Bilwa Gulavani
Designer I

Bilwa’s design journey began in India, influenced by its rich architectural heritage and the dynamic relationship between people, culture, climate and the built environment. Her interest in the history of civilizations and early settlements sparked a passion for blending the built and natural worlds. This led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in architecture, where she became fascinated by the landscapes framing architectural forms, exploring the connection between interior spaces and their surroundings.

Seeking greater creative freedom and a deeper connection to nature and landscape design, Bilwa earned a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University. There, she explored how even the smallest elements of a landscape contribute to a cohesive, dynamic system, learning that the landscape itself binds all components into a unified whole.

As a teaching and research associate, Bilwa contributed to collaborative projects and academic research. Through her fellowships with the Midwest Landscape Lab and the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), she deepened her commitment to designing spaces that foster meaningful connections to place and lasting enjoyment for their inhabitants.

Drawn to cities built around rivers, Bilwa calls Chicago home. She finds inspiration sketching along the river and plans to develop a comparative study of river cities—a project that merges her interests in urban design and spatial exploration.