Gay Lorberbaum

After graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture from Washington University in her native St. Louis, Gay Lorberbaum worked for the London Borough of Lambeth and the renowned Finnish architect Reima Pietil ä. Upon her return to St. Louis, she taught and practiced as an architect, and trained in psychology and body theory. Her commitment to both Architecture and Psychology are manifestations of the same fundamental interest: people.

For Gay, teaching is a way to serve her community and learn. In over 35 years at Washington University, she has led studios within the College of Architecture and initiated interdisciplinary courses linking architecture, engineering, and environmental studies. In a parallel practice, she has acted as a human development teacher in psychology. Since 2002, she has procured numerous grants allowing her to hold architecture-related 2-D and 3-D problem-solving workshops about lateral thinking for youth attending public schools in St. Louis. Key programs she has been involved with include the creation of the New School in 2003, a group workshop that combines psychotherapy with creative process; creation of the WashU service-learning course Rediscovering the Child; long-time leadership of the Alberti Program – Architecture for Young People; and co-founding Building Futures in 2012. She received the 2009 Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award from Washington University.