Gabrielle Bullock is an award-winning architect, Principal, and Director of Global Diversity at Perkins+Will. Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, she became the second Black woman to graduate from Rhode Island School of Design’s architecture program in 1984, breaking barriers throughout her three-decade career.
When you think about architects who’ve changed the game, Gabrielle Bullock’s name stands at the top. Her story isn’t just about designing buildings—it’s about redesigning an entire profession. From growing up in New York’s public housing projects to leading some of the nation’s most important architectural projects, her journey shows what happens when talent meets determination.
Gabrielle Bullock’s biography reveals a woman who knew her calling at age twelve and never looked back. She’s spent over 30 years proving that architecture can be both beautiful and purposeful. Her work touches lives in ways most people never see, from hospital rooms filled with natural light to community spaces that celebrate Black culture.
Who is Gabrielle Bullock?
Gabrielle Bullock is a Principal and Director of Global Diversity at Perkins+Will, one of the world’s leading architecture firms. She’s spent three decades shaping spaces that heal, inspire, and bring communities together. Her portfolio includes the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Destination Crenshaw, a celebration of Black culture in Los Angeles.
Born in Harlem in the early 1960s, Gabrielle represents only 0.2 percent of all architects in America—she’s one of roughly 444 Black female architects in the entire country. This rarity makes her achievements even more remarkable. She didn’t just enter a field that wasn’t built for her—she changed it from the inside.
Her husband is Rocky Carroll, the actor best known for playing Director Leon Vance on CBS’s “NCIS.” Together, they’ve raised a daughter named Elissa while both pursuing demanding careers. Gabrielle proves you can have a family and professional success without sacrificing either.
Beyond her architectural work, she created and leads the Justice, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity program at Perkins+Will. This role didn’t exist before her—the firm created it specifically to harness her vision for a more inclusive profession. She travels the world speaking about social equity in architecture and mentoring the next generation.
Early Life and Childhood
Gabrielle Bullock was born in Harlem and spent her formative years in the Bronx during the 1960s and 1970s. Her mother was an artist, which meant creativity flowed through their household from day one. Young Gabrielle inherited her mother’s talent for drawing and spent hours sketching portraits and album covers.
In 1968, her mother made a decision that would shape Gabrielle’s future. She moved the family to Riverdale, a predominantly white neighborhood in the Bronx, searching for better public schools. The Bullocks became one of the first families of color in the area. This experience taught Gabrielle early lessons about being “the only one” in the room—lessons that would serve her throughout her career.
Her artistic abilities earned her a spot at the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. This school has produced countless artists, musicians, and performers over the decades. But Gabrielle’s path took an unexpected turn when she was just twelve years old.
A teacher noticed her drawing skills and suggested she consider architecture. That simple comment sparked something in young Gabrielle’s mind. She started looking at her neighborhood differently, particularly the public housing projects that dominated the Bronx landscape. The buildings were dark, cramped, and seemed designed without considering the people who lived there.
Gabrielle made a decision that day. She would become an architect and redesign housing for low-income families. “If the windows were really small, I’d make great big windows,” she recalled years later. “Everybody loves sunshine, right?” At twelve, she already understood that good design wasn’t a luxury—it was a basic human need.
Education and College Years
Gabrielle enrolled at the Rhode Island School of Design in the early 1980s, pursuing degrees in both fine arts and architecture. RISD ranks among America’s most prestigious art and design schools. Getting accepted was an achievement—graduating would be another story entirely.
She was one of very few Black students in the architecture program. The isolation was real and constant. “Obviously, I felt a little invisible,” she admitted in later interviews. But feeling invisible didn’t mean she would fade away. Instead, she doubled down on her studies, determined to master the material and prove she belonged.
RISD’s architecture program was intense, filled with technical jargon and references to architectural movements she’d never encountered. During Winter Session—a six-week period where students could take any course they wanted—Gabrielle made a strategic choice. She spent those weeks reading everything her professors referenced. She built her own architectural education to fill the gaps, learning the language of the profession so she could eventually break its rules.
In 1984, Gabrielle graduated with degrees in fine arts and architecture. She became the second African American woman in RISD’s history to earn an architecture degree. Think about that—the second ever, at a school founded in 1877. Her achievement opened doors, but those doors led to challenges she couldn’t have anticipated.
Career Beginnings
Fresh out of RISD, Gabrielle had clear goals. She wanted to work for firms specializing in low-income housing in New York. This was 1984, right in the middle of a recession. Jobs were scarce, especially in the niche she’d chosen.
She found work with three small firms that focused on the projects she cared about. But the recession hit hard, and one by one, all three firms went under. Gabrielle faced a harsh reality—passion alone wouldn’t pay the bills. She had to rethink her strategy for survival in the architectural world.
She joined Russo & Sonder, a New York-based firm that would eventually be acquired by Perkins+Will. This move proved pivotal. At Perkins+Will, Gabrielle found a company that aligned with her values. The firm focused on the broader goals of society, not just profitable projects. It grew from one office to 27 offices and over 2,500 employees during her tenure.
Gabrielle specialized in healthcare architecture, studying how design impacts healing and wellbeing. She asked questions others weren’t asking: How does natural light affect patient recovery? What happens when every hallway ends in a window instead of a blank wall? These questions would define her approach to major projects.
Her early years taught her a crucial lesson. You can’t always work exactly where you want, but you can bring your values to wherever you work. She carried her commitment to improving lives through design into every project, even when those projects weren’t public housing.
Major Projects and Achievements
The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center stands as one of Gabrielle’s signature achievements. She served as project manager for nearly a decade on this massive undertaking—one of the largest building projects ever completed for the University of California system. The medical center opened in 2008, and Gabrielle’s influence shows in every patient room.
Every single patient room receives natural daylight. Every hallway ends with a window. These weren’t accidental design choices—they were intentional decisions based on research showing how light affects healing. Patients recover better when they can see outside, when they’re not trapped in windowless boxes. Gabrielle made sure UCLA’s medical center reflected that knowledge.
She brought similar thinking to the Beckman Research Center at City of Hope and USC’s Health Sciences Campus. Each project balanced cutting-edge medical needs with human-centered design. She also worked on the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia, learning hard lessons about cultural competence in international projects.
In 2017, Gabrielle began work on Destination Crenshaw, a project that combines everything she believes makes architecture meaningful. This 1.3-mile series of connected parks and outdoor art installations celebrates Black history and culture along Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. The community wasn’t just consulted—they were partners in every decision. “We’re partners, not saviors,” Gabrielle stated firmly. The first phase opened in early 2024.
Destination Crenshaw represents Gabrielle’s vision fully realized. It’s public space. It serves a community of color. It brings beauty to everyday life. And it happened because she brought together her architectural skills with her commitment to social justice.
Breaking Barriers in Architecture
In 2005, Gabrielle made history at Perkins+Will. She became the first African American and the first woman to rise to the position of Managing Director of the Los Angeles office. She led the office for eight years, managing complex projects while navigating the reality of often being the only woman and only person of color in meetings.
The numbers tell a stark story. Black architects make up only 2 to 3 percent of all architects in America. Black women architects? Just 0.2 percent. That’s two-tenths of one percent. Gabrielle wasn’t just rare—she was nearly nonexistent in the profession’s demographics.
In 2013, Perkins+Will offered Gabrielle an opportunity. She could transition out of managing director and focus on whatever she wanted firm-wide. She thought carefully and presented a new diversity initiative. The firm created the Director of Global Diversity position specifically for her—one of the only such roles at any large architecture firm.
She now oversees the Justice, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity (JEDI) program at Perkins+Will. The program works to create a culture that embraces diverse people, thoughts, and ideas. Gabrielle splits her time between this work and practicing architecture, combining both passions in ways few people can.
Her work extends beyond Perkins+Will. She served as president of the International Interior Design Association from 2018 to 2019. She’s a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects. She’s served on boards for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, the Center for Architecture and Urban Design Los Angeles, USC Architecture Guild, and RISD. She designed Camp Lakota for the Girl Scouts in Frazier Park as pro bono work.
Personal Life
Gabrielle married actor Rocky Carroll over two decades ago. Carroll is best known for playing Director Leon Vance on “NCIS,” a role he’s held since 2008. The show’s success made him a household name, but Gabrielle jokes about the attention imbalance. “Google me, and you get Rocky Carroll,” she told the LA Times.
The couple has a daughter, Elissa, who’s now in her twenties. Gabrielle has been vocal about proving that successful careers and family life aren’t mutually exclusive. She finds pride and joy in being both a wife and mother while leading major architectural projects and traveling the world for speaking engagements.
The family splits time between Los Angeles and their weekend house in Palm Springs. When she’s not designing buildings or giving keynote speeches, Gabrielle loves to travel. She values the quiet moments with her family, which provide balance to her demanding professional life.
Carroll once joked that while his character wields significant power on “NCIS,” Director Vance “doesn’t wield as much power” with his wife at home. The comment reveals the mutual respect in their relationship. They’ve both built impressive careers while maintaining a strong marriage and raising their daughter.
Gabrielle isn’t interested in Hollywood attention. She’s focused on making real change in the design industry. While Carroll signs autographs, she’s mentoring the next generation of architects and pushing for equity in a profession that desperately needs it.
Awards and Recognition
In 2014, Gabrielle’s peers elected her as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. This honor recognizes architects who’ve made significant contributions to the profession. Becoming a Fellow meant joining an elite group—less than 3 percent of all AIA members achieve this designation.
The biggest recognition came in 2020 when she received the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award from the AIA. This award specifically honors architects committed to social justice and diversity in the profession. It’s named after the civil rights leader who challenged architects in 1968 to address social responsibility. Gabrielle’s entire career embodied the values this award celebrates.
She delivered the 2019 commencement address at USC’s School of Architecture. Speaking to graduates, she shared lessons from her journey and encouraged them to find firms where they see people who look like them. She regularly speaks at architecture and design schools across Southern California, including California Baptist University in Riverside and Otis College of Art and Design.
Gabrielle has participated in panels and symposia around the world. She’s sought after for her expertise in social equity in architecture, covering issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and physical and mental ability. Her voice carries weight because she’s lived the experiences she discusses.
She served on the AIA’s Equity in Architecture Commission, working to transform the profession from within. Every speaking engagement, every mentorship session, every board position represents another opportunity to open doors for people who come after her.
Looking Forward
Gabrielle Bullock’s impact on architecture extends far beyond the buildings she’s designed. She’s changed who gets to practice architecture and how the profession thinks about its social responsibility. When asked if she’s changed the world yet, she responds honestly: “Some of the numbers have improved, but it’s a journey.”
She wishes someone had been doing her job when she started out. She wishes there had been more conversations about transforming the profession itself, not just the buildings it produces. “Our profession just seemed like this little cocoon, like some mad scientist designed it, and designed it to stay just as it was,” she reflected. She’s spent decades disrupting that cocoon.
At 60, Gabrielle shows no signs of slowing down. She continues designing, mentoring, and pushing for change. The Destination Crenshaw project demonstrates her ongoing commitment to community-centered architecture. Her work at Perkins+Will proves that large firms can prioritize diversity and justice.
The 444 Black female architects in America today have 443 more role models than Gabrielle had when she graduated from RISD. She’s working to make sure that number grows exponentially. Every young architect who sees themselves in her story represents progress.
Gabrielle Bullock’s biography isn’t finished. She’s still writing new chapters, still opening doors, still proving that architecture at its best serves everyone—not just those who can afford premium design. Her legacy will be measured in buildings that bring light to patients, in parks that celebrate Black culture, and in the diverse architects who follow the path she cleared.
For more inspiring stories like Gabrielle Bullock’s journey of breaking barriers and transforming architecture through passion, determination, and commitment to social justice, visit us at EarlyMagazine, where we explore the lives of trailblazers and professionals who prioritize meaningful impact, diversity, and creating spaces that serve all communities with dignity and purpose.
