Ayelet Gezow (B.P.S. ’98)

Ayelet Gezow graduated from the University at Buffalo in 1998 and went on to earn her Master's degree from Columbia University. Entering the job market shortly before 9/11 posed significant challenges, but Ayelet persevered, working in numerous small offices.

Ayelet was born and raised on a kibbutz in Israel in a family of three archaeologists. Though she had a deep appreciation for archaeology, Ayelet chose to pursue architecture, captivated by its blend of art, history, and humanity. She believes architecture has the potential to leave clues for future generations, much like archaeology does today.

In 2006, Ayelet joined Pei, Cobb, Freed & Partners, where she discovered her professional home. She appreciated the firm's thoughtfulness, rigor, and minimalist aesthetic. Through a colleague, Ayelet developed a specialization in facades, a niche she has passionately pursued for the past 15 years.

Four years ago, Ayelet transitioned to Ennead, where she mentors and educates younger staff on facade design. She guides them in understanding building envelopes, making design decisions, and preparing comprehensive documentation from Design Development (DD) to Construction Documents (CD) and Construction Administration (CA). Ayelet values working on all phases of projects, witnessing ideas transform into reality, and continually learning from the process. Her goal is to make contractors respect and revere architects—she's still working on that one, so stay tuned.

Outside of her professional life, Ayelet enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time outdoors. She also has a passion for art, music, and cooking healthy meals. Ayelet is always eager to share her knowledge of facade detailing, hiking trails, and vegetarian recipes.