Gensler is a global architecture and design firm that works across buildings, interiors, and urban planning

Gensler operates as a privately held partnership with offices in more than 50 cities worldwide. The firm takes on projects ranging from office buildings and corporate headquarters to airports, hospitals, retail spaces, and mixed-use developments. Unlike some architecture practices that specialise in one building type, Gensler works across sectors — hospitality, technology, financial services, healthcare, and government among them.

The firm was founded in 1965 by M. Arthur Gensler Jr. and Paule Gensler in San Francisco. It remains independent and partner-owned rather than publicly traded, which shapes how the firm operates and takes on work. Gensler is structured around studios organised by geography and project type, so a client in New York works with the New York studio, which may pull in specialists from other offices as needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Gensler is a privately held architecture firm with over 50 offices globally, working on buildings, interiors, and urban design across multiple sectors.
  • The firm operates through geographic studios and project-type teams, so your local Gensler office leads your project but can access informed from anywhere in the network.
  • Gensler takes on projects at different scales — from single-building commissions to master-planned developments and campus-wide transformations.
  • The firm's work is visible in major cities and corporate headquarters, but Gensler also works on smaller institutional and commercial projects that shape how people work and move through space.

How Gensler organises its work and teams

Gensler divides its practice into studios based on location — the Los Angeles studio, the London studio, the Shanghai studio — and within each studio, teams organise around project types: workplace design, hospitality, retail, civic and cultural work, and others. This structure means a client typically engages with the studio nearest to their project, but that studio can draw architects, designers, and specialists from other offices if the project calls for particular informed or if Gensler has relevant experience elsewhere.

The firm also maintains what it calls "practice groups" — clusters of informed that cut across studios. A practice group might focus on healthcare design, technology campuses, or sustainable design. These groups share knowledge, develop standards, and help studios deliver consistent quality across different geographies.

Project teams at Gensler usually include architects, interior designers, graphic designers, and sometimes urban planners or landscape architects, depending on scope. For larger projects, a project director oversees the work, with separate leads for design, production, and client relations.

The types of projects Gensler takes on

Gensler's portfolio spans corporate headquarters and office buildings, often for technology and financial services companies. The firm has designed workplaces for major tech firms, investment banks, and consulting companies. These projects typically involve rethinking how people work — open plans, collaboration spaces, wellness amenities — and integrating technology into the physical space.

The firm also works on hospitality projects: hotels, resorts, and restaurants. Gensler's hospitality work includes both luxury properties and branded chains, where the firm develops design systems that can be adapted across multiple locations.

Gensler designs retail environments, from flagship stores to shopping centres. This work often involves understanding how customers move through space, where they pause, and how design influences purchasing behaviour. The firm has worked on retail projects for major brands and on the design of shopping districts and mixed-use developments.

Civic and cultural work — airports, museums, universities, government buildings — represents another significant part of Gensler's practice. These projects are often large, complex, and involve many stakeholders. Gensler's airport work, for instance, includes terminal design, wayfinding, and the coordination of retail, dining, and passenger flow.

Gensler's approach to design and sustainability

Gensler emphasises what the firm calls "design thinking" — starting with the user's experience and working backward to the building. For a corporate office, this might mean beginning with how employees actually work, what kinds of spaces they need, and what the company's culture is, rather than starting with a predetermined floor plan.

Sustainability is integrated into most Gensler projects. The firm pursues LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) on many commissions and explores net-zero energy design, water efficiency, and material choices. However, the depth of sustainability work varies by project — a small interior renovation may have different environmental goals than a new office tower.

Gensler also invests in research and trend analysis. The firm publishes reports on workplace design, retail trends, and urban development, which inform both its own work and the broader design conversation. This research sometimes shapes how Gensler approaches a project type or identifies emerging client needs.

How to work with Gensler or understand their process

Clients typically contact Gensler through the studio in their region or through the firm's main website. Initial conversations usually involve understanding the client's goals, budget, timeline, and constraints. Gensler then proposes a team and approach.

The design process usually follows a sequence: discovery and programming (understanding what the building or space needs to do), schematic design (exploring options and directions), design development (refining the chosen direction), and construction documents (the detailed drawings contractors use to build). The timeline varies widely — a small interior project might take 6 to 12 months from start to finish, while a large building can take 3 to 5 years or longer.

Gensler works with clients across sectors, so the firm has experience navigating different approval processes, building codes, and stakeholder groups. For a civic project, this might mean managing community input and government review. For a corporate client, it might mean coordinating with multiple departments and international offices.

Gensler's presence and scale in the architecture industry

Gensler is one of the largest architecture firms in the world by number of employees and revenue. The firm competes with other large global practices like HOK, Perkins&Will, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), as well as with smaller, more specialised firms. The scale allows Gensler to take on large, complex projects and to maintain offices in major markets worldwide.

The firm's size also means it has institutional knowledge — decades of experience in particular building types and sectors. A Gensler team designing a new hospital can draw on the firm's experience with dozens of previous healthcare projects. This institutional knowledge is one reason large clients often choose large firms.

However, size also means Gensler's work is not uniform. Quality and design direction can vary between studios and between project teams. A Gensler project in one city may look and feel quite different from a Gensler project in another, depending on the local team, the client's vision, and the site context.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire Gensler?

Gensler's fees depend on project scope, complexity, location, and timeline. Large firms typically charge either a percentage of construction cost (often 5 to 10 percent for architecture and design) or a fixed fee based on estimated hours. A small interior project might cost tens of thousands of dollars in design fees, while a large building can cost hundreds of thousands or more. You would discuss fees directly with the studio during initial conversations.

Does Gensler only work on large projects?

Gensler takes on projects of varying sizes, though the firm is known for large commissions. Some studios handle smaller corporate interiors, retail renovations, and institutional work. The firm's capacity and interest in smaller projects varies by location and current workload, so it is worth contacting your local studio to discuss your project scope.

Can I see examples of Gensler's work in my city?

Gensler's website includes a portfolio searchable by location and project type. You can also search for "Gensler" plus your city name to find completed projects. Many of Gensler's buildings and interiors are in major business districts, airports, and corporate campuses, so you may have walked through a Gensler-designed space without knowing it.

How long does a typical Gensler project take?

Timeline depends on project type and complexity. A corporate office interior might take 12 to 18 months from design start to occupancy. A new building typically takes 3 to 5 years from initial design through construction completion. Gensler can discuss realistic timelines once the scope is clear.

What makes Gensler different from other large architecture firms?

Gensler's structure around geographic studios and practice groups, its emphasis on user-centred design, and its scale across multiple sectors are distinguishing features. The firm's research and trend analysis also inform its approach. However, other large firms have similar strengths, so the choice often comes down to team fit, relevant experience, and how well the firm understands your specific goals.