Architecture Beyond
I am Brandon Aaron Gibbs, AIA, NOMA—a licensed architect, researcher, educator, media producer, and advocate working across architecture, technology, and public engagement.
My story begins with my parents, who met while attending Howard University. My mother came from Mississippi, and my father came from the U.S. Virgin Islands. They raised me in Memphis, Tennessee, where I developed an early love for music, creativity, architecture, and design.
As a youth member of several orchestras including the Memphis Youth Symphony, I traveled nationally and internationally and experienced cities, cultures, and remarkable spaces beyond my hometown. Those experiences showed me how buildings and public places can express identity, history, and possibility. They helped inspire my decision to pursue architecture.
I studied architecture at Pratt Institute as a recipient of the Pratt Institute Presidential Scholarship. I later earned my Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory in London. Over more than 15 years, I have contributed to sports and entertainment venues, healthcare facilities, churches, community spaces, commercial developments, and residential projects across Tennessee, New York, the American South, and beyond.
My work has expanded into research, education, entrepreneurship, and media. Through MotionFORM, I explore design, sustainability, computational methods, and emerging technology. I also founded Iamthestudio to help architects and designers strengthen their creative and technical skills.
Selected accomplishments include:
- LICENSED ARCHITECT IN TENNESSEE
- CO-CHAIR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, NOMA NASHVILLE
- PRATT INSTITUTE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
- BISHOP G. E. PATTERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
- AUDIENCE AWARD RECIPIENT, QUICKFLICK LONDON
- WORK FEATURED BY PRATT INSTITUTE AND AIGA MOBILE
- PANEL SPEAKER WITH MUSIC CITY NSBE
- SPEAKER AT PODCAMP NASHVILLE AND BARCAMP NASHVILLE
- SHORTLISTED AS A PROSPECTIVE TEDX MOBILE SPEAKER
- ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING THROUGH THE NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER AND NASHVILLE BUSINESS INCUBATION CENTER
Through Architecture Beyond, I bring together professional experience, independent research, and storytelling to make architecture more accessible and relevant. As “The Architect in Your Corner,” I explore how design affects our communities, industries, opportunities, and everyday lives.
Architecture Beyond
Strengthening Community Through Equity, Architecture & Service With Dillon Dunn | AB Ep 36
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode of Architecture Beyond, host Brandon Gibbs sits down with Dillon Dunn, President of NOMA Nashville, for a timely and thoughtful conversation on leadership, representation, and the future of the architecture profession.
Dillon shares his personal journey into architecture, how his involvement with NOMA shaped his leadership path, and the work currently happening in Nashville to support emerging professionals and strengthen community impact. From national events like NOMA KC to reflections on the AIA Tennessee Conference, this conversation highlights why advocacy, mentorship, and intentional leadership matter now more than ever.
This episode is especially valuable for students, early-career architects, and professionals seeking clarity on how to grow their careers while contributing meaningfully to the profession and their communities.
Topics Covered in This Episode
- How Dillon got started in architecture and community leadership
- Key initiatives and progress within NOMA Nashville
- What national gatherings like NOMA KC offer to emerging professionals
- Reflections on AIA Tennessee and insights shared by past NOMA National President Pascale Sablan
- The changes needed in the architecture industry to support equity and access
- Advice and perspective for aspiring and future architects
Watch here:
https://www.iamthestudio.com/strongercommunities_through_architecture_with_dillon_dunn/
Why This Conversation Matters
Architecture is evolving—not just in how we design, but in who leads, who is represented, and how the profession serves communities. This episode goes beyond credentials and titles to explore the responsibility architects carry to shape a more inclusive and impactful future.
Learn more about the work of Dillon Dunn with NOMA Nash below: https://www.nomanash.com/
Check out our show sponsor CDP Architecture below:
https://www.cdparchitecture.com/
Architecture Beyond is where architects, designers, and creative thinkers share the stories shaping life and impact beyond the studio. Since launching, we’ve released dozens of inspiring episodes and grown into a global community of listeners who care about architecture’s role in the world.
We’d love to hear from you—what topics inspire you most, or who you’d like to see as a guest. If you’re interested in sharing your own story on the show, visit Iamthestudio.com and click ArchBeyond in the menu. Join the conversation and help us continue building a platform that elevates architects everywhere.
Sponsored by iamthestudio architecture software courses (site here).
People on this episode
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
