Susan Nwankpa Gillespie studied political science at Columbia University, and during her senior year was an intern at Morgan Stanley. Set on a profession in the corporate world, Gillespie eventually decided to pursue a different path. She credits the university curriculum with laying the foundation. “Courses on the history and structure of cities made me realize I wanted to have a more physical impact in shaping the world and environment,” she says.
Gillespie earned a graduate degree in architecture from UCLA, and is now based in Los Angeles. She founded her eponymous firm in 2016, with an emphasis on elegant yet livable spaces that enrich clients’ lives.
Photo: Kathy Khoo Hill
Born to a Nigerian father, and a mother with French-Canadian roots, Gillespie’s eclectic background informs her layered approach to design. She deftly blends functional details with ideas that delight. She takes inspiration from multicultural influences paired with modern building technology to create unique residences and hospitality spaces.
Gillespie usually makes a quick sketch to capture the first hints of a plan, or she’ll grab her phone. Even though this mobile device has hundreds of tabs open, she views them all as an extension of her brain to hold research or concepts for later use.
Even when the process gets hectic, Gillespie still delights in every stage of the process, especially when she can step back and appreciate the result. “That moment when it all comes together toward the end of a project is the most satisfying, when you know all of the hard work is worth it,” she notes.
Today, Kameh joins us for Friday Five!
Photo: Livinus Nwankpa Sr.
1 . Nigeria 1976
After my father passed away, I found this amazing collection of photos from his youth in Nigeria before he emigrated to America. The fashion, culture, style, and swagger cross-referenced with the spirit of the time captivated me. I ended up doing a large collage print of my home with many of these photos. My father is on the right in the group of stylish young men.
Photo: Livinus Nwankpa Sr.
2. Nigeria 1976 Woman on a Motorcycle
This second photo is of an unknown woman who seems to be a friend of my father’s. She’s riding a motorcycle in a skirt made from traditional West African textile fabric. Her gaze, style, and attitude are everything.
Photo: Livinus Nwankpa Sr.
3. Nigeria 1980s
This is a picture of my father proudly standing at the recently set foundation of his home that he spent our childhood building in his ancestral village in Nigeria. For me it’s a reminder of what a sense of possibility and hard work can do. Aesthetically I’ve always been inspired by the vivid color palettes of the landscape of lush, green tropical trees, and the red clay soils.
Photo: Susan Nwankpa Gillespie
4. Modern textile art By Ghanaian fiber artist Studio Amponsah
This piece is called In Search of Greener Pastures. It conveys the journey of the one who leaves everything they know – hope, longing, excitement, trepidation, and an explosion of perfectly executed texture and color. The word “Jakpa/Japa” is shown on the bus and originates from a Yoruba word meaning to run away, flee, or escape, but in modern Nigerian slang, it specifically refers to the trend of young people moving abroad for better opportunities.
Photo: Susan Nwankpa Gillespie
5. Pyramids of the Sun and Moon at Teotihuacan
As my family has expanded, we recently visited the pyramids of Teotihuacan outside of Mexico City. The massive scale of this site which predates the Aztecs, includes beautifully intricate and monumental carvings as well as paintings. On the whole it is awe inspiring to see how cultural acts can withstand centuries and become the foundation for many design traditions. My daughter has Mexican and Irish heritage from my husband’s side and I think about what a privilege it is to experience so many cultures intimately.
Works by Gillespie:
Photo: Bruce Damonte
Textile House 2
Textile House #2 is my personal home, balancing a minimalist aesthetic with a love of texture and drama, incorporating bold patterns from West African textiles and fashion, into timeless architecture.
Photo: Here & Now Agency
Textile House
Textile House #1 blends the rich heritage of West African textiles with Western architectural principles. Inspired by Ewe/Kente weaving, part of the facade’s design echoes a cloth’s warp and weft structure. Vertical cedar slats with occasional horizontal connections give the façade a syncopated rhythm while obscuring the deliberate lack of openings on the second floor.
Photo: Brandon Shigeta
Hollywood Hills Midcentury
This 1958 Hollywood Hills home was reimagined for a screenwriter and art collector with a passion for entertaining. The 1,200-square-foot, two-story house was carefully updated to balance midcentury character with contemporary finishes and furnishings. A custom credenza was created with Zellige tile in bright yellow and earth tones, referencing the exuberance and elegance of West African fashion, weaving together history, playfulness, and modern comfort.
Photo: Brandon Shigeta
Silverlake Treehouse
The design approach to this home preserves the character of the original structure, a bungalow with an unusual symmetrical roof that looks like two intersecting A-Frames, while introducing new spatial opportunities and modern livability. Elevated above the street and buffered by mature trees, the existing home siting evoked the feeling of a treehouse, particularly when the oak tree directly in front is fully green. This character inspired the new horizontal landscape windows along the front facade, framing curated views of the surrounding green foliage and enhancing the primary living spaces’ connection to the outdoor environment.
Photo: Here & Now Agency
5 Relativity Space Headquarters
Relativity Spaces makes 3D printed rockets. To reflect their level of excellence and vision, we transformed an office park warehouse into their new headquarters. Guided by Relativity’s mission, the immersive design embodies the company’s core values: wonder, audacity, relentlessness, and humanity.
