The latest episode of Tête-à-Tête features an interview by graduate student Lindsey Chambers with architects Anzilla Gilmore, Justin Taplet, and Micki Washington. Anzilla Gilmore is the current assistant director for project management and engineering at Rice University, Justin Taplet is an associate at Gensler Houston, and Micki Washington is the regional leader of WorkPlace at HOK. All are currently serving as officers for Houston’s chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. NOMA’s mission is to build a strong organization for the purpose of minimizing the effects of racism in the design profession. We’re excited to share a conversation with Anzilla, Justin, and Micki about mentorship, the work of NOMA, and making the design profession more equitable.
Anzilla Gilmore, FAIA, NOMAC; current assistant director for project management and engineering, Rice University. Blurb: Anzilla Gilmore's passion for architecture manifests itself through service. When she graduated from Prairie View A&M University in the late 90’s, she entered a profession where very few people looked like her. She felt the lack of representation acutely and decided to take action to ensure that no black female that came after her would want for lack of representation. Gilmore has dedicated herself to professional mentorship, community outreach and professional service through leadership in professional organizations for over 15 years. She is a founder and the current treasurer of the Houston chapter of NOMA, sits on the National NOMA finance committee and is the founder and current advisor to the Architects Foundation Diversity Advancement Scholars Mentorship Program. Gilmore was the 2019 chair of the AIA’s National Ethics Council and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in February 2019. In her community, Gilmore serves as the Vice President of the board of Municipal Utility District 23 in Fort Bend County and is a Lifetime member of the PVAMU National Alumni Association. Gilmore received a Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington. She became only the fifth female registered architect in the state of Texas and the first in the city of Houston in 2004. She worked in traditional architectural practice in Waco and Houston before transitioning to project management. Gilmore has worked as an owner’s representative in Higher Education for 16 years; first at the University of Houston and currently at Rice University where she is the Assistant Director for Project Management and Engineering.
Justin Taplet, NOMA, AIA, NCARB; A current architect, associate at Gensler Houston. He is the current president of Houston’s NOMA chapter. Justin received a BArch in Architecture from the University of Houston. Justin is an architect with projects ranging from faith based campus master planning to retail and office shell buildings. His eclectic interests and love for learning keep him engaged in a continual mode of discovery and skill building. Portrait photography is a current interest of his, which allows him to work with people and serves as a creative outlet all at once. Spending 4 years as a public high school teacher, Justin brought his passion for mentoring the next generation to the architecture and design industry by way the National Organization of Minority Architects in which he currently serves as the '21-'22 President of the Houston Chapter. Justin also invests in the next generation of architects with his service on the University of Houston College of Architecture Alumni Association board in which he serves as Vice Chair of the Governance Committee. Beyond project work Justin enjoys co-leading the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts within the Gensler Houston office which is producing cultural shifts and creating greater opportunities for minority architects. Justin's strong sense of responsibility has established his reputation as dependable and personable making him highly sought after for project teams.
Micki Washington, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, IIDA, RID, NCIDQ; is the current vice president of Houston NOMA, and regional leader of WorkPlace at HOK. Micki has nearly two decades of experience managing workplace design teams for large corporate clients. She also brings expertise in managing and leading healthcare, hospitality and civic projects. As regional leader of HOK’s WorkPlace practice in Houston, Micki collaborates with corporate clients to streamline communications between client decision makers and HOK’s design teams. Micki serves in a variety of industry leadership roles, including with the Houston Chapter of the International Facility Management Association and the American Institute of Architects’ interior architecture committee. She is the Vice President of the Houston chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA).
The interview was conducted by Lindsey Chambers and produced by the Rice Tête-à-Tête team.
