Garrett Akol

Project Manager

Garrett grew up in Orinda, California, in the East Bay Area and earned his degree from CU Boulder. During his studies, he participated in a Native American sustainable housing initiative, where he learned about passive-house architecture and sustainable building practices while helping develop low-cost, energy-efficient housing prototypes for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Garrett joined B&G in June 2025 and is currently pursuing architectural licensure. He is drawn to architecture because it sits at the intersection of art, utility, and problem-solving, creating opportunities to positively impact how people live and interact with the built environment.

Outside the office, Garrett enjoys spending as much time as possible in the mountains. Whether it’s backcountry snowboarding, climbing, mountaineering, trail running, or rafting, he’s always looking for his next adventure—especially if his dogs can come along. He is also an avid gardener and is currently building a camper from the ground up.

One of Garrett’s favorite buildings is the Hagia Sophia, which he admires for its remarkable blend of history, engineering, and design. Given the chance to meet any architect, he would choose Andrew Freear for his commitment to community-focused design and innovative problem-solving.

Garrett is proud to be pursuing a career as a third-generation architect. His grandfather designed schools, libraries, and other institutional projects after immigrating from Turkey, while his father specialized in healthcare architecture—continuing a family tradition that has shaped Garrett’s own passion for the profession.