Deborah Berke, FAIA, LEED AP
“Be prepared to work hard, but also to create a rich life for yourself outside of architecture.”
#WomenWhoBuild, Meet Deborah Berke FAIA, LEED AP.
With a project portfolio including 40 East End Avenue, 48 Bond Street, the Marianne Boesky Gallery building, the Yale School of Art, and residential units at 432 Park Avenue (just to name a few) Deborah Berke has made her mark on the architecture world. On top of running Deborah Berke Partners, Deborah is also the vice president and founder of DesignNYC, the vice president of the AIA New York Chapter, a jury member of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, a board member of the James Howell Foundation, an advisor to the Norman Foster foundation, and the FIRST woman dean of the Yale School of Architecture. Talk about paving the way for women in the field!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in architecture. What was your first introduction to the field?
I grew up in Queens in a neighborhood with a lot of modest but well-composed buildings that to me were architecture. I was intrigued by them all - from my earliest teenage years. I knew then I wanted to be an architect. I was also fascinated by the vernacular buildings and industrial structures of the northeast – from the New Jersey Turnpike to the small towns and mill cities of New England, which I mostly experienced through the window of my parents’ car on family trips. I loved them all.
How would you describe your architectural style? How do you approach each project?
I hate talking about style.
What has been your biggest challenge in your career?
Keeping life in some semblance of balance—designing, practicing, teaching, family, marriage, motherhood, friends. And staying connected to the things I love beyond architecture—theater, art, reading, music, community. It’s good to be culturally literate, and I think it even makes you a better architect, although that’s not the reason to make time for it.
What does your usual day look like?
It starts too early and it ends too late, but, fortunately, I enjoy most of what happens in between.
Tell us a little bit about your journey in starting your own firm? What gave you the push to pursue your own venture?
I wanted to be my own boss, which was a bit unusual for a woman in the field at that time. I did a lot of small projects for friends, mostly artists. I always taught, which provided a small but steady income. Architecture has been a long game for me, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
What is one piece of advice you have for women entering the field?
Be prepared to work hard, but also to create a rich life for yourself outside of architecture. As I said before, you’ll be a better architect.