Bobby Poole began his work as an architect in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1971 with Sert, Jackson Associates. He was an architectural designer and worked on Parcels 2, 3, 9, 10, and 11 of the New York Housing Authority project for Roosevelt Island. He played a key role in the Construction Administration phase of the work.
From 1973 to 1976 he worked at Stone and Webster Engineering in Boston, focused on the design of a reference pressurized nuclear power station for various sites across the U.S.
In 1976 he joined Cambridge Seven Associates, and began with key project architect roles in the MBTA's Forest Hills transit station, and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. His wide ranging interest in architecture and the technology of building led him to play key roles on diverse project types, in 1983 he became an Associate, and in 1985 a Principal. Mr. Poole has shared Peter Chermayeff's interest in aquariums, and since 1976 he has become increasingly specialized in aquarium architecture and exhibit content. Following up on his work as project architect for Baltimore he played key design and technical development roles for the aquariums of Osaka and Chattanooga. He led teams for project design, document production, and construction administration for the aquariums of Genoa and Lisbon. He developed new client relationships and led the design process for the Long Island Aquarium, the Alaska Sea Life Center, and the National Marine Life Center in Bourne, Massachusetts.
In 1998 he and Peter Chermayeff and Peter Sollogub formed CSP, which became in 2005 C&P. Poole has been principal in charge of the expansion of the Tennessee and Baltimore Aquariums, which opened in 2005. He has played major roles in the development of new projects such as the expansion of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum, the proposed Iowa Environment Project, marine science lab buildings for the University of Miami, and the Singapore Aquarium.
Starting in October 2009 he continues his collaboration with Peter Chermayeff at Peter Chermayeff LLC. He has been a board member of IDEA, the aquarium management company affiliated with C&P, since IDEA was founded in 1990. He has been a design instructor at the university of Illinois, and the Boston Architectural Center, and thesis advisor for students at MIT. His education included a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Master of Architecture degree in 1971 from the University of Illinois. After more than three decades of his professional work he continues a dedicated pursuit of innovation and excellence in the specialized realm of architecture and planning to contribute to social change, environmental education, and urban development.