Bio:
The great designer ,Gabrielle oversees Perkins+Will’s Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement program, which works to support and strengthen a firmwide culture to embrace a diversity of people, colors, talents, thoughts, and ideas. Her role as an award-winning principal and the firm’s Director of Global Diversity enables her to combine her passion for architecture and social justice to effect positive change at a micro and macro level. Over the course of her career, she has led numerous complex high-profile projects.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I knew I wanted to be an architect since age 12. Growing up in New York City, I wanted to improve and positively impact the lives of black and brown people in the urban city. My goal was to focus on the design of multi-family housing.

What do you do?
As an architect I lead and manage projects and teams largely focused on cultural, commercial and healthcare. As Director of Global Diversity I lead PERKINS+WILL’s strategic initiatives to broaden diversity, inclusion and engagement firmwide.

What excites you in the work you do?
Being able to marry my architectural endeavors with my commitment to social justice has enriched my professional life. There is nothing more satisfying than contributing to the transformation of a neighborhood, a community, a city.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by clients, designers and architects who are driven by social purpose and cultural enrichment. Buildings and projects like the National Museum of African American History and Culture and Destination Crenshaw are two examples.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Establishing and leading our Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement program. The positive impact on our firm, the industry and the pipeline has been an incredible affirmation of the importance of a more diverse, inclusive and equitable profession.
 

Object:

Object Two - Practice Management, or Practice Technical Advancement

 

Year of Elevation: 

2014

Featured Project Name: 
Destination Crenshaw 
 
Featured Project Location: 
Los Angeles, CA
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Spring 2020

Role in Featured Project: 
Managing Principal 
 
Featured Project Description:
Destination Crenshaw’s design was driven by a unifying theme—Grow Where You’re Planted, inspired by the African Giant Star Grass. Used by slave traders as bedding on ships, the grass thrives in alien lands despite inhospitable conditions. It remains a profoundly resonant reminder of African American history, the patterns of global dispersion and black resilience in the face of violence and racism. Like the Giant Star Grass, the Black LA community has irrepressible roots that have flourished and spread.

Photography Credit:
Perkins+Will