Episode Description

Gabriel Ignacio Dziekiewicz is the president and principal in charge of design at DesignBridge, an award-winning Chicago-based architecture firm with a nearly 40-year history. Gabriel is a licensed architect in Illinois, Michigan, and Florida and a LEED AP BD+C. Since joining DesignBridge in early 2007, he has led the design direction and collaborated on numerous architectural and interior design projects, including mixed-use and residential developments, affordable housing, academic buildings, hotel and hospitality design, high-end residential interiors, and restaurant and entertainment concepts.

Gabriel’s story begins with his grandparents and parents —a love that crossed languages and cultures, ultimately shaping his own path in design. Raised in an environment surrounded by architecture, Gabriel watched his father, Victor Ignacio Dziekiewicz, build the foundation of his firm, DesignBridge. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Miami University in Ohio and completing his Master of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Gabriel gained experience working in several Chicago offices before joining DesignBridge in 2007.

When the recession hit soon after Gabriel joined DesignBridge, the firm faced an uncertain future. Many architecture practices struggled to stay afloat, but Gabriel saw it as a moment of reinvention. He explored new ways for the firm to stay relevant, earning his realtor’s license to better understand the development side of projects. The slowdown opened space for the team to rethink their priorities and broaden their portfolio beyond commercial and high-end residential work. Gabriel encouraged the firm to pursue public competitions and lean into civic, school, and affordable housing projects that offered both creative opportunity and community impact. At the same time, he embraced emerging technologies, transitioning from hand drawing to early digital technology. His forward-thinking leadership helped the firm not only weather the downturn but also emerge with a clearer mission, a stronger identity, and a practice rooted in resilience and innovation.

“I personally feel extremely connected to him because I feel like he is inside of me in everything that I do.”

In late 2013, Gabriel’s father became ill with cancer. During this difficult time, Gabriel took on more responsibility in the firm as his family navigated uncertainty together. When his father passed away in 2015, Gabriel stepped into full leadership of DesignBridge, leaning on the support of his team and the firm’s long-standing relationships with clients. He reflects on what it means to carry his father’s legacy forward in the work: “I personally feel extremely connected to him because I feel like he is inside of me in everything that I do.”

Gabriel also shares how his role extends beyond the firm into the wider city. In 2015, he was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, where he also sits on the Permit Review Committee. His expertise and passion for historic preservation make him a key voice in balancing the protection of Chicago’s architectural heritage with the reality of new development. He is also a board member of HACIA—the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association—continuing a connection his father once had with the organization and staying active in advocacy and community-building within the industry.

“You have to be true to yourself; if you believe you want to do architecture, figure out what work you want to do.”

Throughout the episode, Gabriel talks about staying open to new experiences, the responsibility of preserving history while designing for the future, and the importance of community and mentorship. His advice to emerging designers is clear and grounded: “You have to be true to yourself; if you believe you want to do architecture, figure out what work you want to do.”