As part of our “Women in Architecture” series, Beatrice Galilee emerges as an influential voice shaping the future of design through curation, research, and dialogue. While not a practicing architect, Galilee’s impact resonates across the architectural world. From founding her own nonprofit to serving as a leading voice in prominent global events, her multifaceted career bridges academia, public engagement, and the cultural advancement of design. At Optima®, we celebrate creative leaders like Galilee who embody our commitment to forward-thinking solutions and community-driven innovation in the built environment.
A Catalyst for Global Design
Galilee is the founder and executive director of The World Around, a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying impactful global design and architecture. The World Around hosts summits, lectures, and events that highlight visionary projects and practitioners worldwide. Through these platforms, Galilee nurtures a broad network of architects, designers, and thinkers, fostering open exchange and collaboration, building upon her belief that modern, high-quality design can positively shape communities—both locally and globally.
Author, Professor, and Curator
In 2021, Galilee published Radical Architecture of the Future with Phaidon, a book that underscores her editorial prowess and comprehensive understanding of contemporary design. This publication features conversations on groundbreaking projects, mirroring her wide-ranging involvement in curating and championing new ideas.
Between 2014 and 2019, Galilee served as the first curator of contemporary architecture and design at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York. In that role, she introduced groundbreaking exhibitions and programs focusing on the intersection of design, culture, and technology—areas central to architectural innovation today. Her time at The Met stands as a testament to how thoughtful curatorial leadership can broaden the public’s understanding and appreciation of architecture’s place in art history.
Galilee is also a visiting professor at Pratt Institute, where she lectures on curating. Her academic role further underscores her dedication to guiding the next generation of design leaders. By intersecting real-world curatorial experience with academic instruction, she encourages students to consider how cultural, social, and environmental factors influence architecture and design—an approach that resonates with Optima®’s commitment to weaving sustainability and community focus into every project.
A Global Journey in Curatorial Innovation
Galilee’s global reach includes serving as chief curator of the 2013 Lisbon Architecture Triennale, co-curator of the 2011 Gwangju Design Biennale, and co-curator of the 2009 Shenzhen Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism. In each setting, she drew upon her deep knowledge of local contexts and broader international dialogues, creating exhibitions that engaged communities, challenged conventions, and stimulated interdisciplinary thought.
She also co-directed The Gopher Hole, an experimental exhibition and project space in London from 2010 to 2012. This endeavor showcased her willingness to explore unconventional formats and champion new voices. The result was a vibrant, cutting-edge space that opened dialogues on urban culture, social issues, and architectural concepts—reinforcing her belief that design is a dynamic process that thrives on public engagement.
Consulting and Influence
Through her experiences in global design, publishing, communications, and brand-building, Galilee also provides cultural and architectural advisory support to architects, designers, developers, and institutions. By partnering with diverse stakeholders, she ensures that the cultural dimension of architecture remains front and center, influencing the way the built environment evolves.
Inspiring Future Architects and Innovators
Beatrice Galilee’s career exemplifies the influence that curation, research, and public programming can have on the architectural field. Her work reminds us that architecture is not merely about construction; it’s about ideas, culture, and dialogue. Galilee’s global perspective and collaborative ethos echo Optima®’s own mission of creating exceptional design experiences that resonate with communities at every level.
As we celebrate women who are reshaping architecture and design, Galilee’s leadership stands as an inspirational example. She bridges disparate worlds—academic, curatorial, corporate—to foster an inclusive vision for the future of architecture. In doing so, she offers a blueprint for how thoughtful advocacy, innovation, and cultural engagement can drive lasting, positive change in the spaces where we live, work, and connect.
