Gabrielle Bullock: Architect Redefining Design

Gabrielle Bullock is an award-winning architect and Director of Global Diversity at Perkins&Will. The second Black woman to graduate from RISD’s architecture program, she has led major projects like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center while championing diversity in architecture.

When Gabrielle Bullock was 12 years old, she saw the public housing projects in New York City and made a decision. She would become an architect to change how people of color lived. That childhood promise has shaped a remarkable 30-plus year career.

Today, Gabrielle Bullock stands as one of only 444 Black female architects in the United States. She has broken barriers as a principal architect at Perkins&Will and created the firm’s Director of Global Diversity position. Her story combines exceptional design work with a commitment to social justice.

This article explores Bullock’s journey from the Bronx to leading complex healthcare projects and transforming the architecture profession. You’ll learn about her major projects, her diversity work, and why her impact extends far beyond buildings.

Early Years in the Bronx

Born in Harlem and raised in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, Bullock had artistic ability from an early age. Her mother was somewhat artistic, and Bullock loved to draw.

At 12, a teacher named Mrs. Kravitz changed everything. She suggested Bullock could become an architect. That single comment sparked a lifelong calling.

Growing up in New York, Bullock noticed stark differences. Her family lived comfortably in Riverdale, a predominantly white neighborhood. But she had friends and family in public housing projects. The contrast troubled her deeply.

“Traversing the city and seeing the public housing and how people of color lived, it impacted me greatly,” Bullock explained in interviews. She saw architecture as a tool for change. Everyone deserved beautiful, healthy places to live.

Breaking Barriers at RISD

In 1984, Bullock graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with degrees in fine arts and architecture. She became the second Black woman in RISD’s history to earn an architecture degree.

The experience was challenging. Bullock was the first person in her family to attend college. She relied on financial aid, Pell Grants, and worked summers and evenings to pay her way.

She often found herself as the only woman in the room. More significantly, she was typically the only Black woman. No professor or critic looked like her. The curriculum didn’t address designing for different cultures.

Bullock felt invisible at times but refused to fail. She put in double the time to understand architectural language and concepts. Her thesis, “Housing and Harlem,” focused on redesigning low-income housing.

“I went through the paces and just thought to myself, ‘I guess this is how it’s done,'” Bullock reflected years later. “Forty years later I realized that it didn’t have to be that way.”

Building a Career in Architecture

After graduation, Bullock pursued her mission to design affordable housing. She joined firms focused on this work. Unfortunately, they closed during the mid-1980s recession.

Rather than abandon her purpose, Bullock shifted focus. “If there isn’t housing getting built, I could still do purpose-driven buildings,” she reasoned.

She joined the New York-based firm Russo & Sonder, which Perkins&Will eventually acquired. Bullock has now worked with Perkins&Will for over three decades.

Rising to Leadership

Bullock worked in both the New York and Los Angeles studios. In 2005, she became Managing Director of the Los Angeles office. She was the first African American and first woman to hold this position.

This achievement was significant in an industry where representation remains limited. Black architects comprise 2-3 percent of all architects, while Black women represent just 0.2 percent.

Major Architectural Projects

Throughout her career, Bullock has led numerous high-profile projects. Her work focuses on how design impacts health and wellbeing.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

One of Bullock’s most prominent projects was the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. This massive undertaking ranks among the largest building projects ever completed for the University of California system.

Bullock’s design philosophy centered on natural light. She ensured every patient room received daylight. Every hallway ends in a window to bring in sunshine.

This wasn’t just aesthetic. Research shows natural light improves patient outcomes and reduces hospital stays. Bullock’s design choices directly impacted health.

Healthcare and Education Projects

Bullock brought similar sensibilities to other projects:

• Beckman Research Center at City of Hope
• USC’s Health Sciences Campus
• King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia

Working on the Saudi Arabia project opened her eyes. The experience highlighted the need for cultural competence in architecture. Different communities have vastly different needs and expectations.

Destination Crenshaw

More recently, Bullock has led Destination Crenshaw, a project close to her heart. This 1.3-mile outdoor museum celebrates Black Los Angeles history and culture along Crenshaw Boulevard.

The project emerged from the construction of the LAX/Crenshaw light rail line. Rather than let the train obliterate the area’s sense of place, the community decided to preserve and celebrate it.

Destination Crenshaw features public art installations, cultural facilities, and music events. It’s not a traditional museum with galleries and buildings. Instead, the boulevard itself becomes the backdrop.

“We’re asking the community for their stories,” Bullock explained. “We’re asking: ‘What’s your experience and how can we reflect that in an iconic way?'”

The community involvement sets this project apart. Bullock emphasizes that her team are partners, not saviors. Local residents shape every decision.

“So far it is the most rewarding project I’ve been involved with, because it will have such an impact and is truly driven by the community,” Bullock said.

Creating the Diversity Role

In 2013, Bullock approached Perkins&Will CEO Phil Harrison with a proposal. She wanted to create a Director of Global Diversity position.

As a female African American architect, Bullock understood the profession’s diversity problem intimately. She often found herself as the only woman and only person of color in meetings.

The Business Case for Diversity

Perkins&Will saw the value. Research demonstrates that diverse workforces fuel innovation. A diverse team brings richer, more nuanced understanding of how to build for a diverse world.

Bullock launched the Global Diversity Initiative with a tour of every Perkins&Will office. She had honest, sometimes difficult conversations with staff. From this research, she developed a strategic plan.

Today, Bullock splits her time: 50 percent on architecture projects, 50 percent on diversity work. She oversees the Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement program across Perkins&Will’s global offices.

Why Diversity Matters

“The more diverse and inclusive we are, the more creative we are,” Bullock emphasizes. But diversity isn’t just about optics.

It means diversity in perspective and thought. A robust design team creates more thoughtful, effective solutions. This matters especially in a service industry where companies should reflect the populations they serve.

Bullock’s work extends beyond Perkins&Will. She co-authored the AIA white paper: “Creating a Culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Your Architectural Practice.”

Awards and Recognition

Bullock’s contributions have earned significant recognition:

• 2020 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award from the American Institute of Architects for commitment to social justice
• Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), elected by peers in 2014
• President-Elect of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) in 2017, serving as president in 2018-2019
• Board member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) since 1993

The Whitney Young Award recognizes architects who embody social responsibility and address issues like affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal access.

Carlton T. Edwards, who supported Bullock’s nomination, wrote that having her advocate for architects of color has been “extremely valuable.” Damon Leverett noted that while being highly engaged in the profession’s culture, “she maintains a progressive career as an architect and designer.”

Challenges and Barriers

Bullock’s path hasn’t been easy. She’s faced significant challenges throughout her career.

Communication and Perception

One of the biggest hurdles has been perception. People’s assumptions about Bullock were often tied to the “angry Black woman” stereotype rather than her actual communication style.

“While my white female counterpart could be direct, and my white male counterpart could be direct, when I’m direct, it’s frequently characterized very differently,” Bullock explained.

She had to carefully hone her leadership communication style to be heard fairly.

Isolation in Spaces

Being one of few members of an underrepresented group can be isolating. “You don’t necessarily feel like anyone else in the room can relate to your perspective,” Bullock notes.

At RISD, she encountered a singular approach to architecture education that didn’t resonate with students from varying cultural backgrounds. The architectural language felt foreign.

Yet Bullock turned these challenges into motivation. “When you’re the only one in the room, and you don’t see anybody that looks like you, you can either try and disappear or make yourself more visible and better,” she said.

She chose visibility.

Mentorship and Education

Mentorship matters deeply to Bullock. She wishes someone had been doing her current work when she started her career.

“I wish there was someone like you!” she told an interviewer. “I wish there were more conversations around innovation of our profession, and not innovation in the buildings per se.”

Bullock has led initiatives through NOMA, including Project Pipeline Architecture Summer Camp. This program encourages minority youth to explore design careers.

She regularly speaks at architecture schools across Southern California:

• USC Architecture School (delivered 2019 commencement address)
• California Baptist University in Riverside
• Otis College of Art and Design
• Rhode Island School of Design (participated in MLK Series 2024)

She’s even visited elementary schools to share what architects do. When her daughter attended Hancock Park Elementary, Bullock spoke to students about the profession.

Advice for Future Architects

Bullock’s advice to aspiring architects, especially women and people of color:

“Choose a path and firm that aligns with your values. For women and people of color, you will likely be the only one in a room at some point. Don’t feel less than; celebrate it.”

She encourages people to work for firms where they see others like themselves. Representation in leadership matters.

Personal Life and Balance

Despite her demanding career, Bullock maintains a rich personal life. She lives in Windsor Square, Los Angeles, with her husband, actor Rocky Carroll (known for his role on “NCIS”), and their daughter.

She loves the walkability and diversity of her neighborhood. “It reminds me more of New York than any other place,” she says.

Bullock regularly walks to Larchmont Boulevard, exploring boutiques and restaurants. She still draws portraits in pen-and-ink and pencil—faces of her husband, daughter, sister, and herself. “I’m fascinated with the face,” she explains.

She has served on multiple boards:

• Girl Scouts of America (designed Camp Lakota in Frazier Park pro bono)
• USC Architectural Guild
• Center for Architecture and Urban Design Los Angeles

Bullock firmly believes that having a family and successful career are not mutually exclusive. Among her many accomplishments, she finds the most pride and joy in being both a wife and mother.

Architectural Philosophy

Bullock’s approach to architecture centers on several key principles:

Design for Social Justice

Architecture can be a tool for social change. Buildings should positively impact the lives of all people, particularly underserved communities.

“Being able to marry my architectural endeavors with my commitment to social justice has enriched my professional life,” Bullock says. “There is nothing more satisfying than contributing to the transformation of a neighborhood, a community, a city.”

Community-Centered Design

Modern architecture focuses less on iconic buildings and star architects. Projects now center on communities.

“The focus is not just on the building, it’s on who’s going to use it, how are the users going to experience it, how does it represent the community and how will the design impact the community?” Bullock explains.

This shift excites her. It aligns with her lifelong mission to design for people.

Cultural Competence

Real design solutions require understanding cultural differences. Bullock learned this working on international projects like the co-ed university in Saudi Arabia.

Authentic design emerges from genuine cultural understanding, not assumptions.

Current Work and Future Impact

Today, Bullock continues splitting her time between architecture and diversity work at Perkins&Will. She speaks at conferences, talks to university and elementary school students, and works to shift the profession’s demographics.

She participates in the AIA’s Equity in Architecture Commission, transforming the profession to be more equitable. She remains active in NOMA and IIDA.

The numbers have improved somewhat, but Bullock acknowledges it’s a journey. Progress takes time, especially reversing historical imbalances.

Architectural schools now see closer to 50-50 gender splits in applicants, and Hispanic representation is growing, though African Americans still represent around five percent.

The Pipeline Challenge

Bullock emphasizes that real change starts in the classroom, not the studio. The industry must strengthen the pipeline for underrepresented groups.

This requires:

• Scholarships and financial support
• Mentorship programs
• Exposure to architecture in K-12 education
• Partnerships with historically Black colleges and minority-serving institutions
• Firms actively recruiting and promoting diverse talent

Perkins&Will has partnered with Harvard Graduate School of Design on mentorship programs to build a pipeline of Black design talent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gabrielle Bullock?

Gabrielle Bullock is an award-winning architect and Director of Global Diversity at Perkins&Will, the second Black woman to graduate from RISD’s architecture program.

What is Gabrielle Bullock known for?

She’s known for leading major healthcare projects like Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and championing diversity in architecture through her groundbreaking global diversity role.

What is Destination Crenshaw?

Destination Crenshaw is a 1.3-mile outdoor museum along Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles celebrating Black history and culture through public art and community engagement.

How many Black female architects are in the US?

There are approximately 444 licensed Black female architects in the United States, representing just 0.2 percent of all architects.

What awards has Gabrielle Bullock won?

She received the 2020 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, was elected Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and served as IIDA president.

Conclusion

Gabrielle Bullock’s journey from a 12-year-old dreamer in the Bronx to a leading architect and diversity champion demonstrates the power of purpose-driven work. She hasn’t just designed buildings. She has reshaped the architecture profession itself.

Her major projects show how thoughtful design improves lives. Natural light in hospital rooms. Community-driven public art celebrating Black culture. These aren’t just aesthetic choices. They’re statements about who deserves beauty, health, and recognition.

Perhaps more importantly, Bullock has opened doors for those who will follow. She created a diversity role at a major firm when almost no one else had. She mentors students and speaks at schools. She co-authors guidelines for the industry.

The architecture profession still has work to do. Representation remains limited. But thanks to leaders like Bullock, the conversation has changed. The path forward is clearer.

When you look at a building, you’re seeing someone’s vision of how people should live, work, and gather. Bullock asks: Whose vision gets built? Who sits at the table making these decisions? Her life’s work ensures more voices join that conversation.