Julie Chou, AIA

Julie brings a deep commitment to community-building and community service to her professional work. Her experience spans from affordable, supportive and transitional housing projects to community facilities, interiors and exterior spaces that foster connections and empower individuals. Through research, fellowships, and advocacy, Julie explores innovative strategies to create more equitable, inclusive, and resilient communities. She has served on Manhattan Community Board Five in Midtown for the past nine years, where she is Vice-Chair of the Land Use, Zoning, and Housing Committee and a member of the Budget, Education, and City Services Committee. Julie has become a leader in the movement for public bathroom access in New York City, leading a working group with members from several community boards across the city.

The Cooper Union, Bachelor of Architecture

The University of Chicago, Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Registered Architect, State of New York

Manhattan Community Board 5, Vice-Chair of Land Use, Housing and Zoning Committee

Episode 2: Julie Chou and the History and Current Politics of NYC Bathrooms, The Impact Lab: An NYU Public Service Podcast, July 2026

Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering & Construction 2026, Crain’s New York Business, June 2026

From Mission to Mechanism: A Whole Systems Approach to Sustainable Housing, Urban Design Forum, March 2025

Citywide Bathroom Strategy, Urban Design Forum Forefront Residency, September 18, 2024

Fellows Spotlight: Julie Chou, Urban Design Forum, August 20, 2023

Revitalizing New York City’s Public Bathroom System: a Vision for the Future, Architecture League and NYSCA Architecture + Design Independent Projects Grant, 2023