architecture. Her story reminds us that with passion, perseverance, and a clear vision, one person really can make a difference.
