Gensler

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This article is about Gensler, known more formally as M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. For other uses, see Gensler (disambiguation).

Gensler
Company typePrivate
IndustryArchitecture
Founded1965; 59 years ago (1965)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Founders
  • M. Arthur Gensler Jr.
  • Drue Gensler
  • James Follett
Number of locations
53 offices[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Services
[2]
RevenueUS$1.84 billion (2023)[1]
Number of employees
5,500+ (2021)[1]
Websitewww.gensler.com

Gensler is a global design and architecture firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. It is the largest architecture firm in the world by revenue and number of architects.[3]

In 2022, Gensler generated $1.785 billion in revenue, the most of any architecture firm in the U.S.[4] As of late 2023, Gensler operated offices in 53 cities in 17 countries worldwide,[5] working for clients in over 100 countries.[6]

History[edit]

Art Gensler founded the firm in 1965, along with his wife Drue Gensler and their associate James Follett.[7] They originally focused on corporate interiors,[8] for newly constructed office buildings including the Alcoa Building (1967) and the Bank of America Building (1969), both in San Francisco.[9] The firm has since diversified into numerous forms of architecture and design, including commercial office buildings, retail centers, airports, education facilities, entertainment complexes, planning and urban design, mission-critical facilities, consulting, brand design, and other areas.[10]

Gensler grew rapidly with offices opening around the U.S. in the 1970s and 1980s and then overseas in the 1980s and 1990s.[9] In 1972, the firm established an office in Houston to provide interior design services for Pennzoil Company's 600,000-sq-ft corporate headquarters.[11] In 1979, the firm opened its New York office to provide interior design and production services for Mobil Oil Corporation's corporate headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. In 1988, the firm launched its first overseas office in London, followed by new offices in Tokyo and Hong Kong in 1993.[12] In 2002, Gensler opened an office in Shanghai, establishing a permanent presence in China. By the early 2000s, Gensler was the largest architecture and design company headquartered in the U.S.[9]

In 2005, Gensler's board of directors extended the firm's collaborative leadership structure by naming Andy Cohen, Diane Hoskins, and David Gensler as executive directors/Co-CEOs.[13] Cohen and Hoskins continue their tenure as Co-CEOs.[6] In 2015, the firm celebrated its 50th anniversary.[14] After nearly 20 years of leadership, Cohen and Hoskins transitioned from their roles as co-CEOs to become Gensler’s first Global co-Chairs in 2024; the firm named Julia Simet and Jordan Goldstein as the incoming co-CEOs.[15]

Influence and industry impact[edit]

As the firm's global footprint has grown, Gensler has launched megaprojects such as CityCenter (Gensler served as Executive Architect of the 67-acre, 18 million-square-foot “city within a city” in Las Vegas), SFO Airport (beginning with the Central Terminal project in 1980 and continuing with comprehensive T2, T3, and T1 renovations), and Shanghai Tower (a 128-story mixed-use tower).[16] In 2013, the 2,073-foot Shanghai Tower became China's tallest building, and the second-tallest in the world.[13]

In 2023 Gensler undertook the office-to-residential conversion of 160 Water Street in Manhattan's Financial District. The project is expected to yield 588 residential rental units and has been applauded by politicians such as Mayor Eric Adams as well as activists concerned with the city's lack of housing.[17][18]

Research[edit]

In 2005, Gensler debuted its first U.K. Workplace Survey,[19] followed by a U.S. Workplace Survey in 2006, and the formal establishment of the Gensler Research program in 2007. The firm launched subsequent U.S. & U.K. Workplace Surveys in 2008,[19] 2013,[20] and 2016.[21] Gensler's Workplace Surveys now encompass five continents, with surveys in Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Latin America, the Middle East, U.K., and the U.S.[22][23] In 2010, Gensler's research program secured a registered trademark for its Workplace Performance Index (WPI), a trademarked pre- and post-occupancy tool.[24] In 2017, Gensler celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Gensler Research Program (now the Gensler Research Institute) with the publication of Gensler's Research Catalogue, Volume 2.[25] In 2017, the firm launched the Gensler Experience Index, which quantifies the direct impact design has on experience,[26] followed by industry reports in the Education, Healthcare, Residential, Retail, and Hospitality sectors.[22][27] In 2020, the firm launched Gensler's City Pulse Survey,[28] surveying residents in four cities during lockdown due to COVID-19, followed by another City Pulse Survey in 2021,[22] surveying 10 cities to see how the pandemic has reshaped urban life.

Programs and initiatives[edit]

In 1990, Gensler established Gensler University, the firm's chief platform for leadership development.[24] Subsequently, the firm established the Diversity Scholarship, a juried program that recognizes emerging talent among African-American college students enrolled in an accredited architectural program, and the Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Fund, which was established in 1999 as a memorial to Donald G. Brinkmann, a gifted interior designer and former partner at Gensler.[16] In 2007, the firm established its gServe community impact program.[16] Gensler's Community Impact program encourages offices to dedicate at least 80 percent of their Community Impact resources to one or more of four themes: Housing and Homelessness, Health and Wellness, the Environment, and the Next Generation.[29]

In 2015, Gensler signed the Paris Pledge for Action at the COP21 conference, pledging to reduce carbon emissions to limit climate change to less than 2 degrees Celsius.[30] At the U.N. Climate Action Summit in 2019, Co-CEO Diane Hoskins announced the Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3),[31] which challenges the architecture and design industry to eliminate all greenhouse gases associated with the built environment. To further that pledge, Gensler is launching new green specifications that focus on reducing high-carbon materials.[32] Gensler's “Impact Through Design” report, launched in 2016, explores strategies for architecture and design to play a greater role in global climate change strategy and mitigation,[33] reinforcing this commitment to sustainability with the firm's subsequent “Impact by Design” reports in 2017,[33] 2018,[34] 2019, 2020,[35] and 2021.[22]

Recognition[edit]

Shanghai Tower, Shanghai

Gensler was awarded the Architecture Firm Award in 2000 by the American Institute of Architects.[36]

In 2009, Gensler became the first firm inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame.[12]

Gensler received the AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture for the HyundaiCard Air Lounge in 2012[37] and the Jackson Hole Airport in 2014.[38]

For the third year in a row, Forbes included Gensler among “America’s Best Midsize Employers” in 2018.[39]

Gensler received the highest ranking on Interior Design magazine's “Top 100 Giants” list.[40]

Gensler was included among Glassdoor's Best Places to Work 2020.[41]

The National Center for Employee Ownership named Gensler the 21st largest employee-owned company in the U.S. on the NCEO 2020 Employee Ownership 100.[42]

The AIA Committee on the Environment named three Gensler projects winners of the COTE Top Ten Awards, recognizing the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, UPCycle, and Etsy headquarters for integrating design excellence and sustainable performance.[43]

Gensler received the #1 rank overall in Building Design's 2021 World Architecture 100 Rankings.[44]

For a decade, Gensler has topped Architectural Record's annual list of the Top 300 Architecture Firms in the U.S.[45]

For the third year, Fast Company named Gensler among the “World’s Most Innovative Companies 2021” as one of the 10 Most Innovative Companies in Architecture.[46]

Fast Company ranked Gensler among the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021, recognizing the firm's new proprietary NFORM Ecosystem.[47]

Engineering News-Record ranked Gensler as the #1 Top Green Design Firm for six consecutive years, from 2016-2021.[48] The firm was second in the latest ranking in September of 2022.[49]

Notable projects[edit]

Houston Ballet Centre for Dance, Houston, Texas.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Gensler Fact Sheet 2023" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Gensler Services".
  3. ^ "WA100 2023: The big list". Building Design. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms of 2023 | Architectural Record". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Firm Profile". Gensler. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Gorman, Peter (November 8, 2018). "Gensler Co-CEOs Bring an Architect's Mindset to the Corner Office". Chief Executive. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  7. ^ Cassidy, Robert (January 3, 2012). "Art Gensler: Still Making a Difference for Clients Every Day". Building Design+Construction. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  8. ^ Ikenson, Ben (July 2013). "Gensler's Secret Sauce". Metropolis. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Arthur Gensler Oral History – Building a Global Architecture and Design Firm – (Regional Oral History Office; Oral History Center of The Bancroft Library)". bancroft.berkeley.edu. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  10. ^ "Gensler Services". gensler.com/about/services. December 4, 2018.
  11. ^ Henshaw, Barbara (September 1, 2011). "Design powerhouse has put its stamp on Houston's skyline". Downtown Houston. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Timeline: 50 Years of Gensler". Interior Design. December 3, 2015.
  13. ^ a b Bradley, Ryan (August 19, 2013). "Gensler's Power of Three". Fortune. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  14. ^ "Timeline: 50 Years of Gensler". Interior Design. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  15. ^ Klein, Kristine (October 4, 2023). "Gensler promotes Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins to global co-chairs". The Architect’s Newspaper. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "ARTHUR GENSLER AIACC LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE" (PDF). aiacc.org. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  17. ^ Relman, Eliza. "Architects are cutting big holes in the middle of skyscrapers and adding more floors to turn empty NYC offices into apartments". Business Insider. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  18. ^ "160 Water Street's Residential Conversion and Expansion Progresses in Financial District, Manhattan". New York YIMBY. July 4, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Jana, Reena (October 21, 2008). "Read It Here First: Gensler's 2008 Workplace Survey Links Office Satisfaction and Financial Performance". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  20. ^ Fairs, Marcus (July 31, 2017). "Bad workplace design means most employees are "struggling to work effectively"". Dezeen. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  21. ^ Caulfield, John (July 13, 2016). "Latest Gensler survey links innovation with workplace flexibility". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  22. ^ a b c d "Gensler Annual Report 2021". www.gensler.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Napier, Steve (May 29, 2017). "Gensler's Workplace Surveys". Cardigan Row. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  24. ^ a b Cassidy, Robert (January 3, 2012). "Gensler: 'The One Firm Firm'". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  25. ^ Barber, Christine (February 6, 2017). "Hidden Truths and How to Find Them". GenslerOn. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  26. ^ Budds, Diana (November 1, 2017). "Tech Is Transforming Our Spaces, And We're Just Beginning To See How". Fast Company. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  27. ^ McLaughlin, Robin (October 4, 2018). "Four Takeaways from Gensler's Hospitality Experience Index". Lodging Magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Cohen, Andy. "Council Post: Human-Centered City Design For A Post-Pandemic World". Forbes. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  29. ^ "2018 Annual Report". Gensler. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  30. ^ Hoskins, Diane (June 6, 2016). "Designing for the Year 2030". LinkedIn. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  31. ^ "Doubling down on our commitment to resilience | Building Design + Construction". www.bdcnetwork.com. October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  32. ^ Perspectives, Opinion by Diane Hoskins for CNN Business (September 27, 2021). "Opinion: When it comes to cutting carbon emissions, the real estate industry is running out of time". CNN. Retrieved October 5, 2021. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  33. ^ a b Hoskins, Diane (October 4, 2017). "The Solutions to Climate Change Are Already at Our Fingertips". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  34. ^ Caulfield, John (October 2, 2018). "Gensler, in latest report, highlights where resilient design could make the greatest impact on the built environment". Building Design + Construction. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  35. ^ "Gensler Annual Report 2020" (PDF). www.gensler.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  36. ^ "Gensler Wins AIA Firm Award". Architecture Week. June 7, 2000. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  37. ^ Mays, Vernon (May 17, 2012). "2012 AIA Honor Awards: HyundaiCard Air Lounge". Architect magazine. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  38. ^ "AIA Announces the 2014 Honor Awards: Architecture". Architect magazine. January 10, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  39. ^ Valet, Vicky (May 1, 2018). "America's Best Midsize Employers 2018". Forbes. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  40. ^ "Giants 2021". Interior Design. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  41. ^ "Best Places to Work". Glassdoor. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  42. ^ "The Employee Ownership 100: America's Largest Majority Employee-Owned Companies | NCEO". www.nceo.org. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  43. ^ "AIA Announces 2020 COTE Top Ten Award Winners". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  44. ^ "WA100 2021: The big list". Building Design. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  45. ^ "Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms of 2021". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  46. ^ Fast Company (March 9, 2021). "The 10 most innovative architecture companies of 2021". Fast Company. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  47. ^ "Best Workplaces for Innovators 2021". Fast Company. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  48. ^ "ENR 2021 Top 100 Green Buildings Design Firms". www.enr.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  49. ^ "| Engineering News-Record". www.enr.com. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  50. ^ "Bayonne's planned 1888 Studios granted site reconfiguration - Hudson Reporter". January 13, 2023.
  51. ^ "San Jose International Airport, Terminal B". Gensler. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  52. ^ "Banc of California Stadium | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  53. ^ "The Avenues – Phase III". Gensler. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  54. ^ "The Avenues | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  55. ^ "NVIDIA | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  56. ^ "Gensler Unveils a Redesign of the Ford Foundation's New York City Headquarters Focused on the Visitor Experience". Gensler. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  57. ^ "Incheon International Airport | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  58. ^ "21st Century Fox Headquarters - New York City". Office Snapshots. September 10, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  59. ^ "Centro de Convenciones de Costa Rica | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  60. ^ "Century City mall goes deluxe with $1-billion makeover to entice online shoppers". Los Angeles Times. September 27, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  61. ^ Widner, Cindy (March 6, 2018). "Peek inside Fairmont Austin, opened just in time for SXSW". Curbed. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  62. ^ "Johnson Controls Headquarters, Asia Pacific | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  63. ^ Jacobs, Sarah. "A look inside The Boston Consulting Group's stunning New York office, which has an in-house cafe and workout rooms". Business Insider. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  64. ^ "E. & J. Gallo Winery Dry Creek Building | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  65. ^ "Four Seasons Hotel, Burj Alshaya Centre | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  66. ^ "Hyatt Corporation | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  67. ^ Kellogg, Craig (December 10, 2016). "Coca-Cola Headquarters Reimagined by Gensler". Interior Design. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  68. ^ "The Washington Post | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  69. ^ "Westin DEN Hotel and Transit Center | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  70. ^ "Jackson Hole Airport | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  71. ^ "Condé Nast | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  72. ^ "Shanghai Tower". Genzler. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  73. ^ "Tower at PNC Plaza". Genzler. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  74. ^ "The Tower at PNC Plaza | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  75. ^ "Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, Gratz Center | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  76. ^ "San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 2". Genzler. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  77. ^ "The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  78. ^ "JetBlue JFK, T5i/T5 Expansion | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  79. ^ "2000 Avenue of the Stars | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  80. ^ "The Gate Building | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  81. ^ "DreamWorks Animation Campus | Projects". Gensler. Retrieved August 17, 2022.

Further reading[edit]

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