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
Letters to Ms. 1000 Begins - Christian Joosse On Architecture Writing and Purpose | Part 1 | AB EP 41
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Architecture is not only shaped by buildings. It is shaped by memory, mentorship, authorship, and the voices that help define who belongs in the profession.
In this episode of Architecture Beyond, Brandon Gibbs sits down with architect, academic, and writer Christian Joosse for Part I of a two-part conversation centered on her path into architecture and the deeper foundations behind Letters to Ms. 1000. Christian is the editor, co-author, and curator behind Letters to Ms. 1000: Words of Wisdom from African American Women Architects, Vol. 1, a book created to share encouragement and mentorship through the lived experiences of Black women architects.
This first conversation begins before the book. We talk about Christian’s background in architecture, the role writing has played in her life since childhood, and how design, research, and storytelling began to intersect in her work. As an architect at Moody Nolan and an educator working across multiple disciplines, her perspective offers a powerful reminder that architecture can reach far beyond traditional practice.
Essentials In Part I
This episode is for architects, students, emerging professionals, mentors, and anyone interested in how personal voice and professional impact come together.In
Part I, you’ll hear:
- how Christian’s architectural journey took shape
- why writing became an important parallel to design
- what it means to build a career that includes practice, teaching, and advocacy
Why come back for Part II
Part II is where the larger message comes fully into focus.
In the next episode, we go deeper into Letters to Ms. 1000 itself: the purpose behind the title, the journey of gathering and curating voices, the significance of self-publishing, and why mentorship and representation remain essential to the future of architecture. The book is described as a collection of wisdom from African American women architects intended to mentor and encourage the next generation, and Part II explores that mission more directly.
If Part I gives you the origin, Part II delivers the full impact.
Learn more about Letters to Ms. 1000
You can explore the book and learn more through the official Letters to Ms. 1000 site here: https://empowering1000.wixsite.com/letters-to-ms--1000
You can also follow the project on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/letterstoms.1000/
This episode is supported by CDP Architecture.
Thank you to CDP Architecture for supporting thoughtful conversations around design, community, leadership, and the future of the profession.
https://www.cdparchitecture.com/
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If this conversation resonates with you, continue with these Architecture Beyond episodes on impact, leadership, and service:
Affordable Housing with Kelsey Oesmann
A conversation on housing, dignity, and the long-term impact architects can have on communities through thoughtful development and design.
NOMA Leadership with Dillon Dunn
A powerful episode on equity, leadership, service, and what it means to strengthen community through architecture.
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).
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