About — Bureau Gemmell

Bureau Gemmell is a mission-based architecture and design practice. Projects are defined not by market sector but rather by their impact on communities at the micro and macro scale.

At a time when specificity seems paramount, founder Lynsey Sorrell is expressly a generalist. With nearly two decades of experience in the public and private sector, she has engaged in a range of project types, including master planning, feasibility studies, renovation, adaptive reuse, and new construction. While working in not-for-profit, academic, governmental, and commercial sectors, her projects have ranged from $5K painting and branding exercises to $50M life science buildings. It is variety that Lynsey values most, and she feels that her broad experience benefits her clients.

The Bureau was formed to leverage the numerous professional contacts Lynsey has accumulated over the years and to ensure that the best possible team of experts is brought to bear to serve clients—a team not just based on the makeup of a single office.

Lynsey Sorrell

Lynsey is highly organized and personable, traits that enable her to communicate well with clients and stakeholders throughout the design process. Architecture speaks to her need to problem-solve, her love of conceptual thinking, and her desire to dive into the details. A passionate advocate for true sustainability, she seeks the highest value for projects when considered over the long term and through a pragmatic lens. She enjoys working with clients whose vision extends into the future.

Lynsey came to architecture after studying Psychology and the History of Art at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she received a first-class honours degree. She loves the challenge of solving design challenges at the large and small scale.  Working collaboratively with clients from inception to completion, balancing different project drivers, and seeking the most logical and beautiful solutions is where she derives gratification.  Architecture satisfies her need to think broadly and deeply about the environment.

Lynsey moved to Chicago from Scotland for graduate school at the Illinois Institute of Technology and has enjoyed giving back to the college as an Adjunct Professor in the undergraduate and graduate programs from 2010–2013. She returns to IIT for juries and critiques as often as she can.

She is the Immediate Past President of the Chicago Region Chapter of Lambda Alpha International.  While president, her focus was centered on elevating issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and bringing value and relevance to the chapter members. She sits on the board of the Chicago Scots and the Illinois Saint Andrews Society, Illinois’ oldest registered charity.  A recovering triathlete, she is looking to find her next sporting passion.  She and her family live in Chicago.