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January 17th 2012
NEW YORK — Jeff Henry, a principal at Gensler, the world’s largest design, planning and architecture firm, was inducted into the Retail Design Legion of Honor at last night’s Retail Design Institute (RDI) International Store Design Awards Show. The Legion of Honor recognizes lifetime contributions that have influenced and shaped retailing, store design and the design culture, both in the United States and abroad. A Gensler design director for the retail and hospitality studios in the firm’s San Francisco headquarters, Henry has been designing spaces for people to gather, shop, connect, eat, interact and engage for more than 30 years.
“It is an honor to be recognized by RDI,” said Henry. “The retail design industry offers such exciting opportunities to elevate the overall consumer experience, and I’ve been lucky enough to work with great clients. Without a close partnership with them, great designs would not be possible.”
Throughout his career, Henry has partnered with world-class brands such as Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, The North Face, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco International Airport Terminal 2, Westfield Galleria and many more.
Henry has also contributed significant time and effort to the design profession. Early in his career, he and his Gensler colleagues were credited with leading the pack of outstanding designers during the San Francisco Bay Area’s retail boom. Since then, his multidisciplinary design background — including fixturing, visual merchandising, product design, interior design and architecture — has influenced retail design on an international scale with clients from around the globe.
“Jeff Henry’s contribution to the success of Gensler’s retail practice over the last two decades has been extraordinary,” said Gensler Managing Principal Dan Winey. “Rarely do you find a designer with the talent and skills that Jeff has. His design ideas are driven by the needs and desires of the client along with extraordinary artistic creativity and skill. A consummate mentor and coach to our younger staff, Jeff is a perfect example of someone who embraces and practices Gensler’s unique culture every day, and we are very lucky to have him as part of our firm.”
Contacts:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comJennifer Fink
415.836.4127
jennifer_fink@gensler.comDecember 15th 2011
HOUSTON — Gensler recently completed a major renovation of the 1926 Julia Ideson Building — one of Houston’s grandest public buildings and the former main public library. The $32 million renovation resulted from a dynamic public/private partnership between the City of Houston and the non-profit
Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners (JILPP). The “new” building will serve as a repository of Houston memorabilia and rare archival material as well as the city’s official reception space and a venue for exhibits, meetings and other special events.
“Restoring the Julia Ideson Building was a labor of love for the whole Gensler team,” said Barry Moore, senior associate at Gensler and lead architect for the project. “The building adds texture and context to our city, and the library’s collection of books, photos and rare documents are an important repository of our history. Generations of Houstonians will now enjoy the gardens, galleries and reading rooms; and scholars will have access to the library’s rich archival materials.”
Gensler served as architect,
Balfour Beatty US was the project’s contractor, and
TBG Partners served as landscape architects.
Originally designed by noted Boston architect Ralph Adams Cram, the building is an outstanding example of the Spanish Renaissance-style replete with polychrome painted ceilings, intricate woodwork, marble columns and lofty public spaces. Cram’s design included a south wing and a reading garden which were never realized due to budget cuts. The “new” Ideson has a south wing that is true to Cram’s original design as well as a reading garden.
Restoration Details • The restoration was executed with painstaking detail on both the interior and exterior. The project included: a new roof, replacements for missing cast stone pieces, a reconfigured and re-landscaped plaza that was careful to preserve the champion bur oaks and a new fence similar to the one shown in Cram & Ferguson’s 1923 presentation drawings.
• On the inside, the intricately painted and coffered ceilings in the public rooms were restored. Historic light fixtures were re-lamped and reproduction fixtures were added in spaces that had no original lighting. Ornamental iron and metal work was refurbished. Tile, wood and stone floors were repaired and refinished.
• Most of the furniture in the public spaces is original to the library or to the 1904 Carnegie Library that preceded it. The built-in bookcases in the second floor Reading Room and the hand-carved children’s furniture featuring fairy-tale scenes in the Norma Meldrum Room on the first floor are original.
• Paintings and sculptures throughout are from the Houston Public Library’s collection. Many of the works were previously displayed in the Ideson and/or Carnegie libraries. The Ideson contains the city’s largest installation of public murals completed under the Works Progress Administration program after the Depression.
Sustainable Design The Ideson building is among the first Texas Historic Landmark projects on track for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. An efficient air-handling system and recycled and low-emitting construction materials are key components of the sustainable design that was created by Gensler in partnership with MEP engineers
Redding Linden Burr.
Contact:Ann Kifer
o: +1 (713) 356-1397
c: +1 (281) 433-9849
ann_kifer@gensler.comDecember 5th 2011
NEW YORK — The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP), a nonprofit member organization serving the educational resource industry, has honored global architecture firm Gensler with its 2011 Talent Development Innovator Award. The award recognizes outstanding hiring, professional development and career advancement programs within the educational resource community. Janine Pesci, Director of Talent Development at Gensler, accepted the award during AEP’s Hall of Fame Ceremony in New York City.
“Gensler is thrilled to be recognized by AEP for our talent development efforts. As a firm, Gensler is dedicated to redefining what’s possible through the power of design, and we believe that this begins with investing in our most important asset — our people,” said Pesci. “Our Talent Development team’s mission is to create a culture that values learning at all levels and fosters individual and team growth. We believe that our approach to talent development provides a framework for Gensler to differentiate itself from other architecture and design firms.”
Gensler was chosen by AEP’s Talent Development Award committee for its comprehensive framework for recruiting and nurturing a diverse, high-quality workforce.
“Gensler is truly an exemplar of what can be accomplished with a world-class talent development program,” said Nelson Heller, President of HellerResults Group and award committee member. “Their company-wide framework engages talent at every level — from intern to legacy. Equally as impressive is the program’s reach; throughout its 41 locations in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Gensler has 3,000 creative professionals and over 2,000 active clients in virtually every industry, delivering projects as large as a city and as small as a task light for an individual’s desk. Providing such high quality professional development consistently across such a wide array of environments and cultures is truly a model of excellence.”
The committee cited four particular areas in which Gensler excelled:
•
Recruitment — Gensler’s multinational recruitment campaign offers a cohesive, multinational strategy for reaching out to college students worldwide with a clear vision of the program’s goals within the context of the company’s overall needs.
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Professional Development — In addition to providing tuition, Gensler provides in-person and virtual training from subject matter experts.
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Leadership Development — Programs like NextGen, Power Careers, and Executive Development provide leadership training, no matter an employee’s career stage.
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Alignment to Business Goals — The firm’s “Vision 2020” strategic plan allows management to evaluate and update recruitment and training practices in conjunction with the company’s long-term plans.
Contact:Julie Obiala
+1 (202) 776-7504
julie_obiala@gensler.comDecember 1st 2011
Gensler Design Sets New Benchmark for Airport Design, Inspires Passengers to Live Sustainably SAN FRANCISCO — In a press conference held today,
San Francisco International Airport announced that the Gensler-designed renovation of the airport’s Terminal 2 (SFO T2) is the first
LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal in the United States. The 640,000-square-foot terminal, which opened to flights in April 2011, features a progressive environmental design that inspires people to live more sustainably. By extending Bay Area culture into the terminal, the design elevates the traveler experience, making it enjoyable for travelers to spend time at the airport. The terminal features 14 gates serving
Virgin America and
American Airlines, and was built in a design-build partnership between
Turner Construction and Gensler for San Francisco International Airport.
“Virgin is known around the world for its focus on sustainability as well as for product innovation that improves the customer experience, and SFO’s T2 represents the future of airport experiences across the globe,” says Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson. “Virgin America has the most fuel-efficient fleet in the US and thanks to the vision of SFO and Gensler, it now has a home base that reflects the evolution of sustainable travel.” John L. Martin, director of San Francisco International Airport concurs, saying: “T2 raises the bar for airports throughout the nation — and around the world.”
Gensler’s design for SFO T2 offers an authentic San Francisco experience within the airport with features that reinforce the Bay Area’s reputation for sustainability and the most advanced technology. “Public buildings should stand for the ideals of the cities they represent,” says M. Arthur Gensler, Jr., founder of Gensler. “San Francisco is committed to sustainability, and SFO recognized that in building T2. This terminal shows the world that airports — even older, remodeled ones — can be great examples of sustainable design.” T2’s design supports the airport’s goal of zero waste and encourages travelers and employees to participate in its sustainable programs. Innovative sustainable design and operations programs at T2 include:
Greening the Airport •
Reduce energy costs: The terminal is designed to save 15 percent more than the energy cost of a terminal designed to meet California’s stringent building code. An innovative displacement ventilation system delivers superior air quality while using 20 percent less power than conventional systems.
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Reduce water use: A dual plumbing system is incorporated in T2 to save water. Plumbing for toilets and urinals is supplied with reclaimed water from the Airport’s Mel Leong Treatment Plant. Plumbing fixtures selected are 40 percent more efficient than typical fixtures.
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Re-use building materials: By reusing a substantial portion of the infrastructure of the existing building in the renovated T2, SFO generates cost savings and reduces the global warming impact of the new terminal by approximately 12,300 tons of CO2.
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Recycle: An aggressive recycling policy and composting for food waste helps to significantly reduce the airport’s waste generation and carbon footprint.
A Sustainable Travel Experience •
“Hydration Stations” enable flyers to fill reusable water bottles once past security, reducing the significant volume of waste created by single-use water bottles. While native San Francisco travelers quickly adapt to this amenity, travelers from other cities will see these stations, triggering their awareness of the possibility of traveling with reusable water bottles.
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Designed to be a teaching tool, creative signage engages travelers and educates T2’s more than six million visitors on the terminal’s sustainable features.
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Eat local! The terminal features celebrated local organic food vendors, offering wholesome food grown locally and prepared in a healthful manner.
A Sustainable Work Experience •
Completing a Multi-Modal Hub: The renovation connects T2 to the Bay Area Regional Transportation System (BART), so that employees and travelers alike can easily go from airport to city on mass transit.
•
Educating the workforce: In addition to the multiple education and signage programs throughout the terminal, airport employees will have access to composting guides at all waste stations that explain the airport’s compost program, and how they can contribute to the airport’s zero waste goal.
Links for Additional Information •
Video: A Day in the Life of T2•
Blog: How an Airport Can Make the World a Greener Place•
Gensler Aviation PortfolioContacts:Leah Ray
+1 (312) 577-7118
leah_ray@gensler.comAnna Robinson
+44 (0)20 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comNovember 15th 2011
BANGALORE, India — Gensler and Space Matrix announce today that Gensler will acquire the 50 percent stake of Studio-I from Space Matrix for an undisclosed sum, assuming full ownership of Studio-I, which was jointly created in 2008 by the companies as an architectural and interior design Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) firm. Since its founding, Studio-I has provided a competitive edge for design and documentation services on workplace, retail and other projects for Gensler’s 41 offices around the world. This ownership transition is the next step in Gensler’s strategy to launch a fully functional office in Bangalore.
“Together with our Space Matrix partners, we originally established Studio-I as a build-operate transfer,” said Gensler Managing Principal Dan Winey. “We’re delighted that Studio-I, after three years of successful joint ownership, is transitioning to become a wholly owned Gensler practice.”
Space Matrix Chief Executive Officer Anurag Srivastava said: “With the success of Studio-I, we are excited to transition Studio-I from a Gensler-Space Matrix JV to a fully owned Gensler company. Several engineering and professional services KPO’s, such as mechanical or legal LPO’s, had done this successfully in India, but Studio-I has proven the KPO model in the architecture space.”
The Studio-I team will continue to provide support to Gensler’s other offices and will gradually build its design and delivery capabilities in India over the next year. Gensler and Space Matrix will remain strategic partners, collaborating on select projects in India and Southeast Asia.
“The Studio-I evolution deepens our ability to serve our growing international client base,” said Winey. “In addition, our team in Bangalore will benefit from increased learning and collaboration opportunities with Gensler’s more than 3,000 employees around the world.”
About Space MatrixFounded in 2001, Space Matrix is a cutting-edge architecture and interior design firm in Asia-Pacific with 11 offices and over 500 staff. The firm’s integrated service model offers expertise across a variety of disciplines in the industry. The firm partners with clients from around the world to create timeless environments that inspire, engage and at the same time are highly functional. Space Matrix addresses a full project range including: civic, commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, residential, transport and workplace design and architecture.
Contact:Julie Obiala
+1 (202) 776-7504
julie_obiala@gensler.com November 14th 2011
Gensler design puts passengers first in intuitively designed terminal with the latest technological amenities for modern travelers NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. —
John Wayne Airport’s (JWA’s) new Terminal C opens to flights and passengers today, extending the airport’s reputation for being a convenient terminal for the modern traveler. Designed by Gensler and constructed by
McCarthy for the County of Orange, Terminal C includes six new commercial passenger gates, security screening checkpoints, food/beverage and news/gift concessions, three baggage carousels and a
Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS). The new 282,000-square-foot terminal increases JWA’s capacity from 8.4 million annual passengers (MAP) to 10.8 MAP and has the capacity to operate domestic and international flights.
“Our design at John Wayne Airport puts passengers first. We wanted to create a terminal that people intuitively understand, and that leverages the latest technology for the modern traveler,” says Keith Thompson, a Gensler principal and leader of the firm’s global Aviation + Transportation practice area.
Gensler’s design for JWA makes air travel clear, comfortable and easy, emphasizing intuitive wayfinding through spacious, accessible pathways. Architecturally, Terminal C draws heavily from the features that make the existing Riley Terminal distinctive. Barrel-vaulted ceilings, clear views throughout the terminal from landside to airside, use of natural stone and a soft, neutral color palette create an open, inviting and high-quality environment for travelers.
Terminal Features •
Universal Check-In: One of the problems commonly found in terminals is the inconsistency and confusing nature of check-in procedures. At Terminal C, a common-use passenger processing system (CUPPS) alleviates that challenge by offering standardized check-in. JWA operates check-in for all airlines, enabling passengers to get to their gates quickly.
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Celebrating Arrival: Gensler designed the baggage claim area in the style of the grand concourses found in old European railroad stations. A huge 70-foot high vaulted roof admits a large amount of light, a characteristic found in few baggage claim areas, creating an exciting and unique sense of arrival that welcomes passengers to Southern California. The layout helps passengers obtain their bags and proceed to the ground transportation areas with ease.
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No More Outlet Hunting: Ample and easily accessible electrical outlets, convenient countertops for laptops and free WiFi throughout the terminal make it easy for travelers to use personal electronics while at the airport.
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Building on Success: The Gensler design team included several architects who worked on JWA’s original Riley Terminal and had a strong sense of the airport’s history and the challenges inherent to the structure.
Sustainable Design and Construction •
An innovative LED lighting system, custom-made for Terminal C through a partnership between Lighting Science Group and Targetti Poulsen USA, will provide consistent lighting throughout the Terminal. Travelers will see this most clearly on the dramatic barrel-vaulted ceilings in each concourse. The system will require little or no maintenance for 20 years and will decrease the energy consumed by the lighting system by at least 37 percent, a significant cost savings.
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Terminal C’s Water Quality Management Plan incorporates environmental controls and specifies the means and methods of pollution control after completion of the buildings.
Links for Additional Information •
The Orange County Register: Diagrams of Terminal C
•
Gensler Aviation PortfolioContacts:Leah Ray
+1 (312) 577-7118
leah_ray@gensler.comNovember 7th 2011
Art Gensler and Firm Recognized at 28th Annual “Night of Stars” NEW YORK — Gensler Founder Arthur Gensler was honored by the Fashion Group International (FGI) at the organization’s 28th Annual “
Night of Stars” event on Thursday, October 27, in New York City. The
Star Award for Architecture was presented to the firm by long-time friend of Gensler and Editor-in-Chief of
Interior Design Magazine Cindy Allen and was accepted on Mr. Gensler’s behalf by the Firm’s Vice Chair and Managing Principal Robin Klehr Avia.
Each year at the “Night of Stars,” FGI recognizes a select number of talented and influential people who have made outstanding contributions to the design, fashion and beauty industries. This year’s theme was “The Luminaries” and honored a myriad of global leaders who have inspired and mentored a significant number of individuals throughout their careers and paved the way for other professionals within their respective industries.
“Fashion Group International represents a broad array of industries within the design community, including fashion, beauty and home,” said FGI President, Margaret Hayes. “In that regard, we view architecture as the most important discipline within the concept of space and how we live, work and play within space. Architecture has long been one of the categories represented in our annual ‘Night of Stars’ ceremony, and we have celebrated the achievements of an architect of outstanding accomplishment for the last 15 years. We bestowed this year’s honor on Art, who along with the architects and designers at Gensler, have left a lasting imprint on the built environment through their vision, innovation, resilience and creativity.”
The “Night of Stars” 2011 Gala also recognized Steve Sadove and Ronald Frasch of Saks Fifth Avenue with the
Superstar Award.
Fashion Star Honorees included designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte; Raf Simons for Jil Sander; and Giambattista Valli. The
Beauty Star Honoree was Francois Nars, and the
Fashion Provocateur, Daphne Guinness.
Corporate Leadership honors went to Andrew Rosen, while Lauren Bush Lauren received the
Humanitarian award, and Wanda Ferragamo was bestowed with the
Legend Award.
About Fashion Group International The Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit, professional organization with over 5000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print; access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion and design play in the marketplace.
Contact:Lauren Davis
212.492.1529
lauren_davis@gensler.comNovember 7th 2011
Upscale design taps into Wilkes Bashford’s local roots and creates a fresh, modern experience for new and loyal shoppers SAN FRANCISCO — Gensler is partnering with Wilkes Bashford, the iconic, upscale men’s and women’s specialty clothing store, on a top-to-bottom renovation of its Union Square store, located on Sutter Street in San Francisco’s historic Union Square shopping district. Wilkes Bashford, part of the renowned Mitchells Family of Stores, has engaged Gensler to refurbish the store’s seven floors of retail space.
“Our goal is to enhance the overall shopping experience for all Wilkes Bashford customers while continuing, throughout the refit, to provide the exemplary, personalized service that is synonymous with Wilkes Bashford,” said Jack Mitchell, CEO of The Mitchells Family of Stores, which acquired Wilkes Bashford in 2009.
Gensler’s new design for the famed clothing retailer pays tribute to the shopping experience that his customers have appreciated over the years and takes it to the next level.
“Our key point of inspiration was the remarkable consistency with which Wilkes Bashford provides shoppers with world-class fashion expertise while at the same time providing a very special San Francisco experience,” said Jeff Henry, design director for Gensler. “Our design creates a strong emotional connection to this illustrious history while bringing about a fresher and more contemporary look and feel that fully showcases all that Wilkes Bashford has to offer.”
Wilkes Bashford is in its 45th year of offering stylish clothing of exceptional quality by the world’s top fashion designers to the San Francisco Bay Area, and will continue to do so throughout the multi-phase refit, scheduled to begin in early November 2011 and to be complete by November 2012.
For more design details, see the "
Wilkes Bashford Fact Sheet."
Contacts:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comJennifer Fink
415.836.4127
jennifer_fink@gensler.comOctober 26th 2011
UNIQLO Opens Two New Store Locations in New York CityNEW YORK — Japanese clothing titan and Gensler client, UNIQLO made a big splash in New York with two store openings, including an 89,000-square-foot global flagship store on New York’s preeminent Fifth Avenue and a second 64,000-square-foot location in the city’s 34th Street retail hub. The Fifth Avenue store will be unique in the world, truly a global flagship and one-of-a-kind. The 34th Street location showcases UNIQLO’s refreshed flagship design concept to be rolled out globally. These are the second and third U.S. locations for the retail company, whose first introduction to Manhattan was a Soho store that opened in 2006. The two additional openings further solidify the well-known Japanese clothing brand’s position as a leader and influencer in the U.S. market and signify a major investment in the New York retail scene.
Gensler acted as the executive architect for both new UNIQLO locations; and the team played an important role in translating the futuristic, experience-focused design developed by Japanese designers Wonderwall for the U.S. market. The design features 60-foot escalators that soar from the first to third floor and are flanked by grand stairs lit with neon LED risers and spinning mannequins. Plus, it includes more than 300 LCD screens for digital signage and utilizes hand-held inventory checking devices. UNIQLO’s design offers a very modern shopping experience, highlighting the retailer’s unique style and service-focused approach via a range of visual displays, vast open spaces, 100 dressing rooms and 50 cash registers.
Gensler’s critical contribution during the design process included ensuring that all designs fit the most recent city-enforced code regulations related to energy consumption. Through the use of UV-coated insulated glass units (IGUs) and a state-of-the-art mechanical system from Daiken, the Gensler team was able to capture new operational efficiencies while maintaining the spirit of the original design. Gensler also collaborated with Wonderwall to achieve the scale and vision of the three-story façade, which includes four glass elevators with large-scale LED screens that essentially create moving signage across the Fifth Avenue façade.
Gensler continues to work with UNIQLO to help expand the brand in other markets as well, including China and Europe. “Even in today’s tough global economy, strong retailers like UNIQLO are finding ways to deliver their brands to new markets,” said Kathleen Jordan, Gensler principal and retail practice area leader. “Whether for American brands going overseas or foreign brands entering the U.S. market, Gensler has the depth and reach to serve clients with both a global and local perspective.”
About UNIQLOUNIQLO is a subsidiary brand of Fast Retailing Co. (FR), a leading Japanese retail holding company that offers clothing under a number of brands, including Theory, g.u., Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse tam.tam. With sales of 814 billion yen in fiscal 2010, FR is one of the top four apparel retailers in the world. UNIQLO operates an integrated business model under which it designs, manufactures, markets and sells apparel, with an emphasis on high-quality casual wear. UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer with more than 1,000 stores worldwide, with operations in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France, United States, Russia and in Japan. With the corporate statement of: “Changing clothes. Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world.”, UNIQLO is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich people’s lives. UNIQLO’s clothing is “made for all,” transcending differences in age, gender, occupation and ethnicity. UNIQLO’s clothing is simple and essential yet universal, allowing people to combine items to create their own unique styles, in any way they choose. These concepts, combined with an uncompromising focus on quality and value, have guided UNIQLO’s actions since its establishment in 1984. For more information about UNIQLO and other Fast Retailing brands, please visit
www.uniqlo.com or
www.fastretailing.com.
Contacts:Lauren Davis
212.492.1529
lauren_davis@gensler.comDonna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comOctober 26th 2011
Video Highlights Benefit of World’s First Floating Tidal River Park to London and Its Visitors LONDON — A
video released today offers a sneak peek inside Gensler’s design of the
London River Park, a project that will introduce a whole new dimension to the River Thames for Londoners and visitors to the capital. With projections of 3.5 million visitors annually, the park is expected to become the latest iconic, must-visit attraction in the historic heart of the city.
Subject to City of London planning approval later this year, the park should open in time for the 2012 London Olympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which will include a Thames flotilla of 1,000 boats on June 3. Plans for the project call for the temporary structure to remain in place for five years.
The planning application is made by the London River Park Ltd and is funded by the Venus Asset Group of Singapore. Gensler’s design is slated to be built by a world-class team including Mace, builders of the London Eye, the London Shard and London’s Olympic Park.
Showing how Londoners and visitors will benefit from four acres of new public space on the River Thames, the animation previews the expected experience of the river park. The video sequence showcases sweeping city views and the structures’ leisure facilities — from the abundant park benches and natural foliage, to the open air lido, through to the two “walkway pontoons” that will connect to the north bank of the river.
The London River Park will be free to use and add another chapter to the rich heritage of the Thames. The London River Park will:
• Provide a star attraction for visitors to London, creating easy connections between some of London’s top tourist destinations, including the Tower of London, Tate Modern and St Paul’s Cathedral.
• Create a cultural asset for the City of London, showcasing its historic beauty and bringing people into the heart of the City, seven days a week.
• Provide a financial benefit for Londoners: in addition to offering fantastic new cultural and educational spaces, the London River Park team will give 30 percent of all net revenue to good causes in the capital via the Greater London Authority.
About the London River Park The park will be a world first, creating a floating walkway along the north bank of the Thames and a remarkable new central London space for people to enjoy. The park will comprise two core parts:
• 1. The 420m western section will start to the east of Blackfriars Bridge and terminate to the east of Southwark Bridge. It will house floating pavilions, trees and open space in front of the historic Queenhithe Dock.
• 2. The 540m eastern section will run from east of Cannon Street Rail Bridge to the east of Customs House by Tower Bridge. As well as further floating pavilions, this element of the park will include a new swimming pool that floats on the Thames and a new docking station for Thames passenger services.
Gensler initially conceived the London River Park in response to its research “
Open Space: An Asset without a Champion.” Subsequently, the firm submitted the project to the 2010 London Planning Awards, at which it garnered the Best Conceptual Project Award and the overall Mayor’s Planning Excellence Award. The vision for the park was to create and revitalize public space along the north bank of the River Thames, providing the world’s first floating river park situated between Blackfriars and the Tower of London. Planning Awards judges received the concept extremely well, and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson called it an “ingenious proposal.”
Links for Additional Information •
London River Park Website•
GenslerOn Blog Post on London River Park•
Gensler Research: “Open Space: An Asset without a Champion”•
Gensler’s Planning + Urban Design Portfolio•
Gensler BackgrounderContacts:Leah Ray
312.577.7118
leah_ray@gensler.comAnna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comOctober 6th 2011
LEED Fellows represent green building industry’s most accomplished professionals LOS ANGELES — The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) named Nellie Reid of Gensler to the inaugural class of LEED Fellows. The LEED Fellow Program honors and recognizes distinguished LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) who have made a significant contribution to the field of green building and is GBCI’s most prestigious professional designation. She is among 34 of the world’s most distinguished green building professionals to be selected as LEED Fellows through a peer nomination and portfolio review process.
Reid, LEED Fellow, director of sustainable design, has 14 years of professional experience as a sustainable design consultant, master planner and strategist with expertise in the hospitality, aviation, mixed-use and commercial sectors. Notable projects include: MGM MIRAGE’s CityCenter project in Las Vegas, an 18-million-square-foot, mixed-use project on the Strip that achieved six LEED Gold certifications; San Jose International Airport North Concourse; The Shore Hotel in Santa Monica; and the new Gensler Los Angeles office.
In addition to her project work, Nellie has been instrumental in leading Gensler’s sustainable design practice and deepening the firm’s base of knowledge on sustainability. She was the firm’s first LEED AP and has been a major force in building our expertise to now include more than 1,000 LEED APs across the firm. As a founding member of the USGBC’s Los Angeles chapter and former vice chair, she is a passionate advocate of green building practices.
“I am thrilled to be named as a LEED Fellow and proud to be part of this outstanding group of sustainable design pioneers,” said Reid. “I look forward to collaborating with my Fellow peers to further GBCI’s mission.”
“We are thrilled to bestow the LEED Fellow designation upon these highly accomplished individuals,” said Peter Templeton, president, GBCI. “The Fellows are some of the leading innovators and vanguards of the green building movement, and their bodies of work strongly underscore their commitment to LEED and a sustainable built environment.”
Nellie will be recognized with the 2011 LEED Fellow class at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Toronto from October 4-7, 2011. For more information on the LEED Fellow program, please visit
www.gbci.org/fellow.
Contact:Julie Obiala
202.776.7504
julie_obiala@gensler.comOctober 2nd 2011
Gensler Design Celebrates Maine’s Legacy of Shipyards and Craftsmanship in Airport Designed for Maximum Sustainability and Passenger Comfort PORTLAND, Maine — Gensler presents the newest benchmark in sustainable airport design in today’s opening of
Portland International Jetport’s terminal expansion. Located in Portland, Maine, the 160,000-square-foot, three-gate facility is designed to achieve
LEED Gold certification from the Unites States Green Building Council (USGBC). The $75 million terminal expansion features an innovative geothermal heating and cooling system, the largest in Maine, which was funded by a
Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant from the Federal Aviation Administration. Gensler is the terminal’s architect; AMEC Earth and Environmental provided civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering; and Haley and Aldrich were the geotechnical engineers.
“This project is a critical step forward for the Jetport and will usher in a new level of service and efficiency for our nearly 1.8 million annual passengers,” says Jetport Director Paul Bradbury. “The new terminal with its clean lines, intuitive wayfinding, is a model for passenger efficiency and user friendliness, yet it still provides a distinctive sense of place. From the expansive wood structure to the granite finishes, it proclaims loudly its roots in Portland and the great state of Maine.”
Gensler’s design builds upon Maine’s tradition of boatyards and shipping. Inspired by the craftsmen of the Bath Ironworks, the airport’s design celebrates one of Maine’s great natural resources, its timber, in a design notable for its finely crafted materials and details. The terminal will provide passengers with a high level of comfort and ease in travel, and will include a new ticketing hall, a modern baggage handling area that places TSA baggage screening out of view, six new passenger checkpoint lanes, new departures lounges, concessions, and food court seating.
“We designed the terminal to honor and showcase Maine’s natural resources, while creating a welcoming atmosphere for passengers,” says Gensler principal Bill Hooper, a leader of the firm’s global aviation practice. “In each of our global airport designs, we create terminals that draw from local materials and traditions. Maine’s legacy of shipyards and craftsmanship was a real inspiration for our design at Portland Jetport.”
Sustainable Design Highlights • The architecture reinforces Maine’s connection to the natural environment by using signature materials not typically found in commercial airport terminals, like natural wood finishes.
• The signature element of the architecture’s interior, an artisanally crafted wood roof, is constructed from FSC certified glue laminated structural timbers.
• Polished concrete floor slabs replace terrazzo, saving the production, transportation, and greenhouse gas emissions of cement and marble based terrazzo. The roof structure of the large ticketing hall and screening checkpoint are exposed to view and do not use acoustical ceiling tile.
Geothermal System Statistics• The geothermal system is the largest in Maine, with 120 five hundred foot deep ground wells and nearly 23 miles of high-density polyethylene.
• The geothermal system is estimated to reduce oil consumption by more than 50,000 gallons per year, which based on a conservative estimate of today’s heating oil prices will save the Jetport more than $160,000 per year.
• The geothermal system is projected to prevent emissions of 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide and .9 tons of nitrogen oxide per year.
• The system pumps up to 475 gallons per minute of water with a 125 horsepower pump. Under normal operation it takes approximately 30 minutes for water to complete a round trip to the furthest well.
Passenger Statistics • The jetport currently serves a Portland metropolitan population of approximately 230,000 residents and draws passengers from the wider New England area. The City of Portland receives approximately 3.6 million tourists a year.
• In 2009, the jetport recorded 862,000 annual enplaned passengers and is projected to reach 1.26 million enplaned passengers by 2015. The existing terminal is overcrowded at peak periods, especially at the passenger security screening checkpoint. Currently, checked bags are screened in the public ticketing lobby, taking up valuable floor space and impeding lobby circulation.
Links for Additional Information•
Portland Jetport Website •
Gensler’s Aviation + Transportation Portfolio•
Gensler BackgrounderContact:Leah Ray
312.577.7118
leah_ray@gensler.comSeptember 29th 2011
WASHINGTON — Gensler Executive Directors Andy Cohen, David Gensler and Diane Hoskins announce that Pat Askew, AIA, has joined Gensler as Senior Director of the firm’s
Aviation + Transportation Practice Area, effective September 2011. Based in Gensler’s
Washington, D.C. office, Askew will partner with Practice Area leadership to expand and deepen the firm’s airport planning and design team, including helping to lead the group’s international growth. Askew’s significant expertise in airport planning and programming, in addition to extensive experience in the delivery of complex projects, will strengthen Gensler’s team of award-winning airport designers.
“Gensler’s current international airport projects in Korea (Incheon) and India (Chennai) are opening new doors for our firm, and Pat’s relationships in emerging global markets will enable us to expand our international network and design context,” said Diane Hoskins.
Askew has more than 35 years of experience in the aviation industry as an architect and planner and joins Gensler from Perkins+Will, where he directed the firm’s global aviation team. In this role, Askew led the planning and design development for a new five-million-square-foot concourse in the Middle East. Askew previously served as a senior vice president and managing director of HOK’s aviation planning and design practice. While at HOK, he led the planning for London Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 and the design for the Midfield Terminal at Indianapolis International Airport.
“Pat’s airport planning and project delivery expertise, particularly in global markets, will add immediate value to our existing clients and add a new dimension to Gensler’s aviation design capabilities,” said Principal Bill Hooper, a global leader of Gensler’s Aviation + Transportation practice. “I’m delighted to welcome him to Gensler, and look forward to the designs we will create together.”
“The opportunity to join such an accomplished aviation design practice is very exciting,” said Pat Askew. “Gensler is the leading firm in the aviation and transportation field, and I am looking forward to collaborating with the team to take the firm to the next level.”
Landmark Gensler aviation projects include:
San Francisco International Airport’s new Terminal 2;
John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5 (JetBlue Terminal);
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport’s North Terminal; and,
Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2.
Links for Additional Information•
Gensler’s Aviation + Transportation Portfolio•
Gensler BackgrounderContact:Leah Ray
312.577.7118
leah_ray@gensler.comSeptember 27th 2011
Thirty-year Veteran Strengthens Gensler’s Sports Practice LOS ANGELES — Gensler is pleased to welcome Keith J. Fuchigami, AIA, as a member of the Los Angeles office and the sports practice. With more than 30 years of professional experience, Fuchigami is a recognized expert in sports and recreation programming, planning and design. He specializes in college and university facilities, and has worked on indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, student recreation centers, student unions and housing on more than 40 campuses throughout the U.S.
Immediately prior to joining Gensler, Fuchigami served as a vice president at Cannon Design in the education, sports and recreation group. This is his second stint with Gensler, having previously worked in the LA office from 2004 to 2007, where he was responsible for programming and planning for sports and recreation facilities, classrooms and performing arts buildings.
“We are so glad to have Keith back at Gensler, as he brings a wealth of college and university experience and leadership to the Gensler sports design practice,” says Ron Turner, Gensler’s sports practice leader for Gensler. “This addition will help us serve our existing clients and expand the practice nationally.”
Fuchigami is a well-regarded public speaker for his expertise on student recreation centers on college and university campuses. He has spoken on the programming, planning, and renovation of this building type at National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), Athletic Business, and Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) conferences. He has also authored a number of articles for magazines on a wide range of topics from the selection of sports surfaces to the implication of building codes on the design of sports and recreation facilities.
Keith earned his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Southern California and is a licensed architect in the State of California.
Contact:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comSeptember 26th 2011
Experiential Video Part of Social Media Campaign Linking Travelers to Design and Real-Time Check-In Rewards SAN FRANCISCO — Gensler, architects of
San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 2 (SFO T2) and
Virgin America, the terminal’s anchor tenant, announce the release of
A Day in the Life of SFO T2, a video by filmmakers
Spirit of Space. A Day in the Life of SFO T2 is a key element in Virgin America’s fall promotion “VX Deals on the Fly,” launching today via
Loopt, the geo-social network. The promotion will offer travelers mobile check-in rewards at various locations throughout SFO T2.
Spirit of Space, the self-described “Architecture Paparazzi,” is a collaborative of filmmakers who make short films about the built environment. Adam Goss, co-founder of Spirit of Space, explains: “With film, every space can tell a million stories. We determine the key elements from the architect’s point of view, and share the design story in a way that everyone understands.” Spirit of Space co-founder Red Mike continues: “There’s so much specialization in architecture today, and digital media is a part of it. It is part of the design output, and it is part of the design process.”
The idea behind A Day in the Life of SFO T2 is to capture the experience of SFO’s T2 from the passenger’s perspective, so that people can understand how Terminal 2’s innovative design is different from most airports. T2 elevates the travel experience by offering the best in design, technology, food and sustainable practices. The 640,000-square-foot terminal welcomed its first flight guests in April 2011, and aims to become the first LEED® Gold-certified airport terminal.
“Seeing the film prepares people to understand what the terminal is like when you’re there. It’s a unique way of storytelling,” says Terence Young, a Gensler design director. “It really establishes our point of view about the space.”
Now through December 2011, Loopt users can check-in pre-flight or post-flight at T2, watch a new visually stunning short film about T2’s unique design and automatically score a “VX Deal on the Fly,” with discounts and offers from T2’s upscale vendors delivered directly to their iPhone. Travelers can then flash their reward via their mobile screen at select vendors to claims deals like a free dessert at Cat Cora, free product samples at Kiehl’s and sweet discounts at Natalie’s Candy Jar. In addition, travelers can score a variety of Virgin America flight discounts as well as other rewards that can be used for future trips. The
Loopt app is available at the
Apple App Store or
Android Market.
The film continues SFO T2’s legacy of offering groundbreaking traveler amenities made possible through emerging technologies. At SFO T2, passengers have access to unusual airport features.
SFO T2 Traveler Amenities Include • SFO T2 has a groundbreaking new
Recompose area, where passengers can rest and regroup after passing through security. Rather than offering a few folding chairs and tables typical at many airports, Recompose offers well-designed upholstered seating that’s convenient and comfortable for passengers. The “fresh” feeling passengers experience in Recompose is largely a factor of the abundant natural daylight and high-quality air made possible by sustainable technologies.
•
Children’s play areas feature interactive artwork by noted artists, and offer kids a place to romp before boarding long flights, and are located near cafés enabling parents to grab a snack while watching their children play.
• Eco-conscious travelers can refill reusable water bottles at the center of the concourse at cleverly designed Hydration Stations.
• No more outlet hunting! The terminal is technology friendly with gate lounges featuring a variety of places to sit, work or relax, all while plugged in. Ample electrical outlets are located throughout the terminal and free WiFi is accessible throughout.
• Ready to explore? Travelers can take a self-guided audio tour of T2’s newly commissioned artworks by downloading an
iPhone app, courtesy of the
San Francisco Arts Commission.
Links for Additional Information •
A Day in the Life of T2 video•
Architecture, Storytelling + Film blog post•
Making SFO T2 video•
SFO T2 Project story on Gensler websiteContact:Leah Ray
312.577.7118
leah_ray@gensler.comAugust 18th 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. — Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm, is pleased to announce that former Vernacular Studio Principals Brett Hautop and Chad Parker have joined the firm in its Raleigh, North Carolina location.
Brett has a wide breadth of experience with diverse project types including corporate, public, cultural, and interior renovations, as well as an extensive background in historic re-use, space planning and programmatic studies. Chad also has a well-rounded design background that includes corporate, higher education, athletics/aquatics facilities, and restaurants/hospitality.
“When seeking talent to join Gensler, we always look for people whose experience and design depth not only aligns with our practice areas, but also will help us expand on our areas of expertise,” says John Gaulden, principal and co-office director of Gensler’s Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte offices. “Having Brett and Chad join the Gensler family will have an immediate impact on our ability to connect with and serve a wider client base.”
“I was thoroughly impressed by Brett and Chad the moment I met them,” says Ernest Muñoz, principal and co-office director of Gensler’s Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte offices. “Their energy and commitment to the Raleigh-Durham community is unmatched. We very much look forward to working with them.”
Brett and Chad received their Bachelor of Architecture degrees from North Carolina State University (NCSU), where they graduated summa cum laude and were recipients of the Faculty Design Award and the Deitrick Award. Before Vernacular, Chad was a project manager at CJMW Architecture; and Brett was a project manager at The Freelon Group in Durham, N.C.
Under their direction, Vernacular Studio received numerous design awards, including four AIA design awards.
Chad currently serves on the Board of Directors of AIA-Triangle and is vice chair of the AIA-Triangle Design Awards committee. He’s also president of NCSU’s Young Alumni Association. Brett is an adjunct faculty member at NCSU’s School of Architecture and also serves on its Board of Advisors. In addition, Brett is a committee member of Triangle ULI and recently completed the Leadership Raleigh program through the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
As of September 12, 2011, Gensler’s entire Raleigh-Durham team can be reached at 530 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603.
Contact:Annette Jones
202.776.7560
annette_jones@gensler.comJuly 8th 2011
LOS ANGELES — Gensler recently won a design and planning competition for
Istanbul Theme Park, a groundbreaking mixed-use development in Istanbul, Turkey. The project, led by MESA Housing Industries, Inc., will develop 370 acres, bringing a range of new residential, office, retail, and hospitality options to the city and its 14 million residents. The plan also creates 150 acres of open spaces and parks, including the region’s first theme park.
“This is a master planning project that essentially creates a city-within-a-city, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” says Marty Borko, principal and leader of Gensler’s mixed use practice. “Gensler’s deep range of expertise in planning, mixed-use development, retail, convention facilities, branding and more will help create a well-designed, sustainable, diverse community and add a new dimension to this already remarkable city.”
The city of Istanbul, located at the crossroads of both Europe and Asia, has been the cornerstone of the Turkish economy for more than 2,000 years. Today the Turkish capital leads the nation’s push toward European Union membership. At the same time, there is also a deep desire to hold tight to Istanbul’s unique cultural heritage, and that sentiment was taken into consideration during planning and design development.
“As the plan developed, we kept both ‘new’ and ‘old’ in mind. We’re incorporating best practices around planning, design and sustainability — building around existing transportation routes, maximizing proximity and views to the lake, creating dynamic open spaces — while respecting the region’s rich history and culture,” according to Tom Sze, design director and senior associate in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. “Additionally, the overall concept for the master plan, The City of Seven Gardens, was inspired by Istanbul’s nickname, ‘The City on Seven Hills.’ We look forward to taking the plans to the next level very soon.”
For more information on this project, please visit:
Istanbul Theme Park project site Master plan animationAerial view of theme park concept Contact:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comJune 16th 2011
Global Design Firm to Collaborate with French Architect Groupe-6 in Villeurbanne, FranceLOS ANGELES — Gensler is pleased to announce its selection by Société De Projet Salle Multifonction, S.A.S. (“SPSM”), as lead architect for the Villeurbanne-Lyon Arena project, a new 12,000-seat indoor multipurpose arena that includes the Tony Parker Academy, a training academy for promising young basketball players. This project is expected to open in Villeurbanne, France, in April 2015, and will anchor a broader mixed-use development that will include a public plaza, team practice facilities, a cultural hall and links to nearby transit.
The project will be developed in partnership with the City of Villeurbanne, a suburb of France’s second-largest market, Lyon, and Grand Lyon, which is the regional government encompassing Lyon and several other major suburban communities. Grand Lyon is the fifth largest regional economic area in Europe.
Gensler’s collaborators on the project will include Groupe-6 as associate architect. Based in Grenoble, France, Group-6 has considerable experience in the development of public assembly facilities in France, and will play a key role collaborating with Gensler regarding design and regulatory matters.
“Our team at Gensler and associates at Groupe-6 are really excited about this project,” said Ron Turner, principal and leader of Gensler’s global sports practice. “The arena’s proximity to transit and its location in the heart of the Grand Lyon region is an ideal location for a venue of this magnitude. We are especially pleased by the input from the city and SPSM that this should be a modern, state-of-the-art venue that achieves the highest level of European standards.”
Contact:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comJune 7th 2011
Firm Also Serving As Interior Architect for Significant Spaces Across CampusHOUSTON — Gensler is pleased to announce its role as record architect for ExxonMobil’s new office campus in Houston, Texas. The firm is also serving as interior architect for significant spaces across the campus.
The new ExxonMobil campus will be located on a 385-acre site and will contain multiple low-rise office buildings, a laboratory, conference and training centers and facilities such as child care, a wellness center and other employee amenities.
Gensler’s collaborators on the project include Pickard Chilton as master planner and design architect, PDR as campus programmer and interior architect, and Hargreaves Associates as landscape architect.
“We are pleased to be part of the ExxonMobil team on this groundbreaking project,” notes Jim Furr, FAIA, Managing Principal of Gensler’s South Central Region. “Throughout this process ExxonMobil has embraced the concept of collaboration.”
For more information about the project, please visit
ExxonMobil.
Contact:Monica Schaffer
212.492.1442
monica_schaffer@gensler.comMay 6th 2011
Rhode Island School of Design’s Nathalie Jolivert Wins First Prize; Marcus Addison Hooks from Yale Receives Second-prize HonorWASHINGTON, D.C. — Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm, today announced the winners of its third annual Diversity Scholarship. First prize went to Nathalie Jolivert, an architecture student at the Rhode Island School of Design; Marcus Addison Hooks of Yale University received second-prize honors. The Gensler Diversity Scholarship is a juried program that recognizes emerging talent in African-American college students enrolled in an accredited architecture program. Both winners will receive an academic scholarship as well as a full-time internship with Gensler.
View the Scholarship Winners GalleryDuring a rigorous selection process, each application was considered by a panel of jurors representing diverse aspects of the design profession. Jolivert impressed the jury by sharing her desire to creatively shape societies by combining a passion for improving cultural experiences with her artistic skills.
“Nathalie’s submission was very original and shows very sophisticated thinking on a unique project in a culture other than her own,” said Carlos Martinez, a principal and design director at Gensler who served on the Diversity Scholarship jury. “Her design solution integrates sustainability, social responsibility and innovation.”
According to Jolivert: “It is an honor for me to receive the Gensler Diversity Scholarship. Not only does this scholarship bring financial relief to my family, but with the mentorship and internship programs provided, my education will surely be enriched.”
Second-place winner, Marcus Addison Hooks, also impressed the jury with his submission. “Marcus stood out from the crowd,” said Martinez. “His design solution reveals that design is all about rational problem solving, driven by creative process.”
“I am incredibly thankful to the scholarship committee for selecting me as a recipient,” said Hooks. “This scholarship is more than anything an opportunity for me to continue to learn and grow as a designer, architect and professional.”
Gensler’s Diversity Scholarship program reflects Gensler’s longstanding commitment to the recruitment and development of diverse emerging design talent and was founded to encourage a more robust dialogue between the architectural profession and African-American architecture students. Now in its third year, the program raises awareness of the architectural profession as a career choice and seeks to make design careers more accessible for African-American students. The program is a critical component of Gensler’s university and student outreach programs.
View the Scholarship Winners GalleryContact:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comApril 14th 2011
Gensler-Designed Terminal Features Bay Area Culture, Sustainable InnovationSAN FRANCISCO — Gensler presents a new benchmark for contemporary air travel with the opening of San Francisco International Airport’s renovated Terminal 2 (SFO T2), a terminal that elevates the traveler experience by highlighting the Bay Area’s distinct culture, art and epicurean delights. Registered with the United States Green Building Council, the terminal aims to become the first LEED® Gold-certified terminal in the United States. The 640,000-square-foot terminal includes 14 gates serving Virgin America and American Airlines, and was built in a design-build partnership between Turner Construction and Gensler for San Francisco International Airport.
“SFO T2 is very different than what the public has come to expect from air travel,” says Arthur Gensler, founder of Gensler. “Our design for SFO T2 puts passengers first. We want people to enjoy the time that they spend at the airport and be delighted by unexpected experiences.”
Passengers will notice a number of notable innovations. For example:
• SFO T2 has a groundbreaking new
Recompose area, where passengers can rest and regroup after passing through security. Rather than offering a few folding chairs and tables typical at many airports,
Recompose offers well-designed upholstered seating that’s convenient and comfortable for passengers. Passengers can find their way around the terminal very easily. Gensler designed the interiors with clear sight lines to enable passengers to see their gates from adjacent shops and restaurants, making it easier to relax and manage their pre-boarding experience.
•
Children’s play areas feature interactive artwork by noted artists and offer kids a place to romp before boarding flights. These play areas are located conveniently near cafes enabling parents to grab a snack, while watching their children play.
• Eco-conscious travelers can refill reusable water bottles at the center of the concourse at cleverly designed
Hydration Stations.
• No more outlet hunting! The terminal is
technology friendly with gate lounges featuring a variety of places to sit, work or relax, all while plugged in. Ample electrical outlets and free WiFi are accessible throughout the terminal.
Jeff Henry, a Gensler principal and design director, further explains: “With the amount of time we find ourselves spending in airports, our goal was to create an environment that is a destination in itself, and not simply a space to be endured while traveling. There is a shift in the way we see and experience airports, and our design reflects this new awareness.”
SFO is the only U.S. airport that is an accredited museum, and the design of T2 highlights unique art installations by world-renowned artists, each supporting Gensler’s overall design themes of clouds and flight. Norie Sato’s "Air Over Under" adorns the exterior façade, and inside the main ticket hall Kendall Buster’s "Topograph" anchors the ticket hall and draws passengers from ticketing areas toward security. In a unique area just past security, a dramatic hanging installation by artist Janet Echelman creates a sense of dynamism and delight. Two children’s play areas feature art installations by San Francisco artists Walter Kitundu and Charles Sowers, whose interactive artworks offer travelers of all ages a playful oasis while highlighting local wildlife and nature.
T2’s energy-efficient design will offer SFO considerable energy savings — 15% beyond a facility designed to meet California’s stringent building codes — amounting to $170,000 savings in annual operating costs. Beyond operating efficiently, T2 highlights community involvement in its design and programs. The sustainable agenda includes progressive composting and recycling programs, as well as unique airport signage that engages airport employees and passengers alike in the overall experience.
Links for Additional Information•
Fact Sheet and links to images
•
SFO T2 Website with detailed information on the airport’s art collection and programs
•
Blog: “How an Airport Can Make the World a Greener Place” with interactive graphic links
•
Blog: "SFO Past & Future" featuring Art Gensler video interview
•
Blog: "Art + Design at the Airport"•
Project Story
About SFOSFO provides nonstop service to more than 65 U.S. cities on 21 domestic airlines and to 32 international points on 27 international carriers. SFO offers twice as many non-stop flights to the New York area than all other Bay Area airports combined — making SFO the Bay Area’s Airport of Choice. SFO was voted “North America’s Best Airport” in 2008 by passengers for its outstanding customer service and amenities.
About TurnerTurner is the leading general builder in the U.S., ranking first or second in the major segments of the building construction field. During 2009, Turner completed $8.2 billion of construction. Turner is the only builder offering clients a nationwide network of offices across the U.S. Founded in 1902, the firm is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, a publicly traded company and one of the world’s leading international construction service providers. For more information, visit Turner’s
website.
About GenslerGensler is a global design, planning, and strategic consulting firm networked across 35 locations on five continents. Consistently ranked by U.S. and international industry surveys as the leading architecture and interior design firm, Gensler leverages its deep resources and diverse expertise to develop design solutions for industries across the globe. For its longstanding commitment to the advancement of sustainable design, Gensler received the Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2005. For more information, visit our website or
blog, follow us on
Twitter, or like us on
Facebook.
Contact:Leah Ray
o: 312.577.7118
c: 312.498.2591
leah_ray@gensler.comMarch 29th 2011
Gensler-Designed Center for Dance Creates Gateway to City’s Theater District HOUSTON — Today marks the first day of rehearsals in Houston Ballet’s new Center for Dance, now the largest professional dance facility in the United States and a visual statement of the city’s longstanding commitment to philanthropy and the performing arts. Creating a new gateway to a downtown Theater District that is already home to the Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony and Alley Theatre, the prominent, six-story, 115,000-square-foot facility boasts nine dance studios, a dance lab, and artistic, administrative and support facilities for Houston Ballet and its academy. The public is invited to attend the Center for Dance’s grand opening on Saturday, April 9, at noon, with a ribbon cutting ceremony presided over by Houston Mayor Annise Parker and free performances by Houston Ballet II.
With its striking black granite façade featuring views to dancers within, the new Center for Dance will enable Houston Ballet’s education programs to reach an estimated 30,000 students by 2015. Currently, the River Oaks-based academy provides instruction for 375 dancers and an education and outreach program that annually brings dance alive for approximately 19,000 Houston-area students.
“This building is a tangible symbol of Houston’s passionate commitment to the arts, and it will cement the city’s reputation as an international center for the performing and visual arts,” said Jesse H. Jones II, co-chairman of the capital campaign and a longtime trustee of Houston Ballet Foundation. “In many ways, the Center for Dance is a symbol of the resiliency and vitality of Houston, its economy and its people. Moving into our new home is a great leap forward for the company, allowing us to expand our education and dance training programs.” Mr. Jones served as co-chair of the ongoing capital campaign along with John C. Bass and the late Anita B. Stude. (Mrs. Stude served as co-chairman of the campaign from 2006 until her death in July 2009.)
Working with general contractor W.S. Bellows, Gensler and Houston Ballet carefully orchestrated a tight construction budget and completed the project for $46.6 million — $6.4 million under its original projected budget of $53 million — and opened the facility ahead of schedule. “We are very excited that Houston’s donor community has helped us to raise $42.3 million in new contributed dollars, which along with the ballet’s existing assets, made the project happen,” said Houston Ballet Managing Director C.C. Conner.
An open-air pedestrian sky bridge, featuring a graphic wave of leaping dancers, connects the new facility to its adjacent performance venue, providing a compelling architectural presence, and a strategic backstage entrance for the dancers. Passersby may even see a glimpse of dancers moving from practice space to performance. Inspired by a proscenium stage, the granite façade frames daytime and illuminated nighttime views of dancers rehearsing within, so that the building becomes an animated billboard for dance.
“Houston Ballet has established a reputation for artistic innovation, and I’m delighted that Gensler and Houston Ballet were able to bring this vision to life,” said James E. Furr, FAIA, regional managing principal of Gensler’s South Central region. “The opportunity to advance the arts, strengthen Houston’s reputation, and bolster the city’s economy with a major construction project during a recession has been tremendous. It’s an honor to be a part of this project and to contribute to advancing the arts in Houston.”
Gensler designers crafted graceful, seemingly effortless interior spaces that place ballet at center stage. The concept behind the interior design is to create a gallery-like space within which dancers become works of art. Contrasted with the dynamic, vibrant dancers, the interiors are quiet, featuring a neutral color palette and a recurrent linear theme. The airy, spacious interior features double-height studios that provide interior views to rehearsing dancers, while maximizing the building’s spectacular exterior views of downtown Houston and Buffalo Bayou. Clear interior sight lines engender a spirit of openness, activity and collaboration. Linear light fixtures appear to dance free-form above the fifth floor Great Room, activating a space that serves to foster collaboration and socialization between professional dancers, students, teachers and administrative staff.
“The Center for Dance gives Houston Ballet a home that is truly an international dance center. The building will be an icon for the art of dance nationally and internationally. And the Center for Dance will further secure Houston’s reputation as a cosmopolitan, sophisticated, international city, with a thriving arts community,” notes Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch.
Additional InformationHouston BalletCenter for Dance Video TourJames Furr’s Center for Dance Blog PostAbout Houston BalletHouston Ballet has 54 dancers and an endowment of just over $55 million (as of January 2011), making it the United States fourth largest ballet company by number of dancers. Houston Ballet has toured extensively both nationally and internationally including appearances in London, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Washington, D.C., and New York. Houston Ballet has emerged as a leader in creating and developing new full-length narrative ballets. Houston Ballet Orchestra consists of 61 professional musicians under the instruction of music director Ermanno Florio. Houston Ballet Academy has reached over 19,000 Houston area students and has had four academy students win prizes at the prestigious international ballet competition the Prix de Lausanne, with one student winning the overall competition in 2010.
Contact:Leah Ray
o: 312.577.7118
c: 312.498.2591
leah_ray@gensler.comMarch 7th 2011
More than 950 football pitches (1100 hectares) needed to meet 2031 growth projectionsLONDON — A study by global design firm Gensler and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) into the value of public open space reveals that businesses’ desire to be located in close proximity to open spaces could release £1.3 billion of investment in the creation, development and maintenance of new public space, offsetting London’s future open-space deficit, projected to be 1100 hectares (ha) by 2031. Further, 95 percent of property professionals would be willing to pay up to three percent more for property with easy access to quality open space. The report "
Open Space: an asset without champion?" will be released at MIPIM 2011.
“Access to open space is the key to making cities more liveable, and clearly to create greater economic value,” says Ian Mulcahey, Gensler principal and leader of the firm’s planning and urban design practice. “Our research shows that the tremendous economic value of open space is not being fully realised. As leaders within the design and construction industries, it is our responsibility to champion the balanced development of our cities and the need for public and private sectors to work together on open-space provision.”
More than 350 property professionals from across Europe — including investors, developers and advisors — responded to the Gensler/ULI survey exploring the use and need of open spaces including: vacant plots, small parks, narrow corridors for walking or cycling, green roofs and hard-surfaced squares. The findings affirm that open space has strong economic, environmental and social value, which to date is not being fully realised.
The Gensler/ULI survey results show that respondents value accessibility to open space but feel that cities do not provide enough of it; 70 percent use open spaces at least once a week but just over half (54 percent) thought cities had adequate provision. Population growth and migration towards successful cities increases the pressure on open space provision, and the report warns that without the creation of more open areas, London will have an open space deficit of 46 percent by 2031.
“In cities where development land is scarce, we need to address open space provision through creative re-use,” explains Gensler’s Mulcahey. “This can be achieved through the revitalisation of underused building plazas, the construction of roof terraces, river parks and multi-use spaces, as well as the conversion of spaces in between buildings.”
The Gensler/ULI report also reveals a strong consensus that public-private partnerships would be the most appropriate and effective means of funding open spaces, with 84 percent of respondents believing that both the public and private sectors should be responsible for the development of open spaces. This percentage rises to 100 percent among developers, indicating a clear willingness by the private sector to engage in the provision of open space.
“Owners and occupiers say they are prepared to pay a premium to be close to high quality open space,” notes Mulcahey. “Through collaborative partnerships, such as business improvement districts and new tenant/landlord agreements, we could meet our open-space deficit and capture a great deal of economic value for our cities.”
Notes to Editors*
"Open Space: an asset without champion?" will be presented by Ian Mulcahey, Gensler principal and leader of the firm’s planning and urban design practice on the ULI stand (Booth: H4.26), Thursday, March 10, at 11:45am. Speakers include Peter Bishop, LDA, and Greg Clark, ULI.
* Interviews with Gensler and ULI available upon request, please contact:
Anna Robinson, Gensler, or
Andrew Rieley.
Open Space Deficit Equation In 1943, Patrick Abercrombie, in his seminal plan for London, attempted to define what an appropriate level of open-space provision should be for London. He settled on a figure of 1.62 ha/1000 people. This target was subsequently lowered in the 1950s to 1.01 ha/1000 people, and by the 1960s, the policy target was dropped altogether.[i]
The Urban Green Nation report by CABE calculated that London currently has 1.24 ha/1000 people, falling short of the mean score of 1.79 ha/1000 for England as a whole.[ii] 1.79 ha/1000 people is surprisingly close to the 1.62 ha identified by Abercrombie in 1943. The difference, however, is that London’s population is now approximately a million people less than it was in 1939, which has enabled London to close the gap on what was regarded as an aspirational target.
The challenge for London since the 1980s has been the reversal of the post-war decline in population. The population is anticipated to continue growing, reaching an estimated 8,840,100 people by 2031.[iii] To maintain the provision of open space at the current ratio, London will need an additional 1100 ha of open space, which is equivalent to five parks the size of the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. This equates to a current open space deficit* of 30 percent and a deficit of 46 percent by 2031.
*Deficit = the difference between the 1943 Abercrombie target and the current open space provision as estimated by CABE.
Valuation Equation 906,321,257 sq ft (total commercial office space in London**) x £47.8 (Average price per square foot***) = £43,322,156,084 (value of London’s real estate)
3% (a minimum of 3% more is how much people would be prepared to pay to be close to good open spaces) of £43,322,156,084 = £1,299,664,682
£1.3 billion = the value of untapped private investment that could be leveraged to improve open spaces if we had more suitable development models in place.
**London = West End, Midtown, City core and outer core, South Bank, Canary Wharf, Docklands
Source: Communities and Local Government Analysis of Valuation Office Agency figures — latest data available: 2008
***Cushman & Wakefield sub-prime markets data — average 2010 rental values
[i] Gardenvisit.com (2010):
The 1943/44 Abercrombie Plans, Tom Turner (MA, Dip LA, MLI), February 2010
[ii] CABE Urban Green Nation, Building the Evidence Base, March 2010
[iii] GLA Intelligence 2009 Round Demographic Projections for the London Plan, August 2010
About ULIThe Urban Land Institute is a non–profit research and education organisation supported by its members. Founded in Chicago in 1936, the institute now has over 30,000 members in 95 countries worldwide, representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines and working in private enterprise and public service. In Europe, ULI has over 2,000 members supported by a regional office in London and a small team in Frankfurt.
ULI brings together leaders with a common commitment to improving professional standards, seeking the best use of land and following excellent practices. By building and sustaining a diverse network of local experts, ULI is able to address the current and future challenges facing Europe’s cities.
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comJanuary 28th 2011
Lawrence Technological University Student Earns Internship and Academic ScholarshipNEW YORK — Gensler, a leading global architecture, design, planning and strategic consulting firm, announced the winner of the 2011 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship competition at
Contract magazine’s 32nd Annual Interiors Awards Breakfast in New York today. Keith Marks, a student in the architecture and interior design program at Lawrence Technological University in Michigan, received the academic scholarship and a summer 2011 internship with Gensler’s Denver office.
“Gensler places an emphasis on encouraging the professional development of the industry’s young architects and interior designers, and we are proud to support the next generation of talent through our annual Brinkmann scholarship program,” says Robin Klehr Avia, managing principal for Gensler’s Northeast region.
Marks’ submission was chosen from a myriad of applications received from top colleges and universities across the nation. His winning project is a design for a new Macy’s shoe store in New York’s Herald Square. Marks’ task was to create a fresh image and shoe buying experience for a younger demographic in the city. The design solution he proposed, based on the idea of a folded plane, generates space that engages the shoe in both a physical and aesthetic context.
“Winning the Brinkmann Scholarship has given me such a great opportunity to grow as a designer, and having the chance to able to work with such an exemplary firm firsthand will be an irreplaceable learning experience,” says Marks.
The Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 as a memorial to Donald G. Brinkmann, a gifted interior designer, inspirational leader and former partner at Gensler. The scholarship fund celebrates Brinkmann’s career-long commitment to nurturing new design talent by presenting outstanding interior design students with an internship and a financial award to be applied to their final year of school. Candidates for the scholarship must attend a CIDA-accredited school and are evaluated based upon their analysis and problem solving skills, design development, graphic presentation, communication skills and passion.
Contact:Lauren Davis
212.492.1529
lauren_davis@gensler.comJanuary 21st 2011
LONDON — International architecture, design and planning firm Gensler is delighted to announce that the London River Park concept, initiated by its London office, has picked up the awards for
Best Conceptual Project and the overall
Planning Excellence Award at the prestigious London Planning Awards, hosted by the Mayor of London.
Gensler’s vision to create and revitalise public space along the north shore of the River Thames, providing the first continuous riverwalk between Blackfriars and the Tower of London, was extremely well received by the judges, whilst the Mayor of London Boris Johnson called it an “ingenious proposal”.
On receiving the award, Chris Johnson, managing principal of Gensler’s London office, commented that: “In heavily built cities, the requirement for open space provision needs to be addressed seriously and why not creatively? As active players within the construction industry, it is our responsibility to show and drive the commitment to improve the quality of life in London. The London River Park will attract significant inward investment to the City and leave a lasting legacy of improvements to the river for future generations to enjoy.”
After its post-industrial decline, the Thames has witnessed a dramatic renaissance over the last 40 years, being repositioned as the most important artery running through London with increased public accessibility.
The London River Park seeks to activate the most underutilised stretch of the river frontage in central London with a design that endeavours to maintain the dramatic pace of regeneration, stimulated by the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge.
The floating City annexe will revitalise one of the most important historic river frontages adjacent to the City of London and provide an exceptional vantage point to explore London whilst acting as a theatre for a programme of changeable events, gardens and educational features.
The London River Park will create a truly innovative and memorable experience for both residents and tourists, located at the heart of the United Kingdom’s vibrant and evolving capital.
Notes to Editors• Further information on the London Planning Awards can be found at:
London First RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute)Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comNovember 18th 2010
Airport Aims to Inspire Travelers to Live More SustainablySAN FRANCISCO — In a press conference held today, San Francisco International Airport announced that the Gensler-designed renovation of the airport’s Terminal 2 (SFO T2) is the first LEED® Gold-registered airport terminal in the United States. Slated to open in April 2011, the 640,000-square-foot terminal will feature progressive sustainability measures that aim to inspire people to live more sustainably. The terminal will feature 14 gates serving Virgin America and American Airlines, and was built in a design-build partnership between Turner Construction and Gensler for the San Francisco International Airport. See the
SFO T2 Interactive Map (PDF).
"The new T2 demonstrates that sustainability is achievable on many levels — from reusing construction debris to rethinking water usage to public education," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. "Renovating SFO's T2 toward LEED Gold brought all of this together. It is an incredible achievement, and we are proud, once again, to be taking the lead on sustainable innovation."
Gensler’s design for SFO T2 will upend the generic placelessness of many airports by creating an authentic Bay Area experience within the terminal’s walls. The design will support the airport’s goal of zero waste, offer a sustainable education program, and encourage travelers and employees to participate in its sustainable programs. “The goal is to get people thinking about how they can get involved in promoting a more sustainable way of life, beyond the airport’s boundaries,” explains Gensler Design Director Steve Weindel.
SFO is the only U.S. airport that’s an accredited museum, and the design of T2 highlights unique art installations by world-renowned artists. In another nod to Bay Area culture, the terminal will offer locally sourced food and wine at its many restaurants and shops. By emphasizing sustainability, hospitality and Bay Area culture, the terminal will elevate the traveler experience and make it fun for travelers to spend time at the airport.
"SFO is setting new standards for sustainability and the traveler experience," said John L. Martin, director of San Francisco International Airport. "T2 has been built to accommodate today’s and tomorrow's modern traveler — and they expect sustainability, comfort and convenience. We have found a way to provide all of those elements here at SFO."
The terminal is designed to spark ideas about how people can live more sustainably, both while traveling and in everyday life:•
“Hydration Stations” will enable flyers to fill reusable water bottles once past security, reducing the significant volume of waste created by single-use water bottles. While native San Francisco travelers will soon adapt to this amenity, travelers from other cities will see these stations, triggering their awareness of the possibility of traveling with reusable water bottles.
•
Designed to be a teaching tool, creative signage engages travelers and educates T2’s more than 6 million visitors on the terminal’s sustainable features.
•
Dining: The terminal will feature local organic food vendors, offering wholesome food grown locally and prepared in a healthful manner.
•
Removing complexity: Three double-height, naturally illuminated spaces greet passengers, intuitively guiding them at key decision-making points, such as post-security, pre-baggage claim and the departure lounge. The natural daylight makes the terminal easier for travelers to navigate, creates a more healthy environment in which to travel, and helps save electricity used for lighting during the day.
Employees at SFO T2 will benefit from design elements that create a more sustainable and healthful workplace:•
Take a Deep Breath: SFO’s innovative displacement ventilation system will use filtered air to improve indoor air quality, while using 20 percent less energy. The effect will be a more healthy work environment for terminal employees.
•
Completing a Multi-Modal Hub: The renovation will connect T2 to the Bay Area Regional Transportation System (BART) via SFO’s AirTran people mover system, so that employees and passengers can travel between airport and the city on mass transit.
•
Abundant natural light: Skylights and clerestories bring daylight into the ticketing lobby and retail areas, providing a healthier working environment while significantly reducing electricity requirements during daylight hours.
•
Educating the workforce: In addition to the multiple education and signage programs throughout the terminal, airport employees will have access to composting guides at all waste stations that explain the airport’s compost program and show how employees can contribute to the airport’s zero-waste goal.
Designed with an eye to the way people travel today and will travel tomorrow, the terminal elevates the travel experience and makes it fun to spend time in the airport:•
With an emphasis on service, hospitality and comfort, design features such as a post-security area in which travelers can recompose after passing through security screening, a lounge in which people can await and greet arriving travelers, and hotel-inspired seating areas will afford travelers many options for how they spend their time in the airport.
•
Recompose: A unique area just past security will offer travelers a place to re-dress and recompose themselves after passing through security. Setting the tone for the T2 experience, this area features comfortable seating, abundant natural light, and a hanging installation entitled “Air Ocean” by New York artist Janet Echelman.
•
A "club room" feel to the departure lounge dining area and departure gates will include a variety of seating options and children’s play areas. Whether they are dining, shopping or enjoying an exhibit, passengers will be able to keep an eye on their gates from these areas.
•
Sit, lounge or work: Gates offer a variety of seating options including lounge furniture, work-oriented seating with power outlets, dining seating, and seating clusters that can accommodate small and large groups.
•
Laptop plug-in stations, elevated work counters and free wireless throughout the terminal accommodate business travelers.
•
Animating the baggage claim area, illuminated soffits above the bag belts are inspired by San Francisco’s distinctive cloud patterns. Designers re-imagined the baggage claim area as a hybrid piece of "kinetic art,” exposing how the device delivers bags to passengers as it also efficiently distributes conditioned air.
Links for Additional Information•
Project Story•
SFO T2 Interactive Map•
SFO T2 Website •
SFO T2 Design on Facebook •
Blog: “How an Airport Can Make the World a Greener Place” with interactive graphic links
About SFOSFO provides nonstop service to more than 65 US cities on 21 domestic airlines and to 32 international points on 27 international carriers. SFO offers twice as many non-stop flights to the New York area than all other Bay Area airports combined — making SFO the Bay Area’s Airport of Choice. SFO was voted “North America’s Best Airport” in 2008 by passengers for its outstanding customer service and amenities.
About TurnerTurner is the leading general builder in the U.S., ranking first or second in the major segments of the building construction field. During 2009, Turner completed $8.2 billion of construction. Turner is the only builder offering clients a nationwide network of offices across the U.S. Founded in 1902, the firm is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, a publicly traded company and one of the world’s leading international construction service providers. For more information, visit Turner’s
website.
About GenslerGensler is a global design, planning, and strategic consulting firm networked across 35 locations on five continents. Consistently ranked by U.S. and international industry surveys as the leading architecture and interior design firm, Gensler leverages its deep resources and diverse expertise to develop design solutions for industries across the globe. For its longstanding commitment to the advancement of sustainable design, Gensler received the Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2005. For more information, visit our website or
blog, follow us on
Twitter, or like us on
Facebook.
Contact:Leah Ray
o: 312.577.7118
c: 312.498.2591
leah_ray@gensler.com
November 5th 2010
LONDON —
Waitrose, one of the U.K.’s leading supermarkets, will cement its position as
the destination for food lovers by opening the U.K.’s first grocery store-owned cookery school on 8 November 2010, above the retailer’s Finchley Road store.
Gensler, the leading global architecture and design practice, were appointed by Waitrose to lead the concept development and interior design of all public facing areas of the 4,600-square-foot flagship location, working closely with CDS Wilman who provided the fit out of the cookery school.
While clearly part of the Waitrose brand, the school has been designed to present itself within a more familiar, domestic environment — ensuring a comfortable, inspirational experience for all its visitors, with cooking right at its heart.
The entire space has been designed to reflect the communal ambience of a kitchen table where Waitrose customers will be able to gather, communicate, taste and share a passion for food. The open-plan school features 12 kitchen stations, a demonstration theatre to seat 40 people, wine bar, dining area and a four-metre-long, floor-to-ceiling wine display.
The school’s strong contemporary feel uses neutral coloured materials and European Oak to warm the areas where visitors get closer to the brand, such as the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, reception and dining tables and product displays. Besides delivering a comprehensive timetable of classes, the cookery school will also be used for press launches, wine tasting and media events.
“Waitrose are creating a real hands-on experience for those who empathise with the brands passion for food,” describes Gensler design director
Owain Roberts. “Their aim is to empower customers with knowledge in an engaging environment, ultimately building a stronger relationship with the brand.”
Gensler also created the
cookery school’s identity and environmental graphic package. Designed to suggest the multi-layered, interactive activity of cooking, an illustrative collage of produce, utensils and kitchen equipment has been applied, at large scale, on signature walls throughout the school.
About CDSBased in Manchester, CDS Wilman are the U.K.'s leading foodservice design and fit out company, counting many major retailers among its list of long-established clients.
The company provides a total package of design, fit out and installation, working with the client to establish a detailed brief and provide an initial design concept prior to developing a detailed design. CDS will then build and fit out the facility and supply all elements of the concept including equipment, bars, furniture and tableware.
CDS operates in all areas of the market; not only on the high street, but in education, leisure, healthcare and military establishments; and its comprehensive, competitive and customer focussed range of services has resulted in continuous growth through referrals and recommendations from satisfied clients throughout the U.K.
Notes to EditorsHigh-resolution images available at:
ftp://externalftp.gensler.com/WaitroseUsername: LondonMedia
Password: Spanna1
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comOctober 15th 2010
WASHINGTON — On October 14, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) selected
L.A. LIVE as one of five outstanding developments to receive the
2010 Global Award for Excellence, which recognizes best practices around responsible land use and success in creating and sustaining thriving communities.
The L.A. LIVE project, a $2.5 billion sports, residential and entertainment district, adds more than 5 million square feet of performance venues, restaurants, broadcast studios, hotels and offices to downtown Los Angeles, Calif. This stunning achievement by a single developer culminates the decade-long effort by AEG and its partners to build on the crowd-drawing success of the STAPLES Center. Gensler was part of the design and construction team for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE tower.
This prestigious award highlights that the L.A. LIVE project is not only an aesthetic accomplishment and commercial success; it is also a symbol of urban redevelopment where commerce and community are celebrated in equal measure. Its exemplary accomplishments include:
• creating a diverse entertainment district and 24-hour destination that has
revitalized downtown Los Angeles
• providing essential hotel rooms to enhance competitiveness of the adjacent Los
Angeles Convention Center
• stimulating further private residential and commercial development in the
neighboring area
• implementing sustainability goals, creating a vibrant streetscape, utilizing transit
and establishing a model community benefits program
• fusing its density, content and urban location to build a successful economic
model based on sponsorship revenue.
For more information on this project, see
"Design Update: L.A. LIVE" (PDF), or visit our partners' websites:
AEGL.A. LIVEJW Marriott at L.A. LIVEThe Ritz-Carlton, Los AngelesThe Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVEUrban Land InstituteContact: Donna Taliercio
(202) 263-5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comOctober 1st 2010
A New Wave of Financial Powerhouses is Being Developed in Emerging Financial Markets, with Gensler at the Forefront of Designing These New DevelopmentsLONDON — Gensler, the global architecture design and planning firm, have won four new architectural commissions in Saudi Arabia’s five-million-square-metre, custom-built financial region in Riyadh, the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The firm’s wins follow in the successful footsteps of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and add to Gensler’s increasing portfolio of financial centres across the globe.
The commissions include: Parcel 1.14, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Bank Headquarters; Parcel 1.15, the World Trade Centre; Parcel 5.01, a mixed-use building; and Parcel 4.05, which will be a five-star hotel.
According to the
2010 Global Financial Centres Index, the historic financial centres in the West are rapidly being mirrored by new and purpose-built financial developments in expanding cities across the Middle and Far East. With a financial institution portfolio in almost every city listed in the
Index’ Top 20, Gensler’s work in emerging cities such as Abu Dhabi, Baku, Dubai, Shanghai, St. Petersburg and now Riyadh illustrates the report’s findings.
“Financial centre design for emerging markets is very different from that of historically known financial districts,” said Ian Mulcahey, Gensler principal and global head of planning and urban design. “They are often in cities with an underdeveloped service sector employment base, looking to provide accommodation for financial companies, and in many cases they need a comprehensively planned district which responds to that context.”
“One difference in these markets is climate,” said Duncan Swinhoe, Gensler principal on KAFD. “But a subtle and more important difference to the success of financial centres is an understanding of the unique business and cultural needs of the region’s occupiers, whether this be in the Far East or the Gulf.”
Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District typifies these contextual needs. In designing both the competition-winning World Trade Centre and the GCC Bank Headquarters, Gensler ensured it adopted a unified approach to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and traditions, coupled with state-of-the-art commercial architectural design.
World Trade Centre Size: 136,500 square metres; Height: 303 metres
Situated within the heart of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s new financial centre, the King Abdullah Financial District, Parcel 1.15 will be known as the KAFD World Trade Centre. Gensler were commissioned by the Riyadh Investment Company (owner) and Saudi Bin Laden Group (builder) after winning an international design competition for the design of the tower.
The World Trade Centre is scheduled for completion in November 2012. At more than 300 metres, it will occupy a significant corner site in KAFD’s Financial Plaza. Envisioned by Gensler as an iconic architectural landmark and gateway for international trade, the tower is differentiated by its positioning to attract small- to medium-sized tenants requiring the prestige and facilities normally associated with global headquarters.
Floor plate efficiency, building functionality, spatial quality and environmental responsibility all have influenced the building’s design in order to create a sustainable and flexible commercial office building tailored to supporting Riyadh’s growing business community. Organised around a ‘vertical wadi’, the tower accommodates more than 5,000 personnel, with 30 percent of the floor area providing amenity and business and support facilities.
Space highlights include four amenity levels centred on double-level lobbies/skywalks, five floors dedicated to supporting the occupants including retail, a food court, a business centre and lounges with 175-person auditorium, as well as an observation deck, and the KAFD World Trade Centre Club and Restaurant.
GCC Bank Headquarters Size: 124,792 square metres; Height: 254 metres
Also positioned at the heart of the KAFD district, Parcel 1.14 is a new headquarters building that will offer state-of-the-art office and amenity space. Intended to be the home for the newly formed GCC Bank, the tower’s timeless architectural design has been specifically tailored for occupation by the Gulf region’s governing financial institution.
Pivotal to the scheme’s architectural expression is its highly contextual response to environmental requirements. It is clad in a distinctive copper/stainless steel shell, which protects the interior working environment from intense solar gain, significantly reducing energy loads whilst creating an elegant aesthetic response.
The building’s functional and spatial arrangements have been carefully considered to support the business activities of its occupier. The floor plates have been refined to effectively support contemporary working practices creating dynamic, collaborative areas adjacent to the Financial Plaza with discrete space for focus work and framed views of Riyadh’s cityscape.
Space highlights include double-level lobby/skywalks, executive spaces at roof level with access to landscaped shaded roof terraces, three sky-lobbies and amenity floors easily reached from any of the tower’s 53 stories.
Notes to EditorsIan Mulcahey and Duncan Swinhoe will be speaking at
Cityscape Global’s World Architecture Conference, “Creating Tomorrow’s Sustainable Cities,” 4-6 October
High-resolution images available at:
ftp://externalftp.gensler.com/KAFDUsername: LondonMedia
Password: Spanna1
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.com May 17th 2010
University of Tennessee - Knoxville Student Receives Scholarship and Internship WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm, awarded its second annual Diversity Scholarship to Asia Dixon, a fourth-year undergraduate architecture student at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The Gensler Diversity Scholarship is a juried program that recognizes emerging talent in African-American college students enrolled in an accredited architecture program. As the winner, she will receive an academic scholarship as well as a full-time internship with Gensler.
Dixon was chosen from candidates around the country after a rigorous selection process. Each application was considered by a panel of jurors representing diverse aspects of the design profession. Dixon impressed the jury by telling a compelling and meaningful story behind her designs and conveying her unique design point of view.
“Asia clearly demonstrates talent and creativity,” said Carlos Martinez, a principal and design director at Gensler who served on the Diversity Scholarship jury. “Resourcefulness, collaboration, leadership and design passion were evident in every aspect of her submission and reinforced by her record of academic achievement.”
Dixon will begin her internship at Gensler’s Atlanta office this summer. “Receiving the 2010 Gensler Diversity Scholarship is a great honor,” said Dixon. “I’m extremely excited to have this unique opportunity to learn, grow and mature as a designer.”
Gensler’s Diversity Scholarship program reflects Gensler’s longstanding commitment to the recruitment and development of diverse emerging design talent and was founded to encourage a more robust dialogue between the architectural profession and African-American architecture students. Now in its second year, the program raises awareness of the architectural profession as a career choice and seeks to make design careers more accessible for African-American students. The program is a critical component of Gensler’s university and student outreach programs.
Contact:Donna Taliercio
202.263.5433
donna_taliercio@gensler.comApril 13th 2010
Downtown’s First High-Rise Development in More Than 20 Years, Three PNC Plaza Incorporates Luxury Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel, Condos, Office and Retail SpacePITTSBURGH — A gala celebration this past weekend marked the opening of the Fairmont Pittsburgh, a luxury hotel at Three PNC Plaza, a 750,000-square-foot, 23-story mixed-use development designed by Gensler that also includes offices for PNC and law firm Reed Smith, residential condominiums, ground-floor retail and below-grade parking. Located at the intersection of the commercial and cultural corridors of Fifth and Liberty and in close proximity to PNC Park, Three PNC Plaza will create around-the-clock activity, enhancing the vitality of the city’s urban core.
Expected to attain LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the project was planned with a comprehensive triple-bottom-line approach for optimal economic, environmental and community benefits. Every detail of the development — from its strategic location down to its furnishings — was designed by Gensler to support the overarching goal of creating a truly sustainable and vibrant urban development.
“We felt fortunate to have the key ingredients of a successful project: Both PNC and the Fairmont are industry leaders in terms of incorporating sustainability into their business models; and the city of Pittsburgh has long been recognized for its strategic reinvention,” said Doug Gensler, project director. “The end result is a model mixed-use, urban development that fosters the city’s smart, sustainable growth.”
Building Architecture Gensler visually differentiated disparate elements including hotel, condominiums, office and retail, via distinct façade materials, all of which are stitched into a balanced, single form. For example, crystal-clear glazing used for the condominiums creates a “jewel box” effect, distinguishing the residential units from the hotel and offices, which have enhanced energy-efficient low-E glazing that is identifiable by its green tint. At ground level, lobbies for the office, hotel and residential portions of the project are interconnected and open to the outside, fostering a vibrant streetscape.
Sustainable Design PNC opted to build in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh to enhance the city’s dense urban center, a sustainable move that enables the project to leverage existing infrastructure and minimize urban sprawl. Highlights of the LEED design include: high-performance glazing systems; natural light; high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems that enable the project to exceed national energy efficiency standards by 10-15 percent; reduced landfill waste due to salvaged or recycled construction waste; zero- or low-emitting materials in all interior spaces to improve air quality for occupants; dedicated outdoor air units that supply 100 percent outside air to hotel guest rooms; and aggressive water conservation tactics that will save an estimated 930,000 gallons per year in the hotel alone.
Hotel Interior Design In designing the Fairmont Hotel’s interiors, Gensler was guided by the theme “Art and Industry” with the goal of creating a locally authentic experience. Local steel and glass are featured throughout the hotel’s design, as well as in works by local artists including a dramatic ballroom chandelier and glass pendant fixtures in the lobby and bar. Artifacts from the 1800s discovered during building excavation were incorporated into the hotel’s design and are displayed in key locations throughout the hotel.
The hotel lobby features a dramatic high ceiling that ushers in abundant natural light, a sculptural front desk that echoes the angular quality of the building façade, and an asymmetrical grand staircase leading to the hotel restaurant. The restaurant’s wooden slat walls and a raw wood communal table speak to the hotel’s sustainability goals and inspired the restaurant’s name, Habitat.
Guest room color schemes are inspired by the rivers and bridges of Pittsburgh. Simple furniture contributes to a timeless aesthetic and a spacious feel; and thoughtfully designed details such as a dry bar compartment, separate bins for recycling, and bedside trays provide hotel guests comfortable and memorable experiences. All of the artwork in the rooms and suites are by local artists.
The design and construction team includes: Building Owner, PNC Financial Services; Development Manager, Oxford Development; Design Architect, Gensler; Interior Designer, Gensler; Architect of Record, Astorino (Shell + Core); Structural and MEP Engineer, Astorino; Sustainability Consultant, Paladino & Company; and Contractor, P.J. Dick.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476March 11th 2010
Topping-Off Ceremony Celebrates Completion of Steel Structure for Largest Professional Dance Facility in the United StatesHouston — On March 10, Houston Ballet held a topping-off ceremony for the new, Gensler-designed $53 million Center for Dance, set to open in spring 2011. The 115,000-square-foot, six-story center will be the largest professional dance facility constructed in the United States. The new structure is a fitting new home for the country’s fourth largest ballet company, boasting a critically acclaimed ensemble of 53 dancers.
“What a privilege it’s been to create the new home for the Houston Ballet, literally opening a window through the building’s design to let all of Houston see the beauty, talent and excitement of the Ballet,” said Arthur Gensler, chairman and firm founder. “We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful addition to downtown Houston and its Theatre District.”
The six-story building will host nine dance studios, a black box dance laboratory that seats 200 for presentations and rehearsals, as well as artistic, administrative and support facilities for Houston Ballet and its Ben Stevenson Academy. The new facility will more than double the space that Houston Ballet has at its current home in the River Oaks section of the city.
“The new Center for Dance represents a major leap forward for the academy and the company, allowing them to expand their education and dance programs,” said Jim Furr, FAIA, managing principal of Gensler’s South Central region. “We are so pleased to be a partner with Houston Ballet during this exciting time in their history.”
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(212) 468-4476February 12th 2010
Sustainable Skyscraper Is a 54-story Architectural Beacon and Long-Needed Anchor for Southwest Corner of DowntownLOS ANGELES — Gensler’s The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE, the first skyscraper built in downtown Los Angeles in two decades, opens February 16. A LEED-registered project pursuing Silver-level certification, the tower is a symbol of urban revitalization and provides long-awaited hospitality rooms to support the city’s convention industry.
“Gensler designed this tower to be a beacon for a rejuvenated Downtown, a destination for Angelenos and visitors from all over the world,” said Andy Cohen, executive director of Gensler and principal-in-charge of the project.
The building expands horizontally as it rises vertically, reflecting the varied products within. Each succeeding use — 22 JW Marriott, Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE floors at the bottom, followed by four floors of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Los Angeles and the Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE at the top — has larger space requirements. The building’s elegantly curving curtain wall smooths the jagged transition among the changing floor plates as they stack skyward.
Iconic Presence Cradled in the junction of two of the nation’s busiest interstates — the I-110 and I-10 freeways — The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott tower looks over L.A. LIVE, completing AEG’s sports, residential and entertainment district.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE represents close to half of the 5.6 million square feet in L.A. LIVE, a six-block pedestrian-oriented sports, residential and entertainment district that completes the promise of a center city sports and entertainment hub.
“The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences is not only a spectacular new addition to the downtown skyline but also a major contributor to our local economy,” Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. “It is a vibrant economic engine that has created thousands of jobs for local workers, is helping to inject life back into our urban downtown and is providing world-class amenities for a world class city.”
Seismic Innovation Saves Time and MoneyTo accommodate the needs of the client and Los Angeles’s strict seismic codes, Gensler and structural engineer Nabih Youssef & Associates devised an innovative performance-based design approach to the tower. By substituting steel plate shear walls for traditional concrete shear walls, the design team increased usable square footage inside the building and eliminated view-blocking perimeter moment frames.
The strategy saved millions of dollars in construction costs and shaved four months off the construction schedule. With a lighter building, the design team was able to add four stories and boost the overall project value by an estimated $8 million.
Final Piece of the PuzzleL.A. LIVE and its distinctive tower fill a long-standing void in the southwest corner of a downtown as bounded by the cornerstones of Disney Concert Hall (northwest), Los Angeles City Hall (northeast) and the financial, garment and jewelry districts (southeast).
The JW Marriott’s three-story lobby is a pass-through space that provides access from Olympic Boulevard to Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE. The lobby is the urban connection between Downtown and L.A. LIVE, STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The building features two outdoor decks with pools, bars and events facilities. The fourth-floor deck, with a 1,000-person capacity and views to Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, is for guests of the JW Marriott hotel. The 26th floor deck, reserved for guests of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the condominiums, offers exclusive views of the downtown skyline and Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE below, and is destined to become a new locus for L.A. nightlife.
The hotel’s 80,000-square-foot conference center, connected to the tower by a skywalk, includes a 26,000-square-foot ballroom. The project provides needed conference and exhibition space, as well as accommodations for visitors and locals.
Skin and Sustainable StrategiesA common approach when designing mixed-use towers is to clad them in reflective glass that uniformly masks interior activity. Gensler’s design team chose instead to create a building skin of varying glass types, sizes and colors that is at once artistic and utilitarian.
“The facade unifies the different hotel and residential uses and creatively maximizes energy performance,” said Kap Malik, project designer for Gensler. “By utilizing different glass types — varied in color, transparency, reflectivity and ceramic frit pattern — the façade has maximum transparency and minimal heat gain.”
The skin is just one of many sustainable strategies employed at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE. Gensler’s project team and contractor Webcor Builders controlled construction waste through the use of an innovative steel shear plate structural system that greatly reduced building materials versus a traditional concrete structure. Other sustainable features of the project are water-efficient fixtures, landscaping, and solar-reflecting surfaces on roofs, paving and landscaping to reduce heat island effect.
About GenslerGensler is a global design, planning, and strategic consulting firm with professionals networked across 33 locations on five continents. Consistently ranked by U.S. and international industry surveys as the leading architecture and interior design firm, Gensler leverages its deep resources and diverse expertise to develop design solutions for industries across the globe. For its longstanding commitment to sustainable design, Gensler received the inaugural Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2006. In Los Angeles, Gensler recently completed 2000 Avenue of the Stars, an 800,000-square foot building in Century City that is home to Creative Artists Agency. Current projects include the Port of Long Beach Administration Building, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in Beverly Hills, and Campus at Playa Vista in West Los Angeles.
About L.A. LIVEL.A. LIVE is a 5.6-million-square-foot sports and entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles. The mixed-used development covers 27 acres and six city blocks. Leveraging the tremendous success of STAPLES Center, L.A. LIVE expands the entertainment content in downtown Los Angeles’ South Park district with complimenting venues, fully functioning broadcast studios, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, bowling lanes, music clubs and an innovative music museum. L.A. LIVE is the leading entertainment destination for all of Los Angeles and the event capitol of the world hosting the GRAMMYs, EMMYs, American Music Awards, ESPYs, American Idol Finals and hundreds of other events.
About AEGAEG is a leading international sports and entertainment presenter. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center (Los Angeles), sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS), management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers; AEG Facilities, a stand-alone affiliate that operates or consults with more than 60 of the industries preeminent venues worldwide; AEG Marketing, a sponsorship, sales and consulting company; AEG Merchandising, a multi-faceted merchandising company; and AEG Creative, a full-service marketing and advertising agency.
In addition, AEG developed and operates The Home Depot Center, a $150 million national training center located on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Events such as the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race and the LA Women’s Tennis Championships WTA tennis tournament as well as an ongoing schedule of soccer exhibitions in the United States featuring the most popular international teams are part of the portfolio of AEG Sports.
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(212) 468-4476January 29th 2010
George Washington University Student Earns Internship and Academic ScholarshipNEW YORK — Gensler, a leading global architecture, design, planning, and strategic consulting firm, announced the winner of the 2010 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship competition at
Contract magazine’s 31st Annual Interiors Awards Breakfast in New York City today. Stephen Ramos, a student in the interior design program at The George Washington University, received the academic scholarship and a summer 2010 internship with Gensler in the Washington, D.C. office.
“It is imperative to encourage the professional development of young talent in the industry, and we are proud to support the next generation of architects and designers through our annual Brinkmann scholarship program,” says Robin Klehr Avia, managing principal in Gensler’s New York office.
Ramos’ submission was chosen from a myriad of applications received from top colleges and universities across the nation. His winning project, titled “LOL: A Txting Lounge,” showcases an in-depth analysis of a selected piece of furniture. Asked to deconstruct an object and incorporate the basic elements of it to create a space, Ramos used Eero Saarinen’s Womb Chair and developed a texting lounge to be placed in an airport terminal setting.
“As Gensler’s work integrates a broad spectrum of expertise, I look forward to this wonderful opportunity to broaden my vision and integrate my own, engineering, graphic and interior design skill sets,” says Ramos.
The Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 as a memorial to Donald G. Brinkmann, a gifted interior designer, inspirational leader and former partner at Gensler. The scholarship fund celebrates Brinkmann’s career-long commitment to nurturing new design talent by presenting outstanding interior design students with an internship and a financial award to be applied to their final year of school. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the scholarship competition. Candidates for the scholarship must attend a CIDA-accredited school and are evaluated based upon their analysis and problem solving skills, design development, graphic presentation, communication skills and passion.
Contact:Lauren Davis
212.492.1529
lauren_davis@gensler.com December 15th 2009
Download "Creating CityCenter" (PDF), the Story of Design LeadershipGensler Brings MGM MIRAGE “City-Within-A-City” Vision to LifeLAS VEGAS — Gensler, selected by MGM MIRAGE as the Executive Architect of CityCenter, led the design team in delivering this 18-million-square-foot, city-scaled mixed use development, from concept to completion in just five short years. The largest single development project in the world, CityCenter is an unprecedented achievement.
Gensler used its deep resources and innovative project delivery approaches to work with every element of the CityCenter team to complete the massive project — equivalent to 12 midtown Manhattan blocks — and create the world’s largest sustainably designed development.
Gensler’s role leading the project’s seven design architects and hundreds of consultants is unique in large-scale development and sets a new standard for delivering complicated programs within compressed timeframes.
“This is the future of Las Vegas — CityCenter is in an entirely new category,” says Bobby Baldwin, President and CEO, CityCenter. “To achieve what we wanted, in the time span we wanted, we knew we’d have to bring on a single firm with unparalleled visionary talent that could undertake such an extraordinary effort. Gensler stepped up to that challenge, and CityCenter is a testament to that.”
DESIGN LEADERSHIP To realize the vision for a world-class entertainment, leisure and living destination, MGM MIRAGE and Gensler assembled a dream team of world-renowned architects, engineers and specialty designers. Meeting the targeted December 2009 opening date meant organizing the work in a streamlined and collaborative process. To spur collaboration and innovation, Gensler directed a seven-week visioning charrette, an intensive shared design process, to create synergy among the design architects. This effort established key goals and methods for designing the project’s multiple buildings and accelerated design to achieve the aggressive construction schedule.
SCHEDULE COMPRESSION MGM MIRAGE recognized the traditional process for project delivery would not suffice given the highly condensed timetable. In order to open on schedule, MGM MIRAGE challenged Gensler with establishing and facilitating an innovative, workable delivery process within the allotted timeframe.
Gensler quickly assembled a team of its experts from across the firm to devise a delivery methodology that would break down the scale of this massive effort, organize teams for maximum efficiency, create a common set of principles and guidelines, and establish effective communications across the entire project team. All design and documentation activities had to run in parallel and at a fast-track pace without sacrificing MGM MIRAGE’S project vision.
To create a 67-acre built environment that comprises four separate hotels, a retail and entertainment district, and residential towers, Gensler worked with the MGM MIRAGE Design Group (MMDG) to develop documentation approaches that allowed certain building elements to commence early construction starts while others continued in design. In addition to redefining and reinventing the design and delivery process, Gensler was responsible for organizing and educating consultant teams on how building components could be designed and documented to meet CityCenter’s rigorous schedule and deliverable requirements.
“CityCenter is the design equivalent of the Japanese game of
Go, only in three dimensions,” says J.F. Finn, Gensler principal and CityCenter Project Executive. “With all the components running in parallel, one modification could trigger dozens of impacts that had to be addressed and resolved.”
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN Gensler also helped spearhead sustainability efforts at CityCenter, taking MGM MIRAGE’s commitment to sustainability and LEED-certification goals, and crafting the strategies and road map for achievement. Gensler then led a world-class team of sustainability consultants to generate the best practices that have garnered six LEED Gold certifications for the various project components, making it the world’s largest commercial “green” development.
Gensler leveraged 12 of the firm’s offices to work on CityCenter. In addition to its design leadership role, the firm also was responsible for the design of the project’s common areas, signage/wayfinding, much of CityCenter’s branding and marketing collateral, and the design of the Automated People Mover, CityCenter’s self-contained transit system that links the project to the neighboring Monte Carlo and Bellagio Resorts.
“CityCenter is the best example anywhere of a collaborative design process,” says Art Gensler, founder and Chairman, Gensler. “We were involved in virtually every aspect of this project and interfaced with every member of this massive project team — from the developers, construction teams, engineers, designers, and of course MGM MIRAGE and its in-house design team. The end result is a true testament to both the talent and the process.”
CityCenter provides Las Vegas with a new urban core and global destination — a city-scale development that is greater than any of its distinctive parts, yet timeless and authentic in its design. It is a true reflection of the talent and commitment of a diverse design team with a cohesive vision.
About CityCenterCityCenter (
www.citycenter.com) is an unprecedented urban metropolis opening in December 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo Resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World.
CityCenter features ARIA Resort & Casino, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort with 150,000 square feet of gaming space; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers boast approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature Viva ELVIS™ by Cirque du Soleil® celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners, Studio Daniel Libeskind, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, the 18-million-square-foot metropolis is one of the world’s largest green communities.
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(212) 468-4476December 3rd 2009
LONDON — Having secured interest from leading international retail brands, Phase III of The Avenues, Kuwait’s largest shopping destination, is underway. Designed by the London and Los Angeles offices of Gensler with Kuwaiti developers Mabanee, Phase III will consist of more than 86,000 square meters of retail space when completed in early 2012.
Located in the Al Rai district of Kuwait City, the development will introduce six shopping experiences (The Mall, Grand Avenue, SoKu, The Bazaar, Luxury Mall and The Souk), each with its own character. Design inspiration is drawn from leading retail districts around the world.
Once complete, the third phase will house 545 retail units in total, including 52 food and beverage outlets. The mall is attracting interest from leading international brands, including Harvey Nichols, which has already agreed to terms.
“The Avenues is the region’s premier shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destination, and Phase III will elevate this offering, positioning it as a world-class retail shopping destination,” said Chris Johnson, managing principal of Gensler London. “Truly a retail evolution, The Avenues completely redefines the shopping experience for the consumer; it is as much about placemaking as it is retail design.
“The scheme references the great cityscapes and retail locations around the world. These cities emanate vibrancy, character and a diverse range of retail offerings and experiences, qualities the Phase III design emulates.”
Located close to the centre of Kuwait City, The Avenues has set a benchmark for high-end retail in the region. Phase I of the development opened in 2007 and houses more than 230 retail units, including an IKEA showroom, Banana Republic, Gap, H&M and Zara. Phase II opened in 2008, offering more than 200 luxury shops, a large food court and outdoor dining venues.
As well as being appointed lead architects on the project, Gensler’s design teams are responsible for delivering the interior design, wayfinding and marketing materials.
“With the success of the initial two phases of The Avenues, seeing them quickly established as the premier shopping and leisure destination within Kuwait, we were looking to adopt a different design approach for the latest extension,” said Mohammed Alshaya, chairman of Mabanee Co. SAK, the owners and developers of The Avenues Mall.
“The pedigree of Gensler, in providing world-class architectural designs, naturally made them the perfect partner for Mabanee as we strive to create another exciting chapter in the continued development of The Avenues. The start of the construction is another milestone for our company, and we look forward to our opening in 2012, offering the population of Kuwait a new and dynamic experience.”
Phase III retail areas include:
The Mall links Phase III to the existing centre and will provide the widest selection of fashion trends. Within The Mall there will be the Gold Souk, 134 units stocking jewellery of all descriptions.
The Grand Avenue, like SoKu and The Souk, is designed to feel like an outdoor space. It takes inspiration from tree-lined boulevards and major retail centres across the world. The retail façades are a mix of European, regional and contemporary styles, whilst the transparent roof enables natural light to penetrate the space.
SoKu, an acronym for South of Kuwait, references New York’s bohemian Soho district. Restaurants, cafés and bistros will attract Kuwait’s younger, trendier crowd. The edgy city architecture captures the ‘street savvy’ vibe.
The Bazaar draws inspiration from the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul and will house 34 units below ground.
Luxury Mall will house up to 70 high-end brands, including two anchor tenants, as well as 16 food and beverage units, in deluxe surroundings. This will be the ultimate shopping experience including valet parking and hands-free shopping. The focal point of which will be a 21-meter high central dome.
The Souk provides space for small start-up retailers. Modelled on the customary Kuwaiti Souk, this district is an interpretation of traditional regional retail architecture, including narrow streets.
About The Avenues & MabaneeThe Avenues, Kuwait’s largest mall and one of the Middle East’s premier retail and leisure destinations, officially opened its first phase, set over 124,882 square meters, in April 2007. The second phase was launched in 2008 and added an additional 41,243 square meters. It is located in Kuwait’s bustling Al Rai district and houses some of the world’s best known brands.
Mabanee is a Kuwaiti shareholding company with capital of 46 million Kuwaiti dinars. It has been listed under the real estate sector on the Kuwait Stock Exchange since 1999. Mabanee is owned by a prestigious list of Kuwait's top institutions and high net worth individuals currently exceeding 2,500 shareholders. The company operates under three main business lines: real estate, investment and construction.
www.the-avenues.comwww.mabanee.comContact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comAugust 25th 2009
Gensler’s London Office Achieves First LEED CI Silver Certification in LondonLONDON — Gensler, the leading global architecture, design and planning firm has earned a LEED CI Silver certification for the fit out of its London office — the first LEED Commercial Interiors certified workspace within the United Kingdom.
Having made the decision to move its entire London staff onto a single 25,000-square-foot floor plate in Aldgate House in London’s “Square Mile,” one of the key elements of the design brief was to ensure that the space met the high environmental design standards required by all Gensler projects.
Completed in December 2008, the project included the incorporation of an open-plan layout ensuring quick team reconfigurations to facilitate client and project needs, as well as an array of breakout and conferencing space to create a more collaborative work culture.
The design affords all staff highly beneficial views to natural daylight, and this, coupled with extremely efficient lighting features such as motion sensors in all spaces, has had a significant impact on the office’s energy usage. Other environmental design features particularly valuable in the course of achieving LEED certification include: the use of low VOC paints and carpets; a light-reflective colour palette; low-flow/dual-flush water fixtures; specification of FSC certified wood; and exclusive use of Energy Star office equipment. As a result of these measures, the office has seen an 80 percent reduction in energy consumption.
Partnering with like-minded organisations to achieve a comprehensive sustainable outcome was also an imperative for Gensler. Contractors such as ISG where chosen for the project due to their sustainability credentials — in this case high on the agenda was the recycling of construction waste — as well as knowledge of the LEED certification process.
“Gensler is extremely proud to have received another accolade for its environmental investment,” said Abby DeWolfe, Gensler associate and the London office’s co-sustainable task force leader. “Sustainable design has a deep-rooted heritage within Gensler, having been a company standard since its inception more than 40 years ago. With more than a third of Gensler offices now LEED-certified, nearly half our workforce LEED-accredited, and approximately 300 active LEED projects currently on the boards, Gensler is extremely committed to ensuring that environmental and sustainable aspects are intuitive within each of our designs.”
“LEED-certified space accounts for just a fraction of the enormous commercial real estate sector in the UK, unlike in the US where it is an industry standard. As a multidisciplinary practice with a global remit, the flexibility, international recognition, and the fact that LEED covers both base build and interiors provides a comprehensive return on investment,” DeWolfe said.
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.com July 27th 2009
NEW YORK — Gensler, the global architecture, design, and planning firm, has been selected as one of eight finalists in the Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom. Gensler partnered with The Future Leaders Institute (FLI), a public charter school in Harlem, New York, to create a flexible, student-centric, sustainable, and modern learning environment in response to the competition mandate: Collaborate with real students in real schools in their community to develop real solutions.
“The need for safe, sustainable, smart classroom design has never been greater,” said Cameron Sinclair, co-founder, Architecture for Humanity. “Tens of millions of crumbling facilities are in urgent need of upgrading, and Gensler’s design for the FLI in Harlem presents an exciting model for existing urban schools.”
Coined the “Blurred Classroom,” Gensler’s concept blurs the lines of the traditional classroom, deconstructing the four-walled box into a series of flexible and overlapping spaces.
“Taking into account a variety of learning and teaching styles, FLI’s existing culture, and the larger social needs of these particular students, we worked to design a dynamic environment that actually helps kids learn,” said Ralph Walker, Gensler’s team leader.
Although located in a dense urban neighborhood, Gensler’s design features a large landscaped roof garden and classroom balconies with vegetable gardens to make the outdoor environment a major part of the children’s everyday experience. Open views in and out serve to connect the school with the surrounding neighborhood.
“Going through this process with Gensler showed us that it is possible to revolutionize the way we engage with our students by changing our school environment in keeping with our ideals of holistic education,” said Peter Anderson, head of school, Future Leaders Institute.
The 2009 Open Architecture Challenge is hosted by Architecture for Humanity and principal partner Orient Global in collaboration with a consortium of other partners around the world. More than 1,000 design teams from 65 countries registered for the competition. Eight finalists, including Gensler, were selected by a team of 60 interdisciplinary jurors. Each design was rated on feasibility, sustainability, innovation in learning and overall design quality. The winner will be announced early September, with the winning school receiving up to $50,000 to build or improve its classrooms and the design team receiving a $5,000 grant to help them realize their design.
Architecture for Humanity presented Gensler’s entry along with the other finalists to White House Officials and Michelle Obama on July 24. An upcoming travelling exhibit will feature more than 50 of the best entries, three of which were submitted by Gensler teams.
After Ed TV joined the Gensler team to film its design process. View a short documentary here:
http://www.gensler.com/#viewpoint/videos/22RELATED LINKSThe Blurred Classroom:
http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/3973Open Architecture Network:
http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/competitions/challenge/2009
Architecture for Humanity:
http://www.architectureforhumanity.orgFuture Leaders Institute:
http://www.futureleadersinstitute.org/After Ed TV:
http://aftered.tv/index.php?q=node/351
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476July 14th 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Gensler, the global architecture, design, and planning firm, today celebrates the opening of the first six gates of the Terminal B Concourse at Mineta San Jose International Airport. With a bold architectural design that expresses the innovative spirit of the Silicon Valley region, the 380,000-square-foot, $342 million concourse is the first element of the airport’s extensive $1.3 billion modernization program, and will ultimately integrate with the new Terminal B opening summer 2010.
Gensler, in collaboration with Steinberg Architects, served as master design architect for the airport, and created a striking design that evokes the high-tech landscape of the Silicon Valley while celebrating the area’s sunny climate and agrarian roots. Inside, the concourse has the feel of a sunlit paseo, with a dramatic curved translucent roof featuring fabric panels to filter the direct sunlight and absorb sound. On the exterior, the long and cable-like outer layer expresses the area’s technological design heritage while shading the inner core of the building.
“In the Terminal B Concourse, we wanted to express the region’s leadership in technology and innovation, and also establish a signature identity for the airport and the city of San Jose,” said Steve Weindel, a principal at Gensler and project designer. “The indoor-outdoor architecture captures the San Jose lifestyle, and will give travelers a tangible sense of the region, even while they’re inside the airport.”
Floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the concourse with natural light. Flight gates are located close to shopping areas so travelers won’t feel rushed and can enjoy locally prepared foods at a variety of eateries. At 1,600 feet long and 90 feet wide, the building is 380,000 square feet, with 29,000 square feet of space reserved for retail and concession areas and 10 gates. The initial gates will serve Southwest Airlines. There will be 12 gates total when Terminal B and the concourse are fully integrated by next summer.
Gensler is committed to energy-efficient, sustainable architecture, and the Terminal B Concourse is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification standards. It boasts many sustainable design features, including aggressive daylight harvesting and an efficient displacement ventilation system. San Jose has more than 325 days of sunshine a year, so the outer layer of the exterior acts as a shading device, protecting the inner core of the building and helping it perform more efficiently.
The concourse design team includes Gensler and Steinberg Architects, master architects; Clark Construction, general contractor; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, structural engineer; Flack & Kurtz and Alpha Tech, MEP; URS, civil engineer; and Gilbane Building Company, construction management.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476June 30th 2009
LONDON — International architecture, design and planning firm Gensler is delighted to announce the official opening of its Abu Dhabi office.
The firm’s foothold in the Middle East has been long established through key architectural business commitments that had been channeled directly through Gensler’s London and Dubai offices.
“With projects in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia, amongst others, the opening of Gensler Abu Dhabi not only extends the practice’s global design and business capabilities, it cements our longstanding relationship and commitment to the region,” said Chris Johnson, managing principal for Gensler EMEA.
The strategic decision to broaden Gensler’s geographic remit follows a decade of highly successful, high-profile projects in the Gulf, from master planning projects, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Saadiyat Island, through to the architectural designs of iconic buildings, such as The Gate, Tameer Towers and the soon-to-be-completed Ritz-Carlton, Dubai. The multi-disciplined design practice has also completed extensive commercial interiors projects, such as the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
The office opens following the January announcement of the appointment of Tareq Abu-Sukheila as general manager of the UAE offices.
Notes to Editors: • Interviews and photography available upon request
• For further information on the region, please contact:
Tareq Abu–Sukheila, tareq_abu-sukheila@gensler.com, +971.2.635.9100
Gensler Abu Dhabi
Al Buteen Tower C6
Office C503
Binunah Street No. 34
PO Box 26967
Abu Dhabi
UAE
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comJune 29th 2009
New York City High School Student Receives Academic Scholarship and InternshipWASHINGTON, D.C. — Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm, announced Stephanie Yeung as the winner of its first-ever ACE scholarship. The award is a pilot scholarship presented in partnership with the ACE Mentor Program, which serves high school youth exploring careers in architecture, construction, or engineering (ACE). The scholarship awards Ms. Young, a senior at Brooklyn Technical High School, an academic scholarship and internship with Gensler.
The ACE Mentor Program gives design and construction professionals the opportunity to reach out to interested high school students and encourage them, through mentoring and scholarships, to pursue careers in architecture, construction and engineering. Gensler has been involved in the ACE Mentor Program for more than 10 years and created its ACE scholarship in order to recognize and link outstanding young talent with the professional design community.
“Gensler has always taken pride in fostering the professional development of emerging talent in the design industry and is thrilled to be able to continue in this tradition through the ACE scholarship program,” says Managing Principal Robin Klehr Avia, FIIDA.
Gensler received applications from highly talented applicants and narrowed the pool through a rigorous review process. “Stephanie was selected as the winner based on her awareness of sustainable design and by employing a multidisciplinary understanding and approach to her submission,” says Brian Berry, a Gensler principal and member of the scholarship jury panel.
“Winning this scholarship not only supports my decision to pursue a career in architecture, but allows me the chance to gain valuable, practical experience through an internship with a firm that has a global and sustainable perspective,” says Stephanie.
Eligibility for the ACE scholarship required students to be full participants of the ACE Mentor Program in the New York City, Newark, New Jersey or Boston ACE affiliates and enrolled as full-time student in an accredited design program for the fall of 2009.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476April 28th 2009
First-Prize Winner Receives Scholarship and Coveted InternshipWashington, D.C. — Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm, announced the winners of its first-ever Gensler African-American Internship & Scholarship (GAAINS), a program that recognizes the top emerging talent amongst African-American college students enrolled in NAAB-accredited architecture programs. Rachele Louis, a fourth-year architecture student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was awarded a first prize academic scholarship and internship; and Anne-Marie Armstrong, a second-year M.Arch candidate at Yale School of Architecture, was awarded a second prize academic scholarship.
“The GAAINS scholarship not only allows me the ability to further my architectural educational pursuits, but I’ll have the opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable design with advanced architectural technologies as an intern with a leading firm,” says Louis.
Through a rigorous selection process by a hand-selected panel of seven jurors, Louis was selected as the winning candidate based on a submission that showcased clarity of ideas within both design and analytical realms. In addition to a deep understanding of complex program structures, Louis' submission demonstrates a highly sophisticated architectural character that expresses cultural sensitivity as it integrates with the urban fabric.
“GAAINS is a valuable program to both Gensler and the broader student community; it furthers our position with the student dialogue by promoting innovation, thought leadership and design excellence,” says Blake Mourer, senior associate and design director at Gensler and one of seven members of the GAAINS jury.
The GAAINS scholarship is a reflection of Gensler’s longstanding commitment to the recruitment and development of diverse emerging talent and was founded to encourage a more robust dialogue between the architectural industry and African-American architecture students. In its first year, the program aims to raise awareness about the architectural profession as a career choice, as well as create greater accessibility for this student population. GAAINS is a critical component of Gensler’s university and student-outreach programs.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476March 6th 2009
Gensler and Buro Happold Announce “San Jose: The Livable City”
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA — Gensler, the global architecture, design and planning firm, announced a public conference on sustainable development to be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Thursday, March 26, 2009. “San Jose: The Livable City,” will feature presentations by experts in multiple fields that focus on the sustainable growth of San Jose, the nation’s capital with a population of 1.8 million people. At this forum, a new vision for a proposed urban transit system will be presented publicly for the first time. Organized by Gensler and the international engineering firm Buro Happold, “San Jose: The Livable City” is free and open to the public.
For more information or to RSVP for the conference, please go to: www.CiudadHabitable.com
“The goal of the conference is to create a dialogue between decision makers, key local stakeholders, and those responsible for delivery,” said Joseph Brancato, Managing Principal at Gensler and one of the speakers at the conference, “We hope to provide not only a context but also a vision for the planning of strategic infrastructure in San Jose.” Other participants include Karla Gonzalez Carvajal, Costa Rica’s Minister of Transportation; Eduardo Brenes, Regional Planner for PRUGAM*; Juan Sauma, TREM* Project Manager for CNC/MOPT*; Manrique Arguedas of Earth University; and Aris Stamatiadis from Colliers International. The conference will be held at the Gran Hotel and the historic National Theater in the heart of San José. Program sponsors include: MOPT, CNC, Alumimundo, EARTH University, Grupo Roble, Colliers International and Habitat Soluciones.
Costa Rica has undergone impressive growth and transformation over the last decade, receiving accolades from the international community for its commitment to sustainability, especially in the areas of habitat preservation and eco-tourism. This conference turns the spotlight on the nation’s capital and how the principles of sustainable urban development should frame the long-term growth of the city. Critical to San Jose’s quality of life is the proposed new urban transit system, or TREM.
The daytime portion of the conference will include presentations from both Gensler and Buro Happold and a panel discussion featuring a variety of perspectives from the national government, academia and the private sector. Following the panel, the audience will be invited to participate in small workshops on specific topics including the transit system, land planning, sustainability frameworks and implementation. The findings of the workshop sessions will be presented at a general session that evening in the National Theater. Presentations will include Spanish-English translation.
The conference is the culmination of a year-long “Gensler University” class, a program sponsored by Gensler which identifies future leaders in the firm and asks them to apply their skill sets in an intensive think-tank environment. This year’s class of 10 planners, urban designers and architects chose the challenge of developing a vision for sustainable mass transit for the greater metropolitan area of San Jose, where Gensler has an office. The class partnered with 10 engineers and transit specialists from Buro Happold, and the resulting research and concept is being offered to the people of Costa Rica as pro-bono work.
*PRUGAM – Proyecto Regional Urbano de la Gran Area Metropolitana
*CNC – Consejo Nacional de Concesiones
*MOPT – Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes
*TREM – Tren Eléctrico Metropolitano
*EARTH – Escuela de Agronomía de la Región Trópico Húmedo
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476
February 2nd 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — Gensler announces the appointment of 13 new principals. Promotions are made on an annual basis in recognition of leadership, innovation and client service. Gensler’s new principals have consistently raised the bar for design excellence while exhibiting integrity and a collaborative spirit. They will be tasked with leading the firm in strategic business initiatives while elevating design process and performance throughout the organization. This year Gensler also appointed 53 senior associates and 149 associates across 31 offices worldwide.
The new Gensler principals (with home office) are:
Reja Bakh, ShanghaiReja Bakh is a design director in Gensler’s Shanghai office. He has completed projects in countries such as Italy, Germany, India and China, which range from small-scale product design to a 6,000,000-square-foot headquarters campus for one of China’s top 10 largest companies. Some notable projects include COSL Production Park and Shengxian Resort & Hotel. Bakh holds a bachelor of architecture from the Pratt Institute and a master of architecture from Cornell University.
David Botello, AIA, DallasDavid Botello serves as studio director for the Workplace, Commercial Office Buildings, and Education practices in Gensler’s Dallas office. His significant projects include Hines’ office tower in Dallas, Mary Kay, Inc. corporate headquarters in Shanghai and the SPCA of Texas workplace in Dallas. Botello holds a bachelor of architecture from University of Texas, Arlington.
Alan Colyer, ASLA, Houston Alan Colyer is the director of Planning and Urban Design for Gensler’s South Central Region. He is a frequent lecturer for the Urban Land Institute and Society for College and University Planning. Colyer holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Texas A&M University. He was the recipient of the school’s 2003 Outstanding Alumni Award and currently serves on their College of Architecture Executive Advisory Board.
Beth Harmon-Vaughan, AIA, FIIDA, LEED®
AP, PhoenixBeth Harmon-Vaughan serves as office director in Gensler’s Phoenix office. Noteworthy projects include the Arizona Public Service DVO Building, Banner Health Office and Primary Data Center and the Phoenix Convention Center. She holds a bachelor of arts and science from the University of Missouri at Columbia, and master’s degrees in marketing and business management from Webster University. Harmon-Vaughan is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Arizona State University College of Design.
Leslie Jabs, AIA, New YorkLeslie Jabs leads Gensler’s Northeast Regional Commercial Office Buildings practice, as well as the New York office’s Hospitality practice. Significant projects include the InterContinental Hotel and 1095 Avenue of the Americas in New York City. She holds a bachelor of science from the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture.
Xiaomei Lee, ShanghaiXiaomei Lee is a senior project manager with Gensler’s Commercial Office Buildings practice in the Shanghai office. She is also a member of the firm’s project management steering committee. Important projects include Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Information Center, JW Marriott Hotel in Shenzhen and the Wan Chuan International Center. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree from Hefei University of Technology and a master’s degree in architectural engineering from Tongji University.
Irwin Miller, Los AngelesIrwin Miller is an architectural designer in the Mixed Use/Entertainment practice in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. He serves on the firm’s Retail taskforce and the Southwest Regional Learning Council. Noteworthy projects include The Sales Office for MGM Mirage CityCenter in Las Vegas, The Nomadic Museum in Santa Monica and Majestic Cruises flagship vessel based in Curacao. Miller holds a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a masters of architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Joan Price, San FranciscoJoan Price is a member of the Consulting practice in Gensler’s San Francisco office and is the Northwest Regional Director of Global Accounts. She leads accounts such as Visa International, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard and Apple. Price was named CoreNet Real Estate Provider of the Year in 2008. She attended St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and Hunter College in New York City.
Dee Rendleman, CPA, Washington, D.C.Dee Rendleman is the Finance Director and Regional Operating Officer for Gensler’s Southeast Region. A certified public accountant for more than 15 years, Rendleman is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Maryland Society of Accountants, the National Contract Managers Association, the Coalition of Government Contractors and an Allied member of the AIA. Rendleman holds a bachelor of science in accounting from Ball State University.
Theresa Sheils, AIA, LEED®
AP, Washington, D.C.Theresa Sheils serves as studio director and project manager in the Commercial Office Buildings practice in Gensler’s Washington DC office. She is also a member of Gensler’s Southeast Regional project manager leadership taskforce. Her projects include Gaylord National Harbor Hotel & Convention Center, Washington Gateway, ISC/NASCAR Headquarters, NetJets and PNC Place. Sheils holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Catholic University of America.
Eric Stultz, AIA, Los AngelesEric Stultz is as a design director for the Commercial Office Buildings practice in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. Stultz also leads the office’s Digital Design taskforce. He has worked on a broad range of building types during his career such as Culver Studios Building J, the Campus at Playa Vista, Louisville International Airport Renovation and the Russell Federal Building. Stultz holds a bachelor of architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture.
Leda Woods, NCIDQ, ChicagoLeda Woods is a Workplace practice leader in Gensler’s Chicago office with extensive experience working on complex, multi-phased headquarters projects with diverse teams. She also has vast expertise with media, publishing and consumer products clients. Woods manages the design of several important projects for clients such as McGraw-Hill, News America Marketing, Robert W. Baird, Johnson Controls and NAVTEQ. She holds a bachelor of architecture from the Pratt Institute.
James Young, ASID, CID, Los AngelesJames Young is a design director in the Workplace practice in Gensler’s Los Angeles office, as well as a Southwest Regional Design Leader. He is a certified interior designer who has worked on projects such as Creative Artists Agency, William Morris Agency and Latham & Watkins. Young holds a design degree from Hennepin Institute of Design in Minnesota.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476 January 30th 2009
Woodbury University Senior Earns Internship and Academic ScholarshipNEW YORK — Gensler, a leading global architecture, design, planning, and strategic
consulting firm, announced the winner of the Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship competition at
Contract magazine’s 30th Annual Interiors Awards Breakfast in New York City today. Danae Marie Ledgerwood, a senior at Woodbury University in Burbank, California, received the $7,500 academic scholarship and a post-graduation internship with Gensler.
“It’s critical to promote the professional development of young talent in the design industry and Gensler is proud to support this through our annual Brinkmann scholarship program,” says Robin Klehr Avia, managing principal in Gensler’s New York office.
Ledgerwood’s winning submission was chosen from more than 80 candidates from top colleges and universities across the nation. Her project titled “Preemptive Media” presents the development of a residency program and working environment for interactive media designers and underground artists. The project explores innovative delivery and archiving systems for digital art through the various spaces she designed.
The Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 as a memorial to Donald G. Brinkmann, a gifted interior designer, inspirational leader, and former partner at Gensler. The scholarship fund celebrates Brinkmann’s career-long commitment to nurturing new design talent by presenting outstanding interior design students with an internship and a financial award to be applied to their final year of school. Candidates for the scholarship must attend a CIDA-accredited school and are evaluated based upon their analysis and problem solving skills, design development, graphic presentation, communication skills and passion. The scholarship is funded by Gensler’s own fundraising efforts and contributions from the New York design community.
Contract magazine, a commercial design industry publication, co-sponsors the scholarship.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476December 16th 2008
Financial Award & Employment Opportunity Recognize Talent, Raise Awareness of Program
Washington, D.C. — Gensler, a leading global design and architecture firm, announces the launch of its 2009 Gensler African-American Internship & Scholarship (GAAINS), a program that will recognize the best emerging talent among African-American college students in architecture programs and raise awareness about the architectural profession as a desirable career choice for African-Americans.
“There is a critical need to support the education and mentorship of African-American architecture students, and we are excited that GAAINS will make strides toward that end," said Diane Hoskins, FAIA, Executive Director of Gensler. “It also helps us advance our commitment of bringing excellence and innovation to clients through the value of diverse perspectives.”
According to the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which accredits U.S. professional architecture degree programs, less than 150 African-American students receive architecture degrees each year — just three percent of all graduating architecture students. GAAINS will recognize the best talent of this group and encourage future African-American architects by providing financial assistance totaling up to $15,000 toward the cost of their final academic year to two seniors in NAAB-accredited programs, as well as a paid internship at Gensler for the top scholarship winner. The program has been launched at NAAB-accredited programs around the U.S., and submissions from up to two students nominated by their universities are due in mid-January. Winners of the financial awards and internship will be announced in April 2009.
Gensler announced GAAINS at the recent conference of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), where President Steven Lewis, AIA, commended Gensler for partnering with NOMA to make the architecture profession more accessible. GAAINS is a key part of Gensler's university and student outreach initiatives.
For GAAINS submission information, see: http://www.gensler.com/xtr/scholarships/Gensler_Scholarships_GAAINS.pdf
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476
December 15th 2008
Institute Employs Innovative Green StrategiesBEACON, N.Y. — Gensler, the leading global design, planning and strategic consulting firm, today announced the opening of Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries’ Center for Environmental Innovation and Education (CEIE). Beacon Institute is a not-for-profit environmental research organization engaging scientists, engineers, educators and policy experts in collaborative work focusing on real-time monitoring of river ecosystems.
The CEIE is the Institute’s first facility on its campus at Denning’s Point State Park, a 64-acre peninsula in the Hudson River in Beacon, N.Y. In addition to being a Visitor Center for the park, the CEIE is also Institute’s primary education and outreach facility and the home to its flagship initiative, REON (River and Estuary Observatory Network).
An adaptive reuse of a late-19th century, 4,000-square-foot masonry structure at Denning’s Point, Gensler’s design of the CEIE is driven by the effort to create a simple, yet technologically advanced space that is responsive to process, scale, environment and user. The integration of contemporary sustainable technology connects the building to its surroundings and enables the structure to develop over time as an organic system.
Gensler’s design connects the Institute to the surrounding historical landscape, incorporating a host of sustainable strategies that have set the Institute on track for a high level of LEED certification. Green technologies include:
• Natural ventilation towers
• Geothermal energy source used for all heating and cooling
• Composting toilets (the building has no sewage connection)
• Solar domestic hot water
• Adaptive reuse of an existing building
• Redevelopment of a former industrial site
• Community outreach and education programs on sustainable practices
• Research and planning aligned with LEED standards
Gensler participated in the Institute’s strategic planning process in 2001 as part of the Governor George E. Pataki’s Strategic Plan task force. The site selection process helped form an Environmental Institution with a novel approach to research on rivers and estuaries and their connection to society. After Beacon, N.Y., was chosen as the site, Gensler created a master plan to identify several sites along the Beacon waterfront. As the first facility for the Institute, the CEIE emerged as a beta-project and design laboratory for transformational sustainable strategies for the Institute’s mission.
“We wanted the space to be emblematic of a renewed human relationship to the river,” said Oliver Schaper, Gensler design director. “Utilizing the latest and most innovative technologies in a very natural and somewhat rustic setting created an inspiring juxtaposition, also playing on the notion of a second life and continued use of an old structure with new purpose.”
“Gensler engaged in a ‘whole building’ design approach to integrate the green technologies, which was particularly important given the challenge of the building’s modest size and the intricacy of the technologies within,” said John Cronin, director and chief executive officer of Beacon Institute. “We are thrilled with the outcome.”
Former Governor George E. Pataki, whose visionary leadership created the organization that is now known as Beacon Institute for Rivers Estuaries, said, “Beacon Institute’s mission to advance research, education and public policy as it relates to rivers and estuaries has never been more urgent... I am deeply gratified to witness the tangible outcomes of the Institute’s collaborative efforts in both the REON initiative and the new Center for Environmental Innovation and Education. It is important work that will inform our future.”
About Beacon InstituteBeacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, with offices in Beacon and Troy, N.Y., is a not-for-profit environmental research organization engaging scientists, engineers, educators and policy experts in collaborative work focusing on real-time monitoring of river ecosystems. It aims to make the Hudson Valley a global center for scientific and technological innovation that advances research, education and public policy regarding rivers and estuaries.
www.bire.orgFor further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476November 28th 2008
Design Completes Super-Tall District, Showcases Sustainable Public SpaceSHANGHAI–Groundbreaking ceremonies held today mark the start of construction on Shanghai Tower. The 632-meter building designed by Gensler, a leading global architectural design firm, advances sustainable design strategies and gives prominence to public spaces. The Shanghai Tower Construction & Development Co., Ltd., is the project’s developer. Thornton Tomasetti structural engineers, Cosentini Associates mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers and the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University as the Local Design Institute will support Gensler. The development is slated for completion in 2014.
Shanghai Tower is located in the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, an area of Shanghai that was farmland eighteen years ago. The district is poised to become China’s first super-tall district, as Shanghai Tower rises to complete a trio of towers including the adjacent Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center (WFC). Together, these three will form a new icon on Shanghai’s skyline. While the design of the Jin Mao Tower pays homage to China’s past, and the WFC’s design signifies China’s recent economic growth, Shanghai Tower’s design is a beacon of China’s future.
“This tower is symbolic of a nation whose future is filled with limitless opportunities,” said Qingwei Kong, President of Shanghai Tower Construction & Development Co., Ltd. “With Shanghai Tower we celebrate not only China’s economic success and increasing connection to the global community, but also our company’s commitment to developing properties that demonstrate the highest, noblest and most exquisite design achievements possible.”
Shanghai Tower will house Class-A office space, retail, a luxury hotel and cultural venues. The uppermost floors will feature the world’s highest non-enclosed observation deck. The tower’s podium building will offer a high-end retail environment with a major event space. Below-grade facilities include retail, connections to the Shanghai Metro and three floors of parking.
“We hope Shanghai Tower inspires new ideas about what sustainable tall buildings can be,” said Art Gensler, FAIA, Chairman of Gensler. “We’ve lined the perimeter of the tower, top to bottom, with public spaces, and we’ve integrated strategic environmental thinking into every move. The tower is a stage that comes to life through the presence of people.”
Tower CompositionShanghai Tower is organized as nine cylindrical buildings stacked one atop another. The inner layer of the double-skin façade encloses the stacked buildings, while a triangular exterior layer creates the second skin, or building envelope, which gently rotates as it rises. The spaces between the two façade layers create nine atrium sky gardens. Much like plazas and civic squares in traditional cities, the sky atria offer spaces within Shanghai Tower for interaction and community with restaurants, cafés, coffee shops and convenience stores, as well as lush landscaping.
With sky gardens lining the tower’s perimeter, Shanghai Tower is literally wrapped in public spaces. Both interior and exterior skins are transparent, establishing a visual connection between the tower’s interiors and Shanghai’s urban fabric. At night the building’s glowing translucent form further highlights interior public spaces. On the ground level, retail and event spaces, in tandem with abundant entrances on the site, further the physical and visual connections between the tower and the city.
Sustainable StrategiesIn accordance with the goals of the Shanghai Tower Construction and Development Co., Ltd., the tower will be one of the most sustainable tall buildings in the world. Working closely with Thornton Tomasetti and Cosentini, Gensler adopted a fully integrated design approach, ensuring all design decisions uphold a sustainable intent.
The façade’s taper, texture and asymmetry work in partnership to reduce wind loads on the building by 24 percent, offering considerable savings overall in both building materials and construction costs. In addition, the building’s spiraling parapet collects rainwater, which is used for the tower’s heating and air conditioning systems. Wind turbines located directly beneath the parapet generate on-site power. The landscaped atria improve indoor air quality and create comfortable places for people to linger. Shanghai Tower’s owners aim to register for a high level of building certification from the China Green Building Committee and the U.S. Green Building Council.
Contact:
Monica Schaffer
+1 212 558 0555
monica_schaffer@gensler.comAsia Contact:
Jennifer Celesia
+86 21 6135 0833
jennifer_celesia@gensler.comU.K., Europe, Middle East Contact:
Anna Robinson
+44 0 20 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.com October 23rd 2008
Download the "2008 U.S. Workplace Survey" (PDF)
Understanding Work Mode Shift Helps Companies Cut Costs, Increase Revenue
NEW YORK — Workplace design plays a pivotal role in overall business performance by supporting the new work modes of a knowledge economy, according to a nationwide study of office workers released today by Gensler, a leading global design and consulting firm. The Gensler 2008 U.S. Workplace Survey reveals that top-performing companies are embracing a fundamental restructuring of work through workplace design that places as much emphasis on collaboration, learning and socialization as on individual “heads-down” work. Companies providing workplaces that are more effective for knowledge work are seeing higher levels of employee engagement, brand equity and profit, with profit growth up to 14 percentage points greater than those with less effective work environments.
Leveraging Workplace Design to Meet Economic Challenge
"As cost control becomes an even greater business priority over the next several years, office space reductions will be a common cost-cutting strategy," says Diane Hoskins, Executive Director at Gensler. "However, companies risk creating inefficiencies if they simply shrink space and continue with the same workplace paradigm. Our research indicates that if organizations provide work settings that support today's dynamic ways of working, they can reduce real estate and improve their company’s performance at the same time — they can do more with less."
The Gensler survey makes evident that improving business performance via workplace improvements depends on the quality of space functionality and effectiveness, not quantity of space. Specifically, designing a workplace to support the right proportion of four knowledge work modes — focus, collaboration, learning and socializing — is a key differentiator between top-performing companies and average companies. Top-performing companies are those identified by survey respondents as the most profitable, admired and leading in their industries.
Gensler’s research reveals that 36 percent of the average office is ineffective or ill-suited for the activities of today’s knowledge workforce. In fact, employees believe that they could increase the quality and quantity of their work by an average of 25 percent by improving workplace areas to better support all four modes of work.
The Knowledge Workplace
The Gensler survey indicates that top-performing companies consider all work modes more important than average companies, spend more time in those work modes, and provide workplaces that support those modes more effectively. For example, people at top-ranked companies consider collaboration twice as critical to job success as average companies (43% versus 21%) and spend 23% more time collaborating than average companies (36% versus 29%). Socializing was almost three times as critical to employees at top-performing companies who spend 16% more time in that work mode (20% versus 7%).
"The value of focus work is commonly understood, but there's clearly a competitive advantage for companies who see how collaborating, socializing and learning add value to employee and business performance. For example, socializing plays a critical role in fostering social networks, the infrastructure that moves knowledge through an organization to create innovation," said Hoskins.
The ROI of Workplace Design
Gensler’s survey not only measured what people spend their time doing, but where they do it in the office and how effectively work spaces support them, creating a workplace efficiency rating for all survey respondents. According to this measure, top companies design workplaces that are 80% effective, and average companies only achieve 64% efficiency. Drilling down to workplace effectiveness for specific work modes, 86% of top-performing companies ranked their spaces effective for collaboration versus 72% at average companies and up to 14 percentage points higher for focus, learning and socializing.
The survey also found that companies with higher performing workplaces have higher revenue and profit growth than companies with low to moderate workplace effectiveness. At the high end of workplace effectiveness (91-100%), three-year average profit growth is 28.2%. At the low end of workplace effectiveness (0-40%), three-year average profit growth is 14.4%, 14 percentage points lower.
With research by the Gallup Organization pointing to higher performance, profitability and tenure from more engaged employees, Gensler’s survey mapped two measures of employee engagement — workplace and job satisfaction — to understand how the workplace contributes to organizational success. Eighty-two percent of top company respondents reported that they were satisfied/highly satisfied with their workplace; only 43% of average companies land in the same range. Respondents who rated their workplaces more effective had higher levels of job satisfaction, with those in the highly effective range (91-100%) reporting three times the job satisfaction as those in the 0-40% effective range.
Higher workplace effectiveness is a strong factor in attraction and retention of talented people; ratings of a company’s attraction/retention capability are almost three times higher when workplace effectiveness rises above 80%. “Businesses are viewing potential and existing talent as internal customers, and the workplace is a key part of the employment package that brings them in and keeps them working at their best for a company,” said Hoskins.
Survey Methodology
Gensler commissioned Added Value, a WPP company, to conduct an online survey with a random sample of 900 participants with equal distribution across the continental United States. Respondents were full-time, in-office workers, defined as workers who spend most of their time working at their primary, assigned location. All staff levels were represented, from Administration, Staff, Manager, Partner/Vice-President, and C-Suite. A spectrum of industries were represented, including banking, finance, insurance, technology, internet, telecom, consumer products, retail, legal, accounting, consulting, energy, media, creative, entertainment and not-for-profit associations. The methodology aligns with research accumulated from Gensler’s Workplace Performance Index® (WPI) measurement and analysis tool for work environments, which quantifies workplace effectiveness and provides companies a roadmap for improving productivity, employee engagement and organizational performance by improving their work settings environments. The Gensler Workplace Survey program began in 2005 and includes surveys in the U.K.
Contact: Monica Schaffer
(212) 492-1442
monica_schaffer@gensler.com
September 22nd 2008
T5 Will Be JFK's Busiest TerminalNEW YORK — Gensler presents a new paradigm in airport design with the October opening of JetBlue Airways’ Terminal 5 (T5) at John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the nation’s first terminals to be fully designed and constructed post-9/11. Located behind the landmark TWA terminal designed by Eero Saarinen, the new 635,000-square-foot, 26-gate facility showcases the historic building while handling more than 30 percent of JFK’s traffic, making it the airport’s busiest. T5 was built in collaboration with Arup, Turner Construction, DMJM Harris/AECOM and Rockwell Group. T5 was majority funded by and built in collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
T5 represents a new airport model designed for modern travel considerations, such as self-service options for customers and easily navigated security areas. Forty ticket counters and 65 e-ticket kiosks are evenly distributed on both sides of the ticket hall. In the center of the departures hallway, a 20-lane security checkpoint — the largest single checkpoint in the country — eliminates bottlenecks and features efficient, customer-friendly details such as self-selected lanes for families, casual travelers and expert travelers. Soft rubber flooring and a 225-foot-long bench to "re-vest" after passing through security make the quick trip through security pleasant.
Guided by JetBlue’s identity as a high-value carrier known for thoughtful details such as leather seats and extra legroom onboard its jets, T5 incorporates passenger-friendly elements such as splashes of bold color, abundant natural light, both lounge-like and traditional seating at gates, free Wi-Fi throughout, customer service zones in every concourse, food ordering capability at the gates, and a visual paging system for a quieter terminal less reliant on constant audio paging.
"Inspired by JetBlue’s promise to return humanity to air travel, we considered every detail from the traveler’s perspective and set out to remove some of the stress involved in air travel," said Gensler project director Bill Hooper.
With its straight angles of matte gray corrugated metal and glass, Gensler’s design for T5 complements Saarinen’s curvilinear concrete structure. The ticket hall features exposed structural steel; and industrial elements and materials throughout the terminal were chosen for durability and a minimalist aesthetic. The intuitively navigable terminal eschews abundant signage and other visual clutter, relying instead on physical cues such as signature materials and directional ramps.
"Terminal 5 is not just an airport terminal — it’s a People Port. It’s designed to provide operational efficiencies without sacrificing, and in fact showcasing customer-friendly qualities," said Richard Smyth, vice president redevelopment for JetBlue. "It’s the bricks and mortar manifestation of JetBlue’s award-winning customer experience and friendly service."
A 55,000-square-foot central Marketplace is located at the nexus of the three concourses and throughways to and from security and baggage claim. With a design and brand concept by Rockwell Group, the Marketplace captures the vibrancy of New York City. Inspired by some of the city’s most iconic spaces and experiences such as steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Yankee Stadium, the Marketplace features a 4-foot-tall grandstand and a 2-foot-tall platform for seating or performances and exhibitions, and a dramatic 44’ W x 36’ H signage ring of LCD monitors suspended by stainless steel cables and visible from all concourses. The Marketplace is home to a majority of the terminal’s nine full service restaurants, bars and cafes; eight quick-serve eateries; three coffee bars; six bars/lounges; and 25 retail stores. The exterior of each retail store in the Marketplace features a glowing portal that can contain both brand imagery and signage.
"The Marketplace reflects JetBlue’s unique design aesthetic and recognizes that the air carrier was conceived in New York. The result is an environment that is bold, celebratory and affirmatively New York," said David Rockwell, founder and CEO of Rockwell Group.
Masterplanning and engineering work by Arup, along with the firm’s extensive testing and commissioning program for the terminal, will allow the smooth and efficient flow of an unprecedented quantity of passengers, planes and luggage in a single terminal. Efficient passenger movement throughout the terminal is ensured by rigorous computer analyses of passenger flow. Dual taxi lanes on the runway permit simultaneously departing and arriving planes. An in-line baggage system that seamlessly delivers luggage from check-in, screening and sorting to planes, processing up to 4,000 bags per hour, also contributes to the terminal’s industry-leading 30-minute plane turnaround time.
"Terminal 5 reflects the priorities that helped JetBlue remake the industry,’’ said Arup Project Director Tom Kennedy. "It is the first terminal specifically planned and designed to operate at the level of efficiency and economy that JetBlue wants for its customers, and we expect future terminals will follow its lead."
A new parking garage and the AirTrain are connected to the terminal by a skywalk. Following the renovation of the historic Saarinen terminal, travelers will also have the option of entering through the historic terminal and reaching T5 via two renovated "flight tubes."
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476
September 18th 2008
DETROIT — The North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), designed by Gensler, celebrated its official opening on September 17. The new terminal is one of the first to be fully designed and constructed post-9/11 and will reinforce DTW’s status as one of the world’s most modern and efficient airports. The North Terminal sits on the former Davey Terminal (demolished in 2005) site and replaces the aging Smith and Berry terminals. Gensler served as the terminal’s architect, and Walbridge/Barton Malow company served as the terminal’s construction manager at risk.
The 850,000-square-foot, 26-gate terminal, expected to see between eight to 14 million passengers per year, enhances DTW's status as a global gateway to the metro region. The $431 million terminal met stringent budget requirements and establishes new benchmarks for value-conscious airport facilities. The terminal’s linear design creates a faster, more efficient path for taxiing aircraft, thereby reducing fuel use and environmental emissions, as well as saving time for travelers.
“With a design team composed of people who live, work and travel in the Detroit metro area, we brought a strong local point of view to creating a world-class terminal that is functional, beautiful, environmentally responsible and extremely cost-conscious,” said BillHartman, managing director of Gensler Detroit and design principal for the project.
The linear, bi-level glass and steel terminal is designed to evoke Detroit’s industrial heritage while meeting the dynamic needs of today’s travelers. A signature element of the design is a 660-foot-long horizontal glass curtain wall that ushers natural light into the ticketing, baggage claim and security screening areas. Other features include an in-line baggage system, plentiful electronic displays throughout the terminal and key design cues at transition points, helping passengers to intuitively and quickly navigate through the terminal.
“As our operations grow and our industry changes, we must be able to meet the needs of our customers, the airlines and our community," said Lester Robinson, Wayne County Airport Authority’s CEO. "Gensler’s design helps us accomplish our objectives of safety, convenience, efficiency and cost-conscious completion.”
North Terminal will be Detroit’s home to Air Canada, American Airlines, AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, USA 3000 and charter airlines. Upon opening, the Smith and Berry terminals will be decommissioned, making DTW one of the newest, most operationally-capable airports in North America.
About the Wayne County Airport AuthorityEstablished in 2002 by the Michigan State Legislature, Wayne County Airport Authority is an independent agency responsible for the operation of DTW and Willow Run Airport (YIP). Serving nearly 36 million passengers each year, DTW is the largest airport in Michigan and among the busiest air transportation hubs in the world. DTW’s 17 airlines offer more than 1,200 non-stop flights per day to more than 160 destinations worldwide.
Contact: Leah Ray
(312) 577-7118
leah_ray@gensler.comJuly 1st 2008
Award Recognizes Service Excellence in the Design and Construction IndustryALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) presented its 2008 Michelangelo Award to M. Arthur Gensler Jr., FAIA, FIIDA, RIBA, during CONSTRUCT2008 and the CSI Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Former CSI President Michael T. Owen, Sr., FCSI, CDT, presented the award to Gensler during the Opening General Session of the convention on June 4. Gensler spoke humbly of his 40-plus years in the industry after accepting the award, attributing his continued success to the high caliber of staff across the firm.
“I am very honored to receive this award from an organization that shares Gensler’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and most importantly, to the people who work so hard to make the AEC industry world-class,” Gensler said.
Gensler is founder of Gensler, an international architecture and design firm that grew from a three-person office in San Francisco in 1965 to 31 offices around the world today with more than 3,000 employees. He has been a transformative figure in the industry, having pioneered the discipline of commercial tenant interior design and encouraging the use of interdisciplinary design teams. Throughout his career, Mr. Gensler also has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to sustainable architecture, and he has strongly supported efforts to advance design education.
“We are pleased to recognize Mr. Gensler with the Institute’s highest honor,” said CSI President Eugene Valentine. “His innovative and exceptional contributions to the industry are to be greatly commended.”
The CSI award is named after Michelangelo Buonarotti, the renowned artist, architect and poet of the Italian Renaissance. It recognizes individuals for a lifetime of distinguished, innovative and far-reaching service to the design and construction industry, exhibited by excellence in the mastery of creating and sustaining the built environment.
Previous award winners include Dr. Charles H. Thornton, Ph.D., P.E., founding principal of the Thornton Tomasetti Group Inc., and landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, FASLA.
About CSI CSI is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross-section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. The organization has 146 chapters and more than 14,000 members. Monthly chapter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management. CSI is renowned in the industry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences and product shows. For more information, visit www.csinet.org or call 800.689.2900.
Contact: Monica Schaffer
(212) 558-0555
monica_schaffer@gensler.comJune 27th 2008
Sustainable Tower Creates a Vertical CityGensler has been selected to design the 600-meter Shanghai Tower in Shanghai's Luijiazui financial district. The tower will become a new landmark on the skyline of Pudong and set a new benchmark for sustainable building performance and technological innovation. Headed by Shanghai Tower & Construction Co., Ltd, the project development team selected Gensler after an extensive competition between local and international design firms.
Thornton Tomasetti structural engineers, Cosentini Associates mechanical engineers and the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University, serving as the Local Design Institute, will support Gensler. Ground breaking is expected in December of 2008 with completion in 2014.
Comprising 4,090,285 square feet (380,000 square meters), the tower will be one of the tallest in the world.
A Design for Shanghai and ChinaThe unique double skin structure creates vertical concentric spaces with the exterior skin enclosing atria and an interior building. The tower's soft triangular shape rotates clockwise as it rises upwards to culminate in an open-top design, reinforcing the impression of movement and dynamism that symbolizes Shanghai's success as a world city and the emergence of modern China.
Gensler's tower design also harmonizes with two adjacent Luijaizui buildings – the Jin Mao tower and the World Financial Center – to create a new triumvirate, dubbed the "three brothers."
A Vertical CityConceived as a "vertical city," the mixed-use design includes eight atrium sky gardens, office space, high-end retail, residential housing and public amenities. The tower is situated within a public park, with an open amphitheater for civic and public events.
Sustainable TechnologiesShanghai Tower will incorporate the latest sustainable design and renewable energy systems, such as innovative skin technologies. The project will seek a high level of LEED certification by the China Green Building Council (in association with the U.S. Green Building Council).
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476May 14th 2008
AIA Salutes Contributions to the Profession through Advancement of Architectural Education, Training and PracticeNEW YORK — Diane Hoskins, AIA, LEED AP, and Rives Taylor, AIA, LEED AP, have been appointed 2008 Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. Out of a total AIA membership of nearly 83,000, there are fewer than 2,650 distinguished with the honor of fellowship. The elevation to fellowship is conferred on architects with at least 10 years of membership in the AIA who have made significant contributions to the field. The AIA Jury of Fellows specifically noted Taylor’s and Hoskins’ outstanding commitment to architectural education, training and practice as a determining factor in their appointments.
As executive director of Gensler, Hoskins is part of the unique three-person team entrusted with stewardship of the global Gensler organization, guiding the firm’s approach to design and strategic consultation. She exemplifies a new generation of global architectural firm leaders, focused on expanding the profession through development of new practice models, learning programs, end-user research, strategic analysis, and sharing of outcomes through professional and public outreach.
Hoskins has made a significant impact in the area of evidence-based design and has led Gensler to the forefront of applied research. She is the founding leader of Gensler’s global Workplace Task Force, a group of leaders within the firm focused on the development and advancement of innovative workplace design strategies.
Hoskins holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a masters of business administration from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.
In addition to serving as firm-wide sustainability design director in Gensler’s Houston office, Rives Taylor is an active proponent of sustainable design and a passionate educator on the subject. He lectures and teaches sustainable design methodology seminars at Rice University, as well as serving as coordinator for the undergraduate and graduate technology curriculum and teaching numerous foundational architecture courses at the Gerald D. Hines School of Architecture at the University of Houston. In addition, Taylor helped found and was a long-time board member and director of communications for the Houston USGBC chapter.
Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Rice and a master’s degree in architectural studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476April 14th 2008
Growth in Central Texas Client Base Fuels ExpansionAUSTIN, Texas – Gensler announced today that it has opened an office in Austin to service the growing demand for architectural and design services in Central Texas. The Austin office expands Gensler’s ability to offer local services to its fast growing base of clients and prospects in the region. This is Gensler’s third office in Texas, joining Houston and Dallas.
“Gensler has been providing planning, architecture and interior design services to Central Texas clients from both our Houston and Dallas offices for the last 35 years,” said James E. Furr, FAIA, regional managing principal. He adds: “The opening of the Austin office epitomizes our client-driven business model and 'one-firm firm' culture, which is based on delivering strong local service with access to the talent and resources of Gensler worldwide.”
Gensler’s presence in Austin will be led by office director Todd Runkle, who worked in the company’s Washington D.C., Detroit and Houston offices from 1986 to 1999 prior to returning to Gensler last year. He is joined by project manager John Mapes, AIA, who worked in Gensler’s San Ramon, California office from 2000 to 2004.
Gensler’s Austin office is providing design services for such clients as RGM Advisors; Waterstone Development; Baker Botts L.L.P.; and AT&T, in addition to its work on The Domain, Phase 2, that includes more than 500,000 square feet of retail and is anchored by Nordstrom.
Gensler’s office is located at 221 West 6th Street, Suite 1150, Austin, Texas 78701.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476April 11th 2008
Store Designed for Discovery and Learning Features 40-foot-tall Sea Serpent with Interactive Play Zones, Is Recognized for Originality and Commercial SuccessBARCELONA — Gensler’s design for Baroue – Kuwait and the Arab region’s first one-stop children’s and maternity store – was named ‘Innovative Format of the Year’ at the prestigious World Retail Awards 08, which took place last night at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), during the annual World Retail Congress in Barcelona.
Voted for by a jury of some of the world’s most respected retailers and senior industry experts, the Innovative Format of the Year category is designed to celebrate original formats from retailers, both new and established, that are groundbreaking in terms of their development and subsequent commercial success.
Baroue triumphed over fierce competition and was awarded the prize for its rare appeal to both children and adults. Judges commented that the store was not only entertaining, but also educational and that there was significant potential for its further roll out throughout the Gulf region.
Baroue – meaning ‘role play’ in Kuwaiti – was conceived by Kuwaiti retailer MS Retail KSC to address a gap in the children’s and toy retail market in the Middle East. Realizing the potential for creating a landmark brand in the region, MS Retail commissioned Gensler’s retail, graphics, and branding team to provide a full-service design package, incorporating concept design, design development, implementation, and roll out of the 69,000-square-foot store in The Avenues Mall, Kuwait. Baroue’s objectives were to offer a large selection of quality products at a competitive price and in an innovative environment that incorporated entertainment and education as part of the customer experience.
“Baroue is a complete departure from the usual retail outlets found in shopping malls throughout the world,” said Jon Tollit, Gensler principal and Retail Practice Area leader. “The store creates an emotional connection with its audience, setting it apart from its competitors. It is more than just a shop; it’s a series of experiences.”
The store’s central feature is a giant Sea Serpent. Over forty feet tall and the length of four London buses, the Serpent houses interactive zones such as the jungle gym, sandpit, string-less magical harp, and connections to private party rooms. It also provides a supervised environment for children to play and bond, while their parents relax in the adjacent café or continue to shop. The store features a Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) with viewing console units to allow parents to locate their children anywhere in the store.
The store is designed to be safe, well organized, and clearly segmented. The central theme of ‘role play’ permeates throughout the space, and a core brand identity links the individual offerings, while subtly differentiating the different stages of a child’s development.
“Baroue’s innovative format has created an overwhelming response,” says MS Retail CEO and Chairman Fahad A Al-Mutawa. “Children are always on the lookout for something new and interactive that will engage their imagination. Gensler has enabled Baroue to translate this insight into reality, and its success is clearly reflected by the high footfalls and sales conversion since our launch last year. We’ve together proven that retailing in the children’s segment is much more than just having a wide range of products; it’s the overall experience that enlivens the products and sets a backdrop within which children can explore toys, clothes and more.”
Contact: Anna Robinson
020 7073 9685
anna_robinson@gensler.comFebruary 12th 2008
LONDON — Gensler London has relocated to new offices in 33 Aldgate House. The new work place, which brings all of the firm’s 220 employees onto one floor for the first time, showcases the strategic consulting, planning, architecture, interior design, and graphic skills that have made the firm a leader in the design profession globally. Established in 1988, Gensler’s London office is responsible for the firm’s work in the UK, mainland Europe, and the Middle East.
The result of an extensive consultation process with staff, the flexible open plan space is designed to foster communication among the firm’s multidisciplinary teams. Informal meeting spaces, teaming areas and quiet rooms support the 26,000-square-foot office. Vertical space is maximized to display project work. Clients benefit from modern meeting facilities and more interaction with the studios.
“A typical Gensler team is made up of professionals from our four core disciplines (Workplace, Architecture, Planning and Retail & Brand Design) working together on integrated solutions —and we needed a space that facilitated that kind of interaction,” says Chris Johnson, managing principal of Gensler for Europe and the Middle East. “Increasing communication and knowledge-sharing while maximising efficiency is something we do for all clients all the time. The relocation was an opportunity to employ the same standards applied to clients such as the London Stock Exchange to our own office space.”
Gensler also applied sustainable strategies throughout the space, including energy and water-saving technologies, environmentally sensitive furnishings, low emissions paints adhesives, sealants, and laminates and upgraded air distribution systems. The sustainable features of the physical environment are backed up by office-wide recycling policies and an ongoing learning programme on sustainability related topics aimed at staff.
The office move follows a staggering 45% increase in profit and a 30% increase in staff numbers in the European and Gulf regions.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida Jones
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeidajones@gensler.comJanuary 29th 2008
NEW YORK — Gensler announces the appointment of 11 new principals. The promotions are made on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding client service, innovation, contribution to the Gensler organization, and community participation. This year Gensler also appointed 100 senior associates and 201 associates across 30 offices worldwide.
The new Gensler principals (with home office) are:
Brian Berry, AIA, CSI, LEED AP, New YorkBrian Berry has more than 19 years of experience working on new building and interiors projects. As a design director in Gensler’s Workplace Practice, Berry has developed new workplace standards with financial, accounting, and computer and software companies using hoteling and virtual office concepts. His recent projects include interiors work for global advertising firms Bartle Bogle & Hegarty and Ogilvy & Mather, the consolidation of buildings for Limited Brands, Inc., and the renovation of Asphalt Green, a 5.5 acre sports, fitness, and aquatic center in Manhattan. Berry is registered architect and member of both the American Institute of Architects and the US Green Building Council. He holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of Kansas.
Richard Fencl, AIA, LEED AP, ChicagoRichard Fencl is the technical director for Gensler’s North Central Region, responsible for the technical merit and quality assurance of the firm’s work. Fencl brings nearly four decades of experience to this role, focusing on the technical development and constructability of building systems. A registered architect, Fencl is a guest lecturer for institutions and organizations nationwide. He serves on various trade association editing boards and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Structural Engineers Certification Board. Fencl holds a bachelor of architecture in architectural-engineering from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, International Code Council, Construction Specifications Institute, and is past president of the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings.
Philip Gillard, RIBA, LondonA registered architect with almost 20 years of experience, Philip Gillard is responsible for establishing Gensler’s Learning Practice Area in London with the goal of improving the design of learning environments worldwide. His commitment to planning educational facilities has led to a number of high-profile speaking engagements and articles on the topic. An active business developer and advocate of the firm’s marketing efforts, Gillard also leads one of two architectural studios in London. He joined Gensler in 2000 and is well respected for delivering meticulously detailed architectural solutions that respond to their context. Gillard holds a bachelor of arts in architecture (with honors) from De Montfort University (Leicester, UK) and a diploma in architecture from University of Central England in Birmingham.
E.J. Lee, New York Since joining Gensler’s New York office in 1999, E.J. Lee has focused her design talent and planning expertise on large-scale, highly visible headquarters interiors for such prestigious clients as The New York Times, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Deutsche Bank. With a focus on working primarily with financial sector clients, Lee has developed comparative analyses of space occupancy for financial firms that help expedite the decision-making process. In addition, Lee has served as design director on several retail interiors, including stores for Marc Fisher, Sigerson Morrison, and Guess. Between 1997 and 2006, Lee was also an associate professor at Pratt Institute, where she taught undergraduate and graduate design studios. She holds a master of science in interior design from Pratt Institute and a bachelor of interior design from Korea’s Ewha University. She pursued architecture and design studies in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as graduate study in textile design at Ewha University.
Nancy Nodler, HoustonWith over 28 years of experience in the design industry, Nancy Nodler is a firmwide resource for the design and planning of hospitality interiors. Prior to joining Gensler’s Houston office, Nodler was a partner at Bordelon Nodler Design Associates, where she focused on hospitality-oriented projects from programming through construction administration. She has been a guest speaker at the University of Houston, Houston Community College, the Art Institute of Houston, and the Decorative Center Houston. She is a Houston founding member and former national Board Member of the Network of Executive Women in the Hospitality Industry. Nodler earned her bachelor of science from the University of Cincinnati.
Raffael Scasserra, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA, Washington, DCRaffael Scasserra’s 16 years of experience includes design leadership on a wide range of hospitality, corporate, institutional, and residential projects. As Gensler Washington DC’s design director and leader of the Buildings & Campuses Practice Area, his diversified design acumen has led to his engagement on a broad range of planning and design projects. In addition to serving as master architect of the Potomac Yard Town Center in Alexandria, Virginia, he is the design director for the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and the ISC/NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. Scasserra holds a bachelor of architecture from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, where he also pursued a direct studies abroad program in Rome, Italy.
Sidney L. Scarboro AIA, LEED AP, SeattleSidney Scarboro, a registered architect with 24 years of experience, has assumed a leadership role in directing Gensler’s Seattle office. She has led numerous complex projects with large teams, bringing not only relevant project experience, but also deep technical knowledge and commitment to design delivery. She is presently championing four LEED-certified projects in Seattle. Scarboro earned a bachelor of architecture and a bachelor of science in architectural studies from Washington State University, Pullman. She is a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the American Institute of Architects.
Duncan Swinhoe, RIBA, LondonSince joining Gensler London in 2004 in the role of senior designer and studio head, Duncan Swinhoe has assumed responsibility for the architectural concept and direction of projects. Leveraging his extensive experience in working on a diverse range of complex and high-profile projects, Swinhoe has been involved in Gensler projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as the UK, and has developed high-level expertise on all aspects of large-scale mixed-use developments. Swinhoe holds a diploma in architecture and a bachelor of arts (with honors) from the University of Liverpool. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
James Wallace, AIA, LEED AP, BaltimoreAs co-director of Gensler’s Baltimore office, James Wallace has been responsible for the successful management and direction of a variety of project types including base building and interior renovations, educational facilities, corporate offices, hospitality, law firms, secured facilities, and retail stores. A registered architect with more than 32 years of architectural experience, Wallace holds a masters of business administration from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor of architecture from Louisiana State University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED accredited professional.
Warwick Ian Wicksman, AIA, Los AngelesWarwick Wicksman is a studio director in the Entertainment and Hospitality Practice in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. As a senior project architect and project manager, he is currently overseeing multiple projects at LA Live! in Los Angeles, including a 54-story high-rise tower featuring a Marriott Hotel and a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences, a Conference Center building, a Multiplex Cinema, and a 2,600 stall parking garage. Wicksman also leads motion picture theatre and screening room projects across the United States and Asia, working integrally with other Gensler offices domestically and internationally. As a technical director, he is a leader of the firm’s Southwest Region Technical Steering Committee. A registered architect, Wicksman is an associate member of the National Association of Theatre Owners and a member of the American Institute of Architects. Wicksman holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and studied design at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.
Chad Yoshinobu, LEED AP, Seattle A founding member of Gensler Seattle, Chad Yoshinobu serves as the office’s design director, specializing in architecture, interiors, and masterplanning. Yoshinobu has worked on a wide range of projects including corporate headquarters, office, retail, hotel, museum, transportation, and academic facilities. His work has been published in Architectural Record, Interior Design, and Corporate Interiors Book No. 3; and has been recognized with the Aichi Urban Design and Architecture Award, the International Council of Shopping Centers International Design Development Award, and the Cityscape Beautification Award from the Mayor of Nagoya, Japan. Yoshinobu received a bachelor of architecture from the University of Oregon, Eugene.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476 pr_071015_abuDhabiFlagship
October 15th 2007
Striking Design of Mixed-Use Complex Features World's Largest AtriumLONDON — Gensler, the global design firm, has unveiled images of the new flagship development designed for leading Middle Eastern real estate investment company, Tameer Holding Investments. Expected to be complete in 2011, the five-building complex features a stunning diamond-shaped design that will be the focal point of the new Shams master plan in Abu Dhabi.
The complex will include a 73-storey commercial tower, four residential towers, a seven-star luxury hotel, retail, dining, parking and a private marina over an area of nine million square feet.
"This commercial development embodies Tameer Holding Investments vision for Abu Dhabi's future. Growth in the Middle East is accelerating at an unprecedented rate and we believe Gensler's innovative design will attract and support international business for many years to come" said Abdallah Shaaban, chief executive officer of Tameer Abu Dhabi.
The commercial tower, the centrepiece of the development, encompassing 1,722,000 square feet and reaching over 980 feet high, will be a striking addition to the existing skyline. Diamond shaped in plan, the tower splits from level 20 down to sit on two legs, straddling the canal and pedestrian area that connect the Central Park and the sea. A cable-net supported glass wall will enclose this space to create a spacious and light-filled 175-foot high prismatic atrium.
"The fast pace of development in Abu Dhabi means differentiation and quality are key. We worked closely with Tameer Holding to develop a concept that uses the latest building technologies to address the climatic constraints and the business goals for such a high profile site," said Duncan Swinhoe, a senior associate at Gensler and design director for the project.
Four residential towers support the business development. Ranging in height from 41 to 61 storeys, the towers step in elevation from the lowest level at the Central Park to the highest at the commercial tower. The four towers share the same floor plate shape and are rotated relative to each other to create a dynamic plan that allows maximum views to and from the site.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_071004_REI
October 4th 2007
Store Serves as Laboratory to Test Green Building Design and TechnologyBOULDER, Colo. — The new Gensler-designed prototype store for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, opens on Friday, October 5. Designed to serve as a working laboratory to analyze the performance of green building features and new retail concepts, the store's design also incorporates an elevated community center that is the focal point of the store. The 42,000-square-foot store, a renovation and expansion of the co-op's existing Boulder location, is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver standards for commercial interiors. Additionally, the store is part of REI's involvement in the LEED for Retail pilot program. Gensler is the architect and interior designer for the prototype store.
"REI challenged us to raise the bar in terms of how their store and brand experience could better serve the community and the environment. The new store design creates a sense of community for both REI members and non-members, and reflects REI's leadership in environmental design," said Ted Jacobs, Gensler's design director for the project.
"REI and Gensler worked together to create a store that embodies the values that make REI unique—community involvement, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to serve as a gateway to the outdoors," said Dean Iwata, REI's director of store development. "REI's Boulder store builds on our more than 10 years of green building experience, and helps us test concepts that will pave the way for how our stores are built in the future, including design, material selections and use of technology."
The overall design scheme is meant to be reminiscent of nature, and is reflected in the exterior architecture and interior design elements. The store's façade incorporates visual cues of earthen strata, thick forest canopies, and a towering pinnacle.
REI's commitment to reduce its environmental footprint is translated through the store design in the use of green materials and building techniques including aggressive daylight harvesting systems that will reduce the store's energy consumption and allow for more natural daylight over in-store lighting. By utilizing Solatubes, highly reflective funnel-shaped tubes that channel daylight from the roof throughout the store, the building will save approximately 20% in its energy costs, the annual equivalent of powering up to three houses. Additionally, a centrally located glass atrium skylight lets in sunlight while monitoring and capturing the sun's energy to power the store through technology called building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). This solar roof monitor is the first installation of building-integrated photovoltaics of its kind in a retail environment.
In addition to saving energy and creating a light-filled space, daylight has been shown in studies by big-box retailers to have a positive effect on sales. Furthermore, Gensler drew on industry research and its own experience designing workplaces to create an enhanced environment for employees through access to daylight, improved air quality, and resilient flooring, which all contribute to healthy and more productive workers.
Other sustainable highlights include floors, perimeter walls, fixtures, displays, benches, and tabletops made of green materials such as bamboo, recycled rubber, and cork. A comprehensive summary of the store's green building features is available on REI's website at http://www.rei.com/greenbuilding/boulder.
With REI's company purpose to inspire, educate, and outfit others for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship, the prototype includes a large elevated community center located in at the center of the store. Free of merchandise, the nearly 2,000-square-foot space is solely dedicated to be a resource for the community to learn more about the outdoors and opportunities to protect shared natural spaces, as well as provide a venue for events, presentations, and demonstrations by REI or one of its many community partners. The glass-enclosed area remains visually tied to the rest of the store, but allows acoustic privacy for talks and other events. It also serves as an organizational core around which the surrounding zones are positioned. When no events are scheduled, the community space will be open for small gatherings. In addition, knowledgeable REI employees will staff the center to answer questions ranging from where to recreate to what outdoor clubs to join to which environmental stewardship projects need volunteers.
Emphasizing an enhanced shopping experience, Gensler researched REI customers and strived to create a welcoming experience for the range of store customers, from REI co-op members to first-time visitors. New fixtures custom-designed by Gensler efficiently display and store the vast array of merchandise that REI carries, from tents and kayaks to fishing tackle and granola. In addition, new signage and way-finding systems ease navigation throughout the store.
In addition to Gensler, the design team includes Westwood Contracting (General Contractor), Glumac (MEP Engineer), KPFF (Structural Engineer), Architecture & Light (Lighting Consultants), and TEBO Development Company (Building Owners).
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_070917_GenslerNY
September 17th 2007
New Space Provides an Eco-Tour for ClientsNEW YORK — Gensler, the global design and planning firm (www.gensler.com), has received a LEED
® Silver certification for the firm's office at 1230 Avenue of the Americas. Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System(tm) (LEED
®) is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings and interiors. Gensler is the first office to become LEED-certified in Rockefeller Center.
"Sustainable design at Gensler means applying a certain level of sustainable standards to every project we do" says Robin Klehr Avia, managing principal in Gensler's New York office. "It is relatively simple to create a green workplace, even in an older building, through thoughtful planning and careful product selection. The reaction from our team has been extremely positive, and we are all enjoying the experience of working in a sustainably designed, healthy environment." To this end, Gensler has created an "eco-tour" of the office with a goal of educating clients on how to apply sustainable strategies to a leased space.
The 66,000 square-foot office at 1230 Avenue of the Americas is only the third project to receive LEED certification in the category of Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) in the state of New York. Gensler's LEED-CI certification recognizes the sustainable strategies implemented in the workplace and reflects the firm's commitment to green design and the creation of a healthy environment for staff.
One of the key design objectives for the space, located on floors 15 & 16 and which features four exposures, was connectivity to natural light and views. This was achieved through the use of low workstations, minimal shading devices, no perimeter architectural elements, and open meeting spaces. The high level of natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day and also cuts energy consumption. Other energy-saving elements include water-saving fixtures, which have realized better than 30% savings on water usage, and the use of Energy STAR-rated appliances and equipment wherever possible. Environmentally sensitive furnishings, including multiple pieces custom-designed by Gensler, were made from recycled content or by means of green production practices. Low-emitting VOC paints, adhesives, sealants and laminates were used throughout the office. To ensure best air quality, all air distribution systems were protected from dust and debris during construction and were flushed for two weeks prior to occupancy.
Gensler also employs sustainable strategies for the general operations of the new workplace. Environmentally safe cleaning products are used in housekeeping and maintenance, and much of the paper waste commonly produced by architects is reduced through creative recycling efforts; for example, old construction drawings are recycled into sketchpads for internal use. An office-wide recycling plan for daily waste is an extension of the progressive recycling system of the building management.
"Everyone knows that sustainable design is the socially responsible thing to do, but our clients are also beginning to understand that sustainable practices are financially responsible, resulting in significant money savings in the long run," says Gensler managing principal Joseph Brancato. "Client tours are proving to be a great way to show them how easy it is to go green."
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_070605_CenterHalsted
June 5th 2007
Building Employs Innovative Green StrategiesCHICAGO — A ribbon cutting ceremony today marked the opening of the Center on Halsted, the Midwest's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community center. Designed by Gensler as a highly visible symbol of LGBT pride, the building is located at 3656 North Halsted Street in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood. The environmentally sustainable three-story, 185,000-square-foot facility provides a dynamic venue for the city's entire LGBT community and invigorates the surrounding neighborhood. Power Construction Company was the contractor.
"This building has impacted and changed lives before a door's gone up or a bolt's in place; I can't wait to see what we can do now that we have a home," said Robbin Burr, the Center's executive director. "Not only are we creating the Midwest's premier community center for LGBT persons and their allies, we're introducing a retail experience that benefits a much broader community. As a result of this partnership, the Center will function as a bridge between communities and individuals."
The new facility includes an entertainment venue, a Whole Foods grocery store, a café, offices for more than a dozen community service partners, a technology center, a gymnasium, a theater, a public roof garden, an underground parking structure, and a number of other unique gathering spaces.
"Chicago has long been the center of the LGBT community for the greater Midwest, and this bold new project allows various organizations to come together to collaborate, extend their reach, and share resources, said Grant Uhlir, Gensler's Principal-in-Charge of the project. "Literally tens of thousands of people will be directly served by the Center, and the energy it's already bringing to the entire neighborhood is palpable."
"The diverse identities of all of the people who will be using this building is what inspired our design," said Jason Longo, one of Gensler's architectural design directors. "Expressions of transparency, color, pattern, and historic elements reflect diversity while presenting a unified composition."
The unadorned clear glass exterior, which comprises 75 percent of the total façade, exposes the vibrant inner workings of the Center, enlivening the surrounding street and fully integrating the Center with the community at large. In a spirit of openness and celebration, programs typically buried within LGBT community centers line the building's perimeter. At the same time, the design accommodates private entrances for counseling and other private functions, while a set of doors between the grocery store and the Center's soaring lobby allow a shared entrance, furthering the Center's connection to the neighborhood.
For the main meeting room and office floor, Gensler employed a central corridor that acts as a main street, fostering interactions among the formerly disparate organizations. The top floor of the three-story building includes a double-height space devoted to theater and other performances, while a similarly scaled volume contains a gymnasium with a basketball court that opens to the public roof garden.
Setting a new standard for environmentally responsible community centers, the Center is expected to obtain a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The efficient coordination of the building's complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for the office, sports, performance, and retail spaces represents a major achievement in green building. The Center boasts Chicago's first rainwater harvesting system, which is estimated to save over 500,000 gallons of water per year. Brick salvaged from the existing building is a prominent feature of the building's lobby atrium, a space shared by both the Center and the Whole Foods Café. And the green roof is planted with drought resistant local plants.
Composed of the restored terra cotta and brick façade of a 1924 building wrapped by a new glass structure, Gensler's design creates a visible neighborhood presence for both the Center and the grocery store: The historic facade serves as the visual indication of the grocery store, while the modern glass structure provides a clear identity for the Center, which is housed on the building's second and third floors.
In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5, the Center celebrates its grand opening the entire month of June-Pride Month-with a gala on June 8, a Pride Dance on June 22, and performances and concerts throughout the month.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476 pr_070501_MiracleMile
May 1st 2007
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Shops in Desert Passage at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has officially been renamed Miracle Mile Shops as it undergoes a transition from a Moroccan-themed retail environment aligned with the former Aladdin Hotel and Casino, to a colorful, streamlined new design connected to the new Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Gensler of Nevada led the strategic rebranding as part of a collaborative team that includes The Friedmutter Group of Las Vegas, Studio B Design, Signwave, Clear Channel Spectacolor, Kelley Technologies, and Base 2 Technologies. The retail/entertainment complex, which covers 1.2 miles and features 170 specialty stores, 15 restaurants and live entertainment space, is owned by David Edelstein and Aby Rosen, in conjunction with leasing and marketing consultant Robert K. Futterman & Associates LLC. Miracle Mile Shops is managed by the Related Companies. The contractor is Flagship Construction Company LLC.
Gensler of Nevada is providing interior design, branding development, environmental graphics, an extensive signage and wayfinding system, and the architectural design of key exterior elements, including a new tower structure and the fa_ade redesign of the north and south entrances. This complex and large-scale endeavor is being implemented while the mall remains in operation.
"Gensler's unique understanding of the Las Vegas market and the impact of design on retailers has allowed us to develop a creative and achievable strategy that meets the demands of this complex project within as well as budget and schedule constraints," said Thomas Bittner, Gensler's project director for the Miracle Mile Shops. "The result is a vibrant new environment that welcomes shoppers more readily and allows retailers to merchandise more effectively."
Working in collaboration with Friedmutter Group and Studio B, Gensler has created a fresh, urban, and contemporary style that will appeal to a broad range of shoppers while a continuity between the exterior and interior design. Previously underutilized common spaces have been redesigned to host multi-media events.
Gensler of Nevada created a new brand identity for the mall, including a logo and system of brand elements, including custom patterns and color palettes. The brand elements were extended throughout the interiors and exterior-bold tonal colors, textures, striking geometric patterns and shapes have been applied to storefronts, furniture, carpeting, kiosks, even on the stainless steel trash receptacles, creating a multi-faceted and cohesive brand experience. New benches sport rounded, streamlined shapes, adding to the modern, sleek aesthetic.
Details of the ongoing interior makeover include such design enhancements as new interior lighting, streamlined and modernized storefronts and kiosks, and a de-themed interior. Gensler of Nevada also designed a three-story sculptural fa_ade element, which identifies the entry to the mall.
Other design highlights include contemporary large-scale chandeliers of glass and crystal that add visual focus and a sculptural touch to the new Miracle Mile Shops; silver leaf wallcovering on ceilings that replace painted clouds, and custom-designed carpet by Gensler creative director John Bricker in partnership with Milliken.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_070427_AbuDhabi
April 27th 2007
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Gensler has recently completed the new headquarters for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) in Abu Dhabi. The culmination of a large scale branding exercise, the new facility introduces new workplace standards in the region and firmly positions ADCB as a leading institution on the global financial arena.
To help the organization embrace new ways of working, 600 staff were moved from a highly cellular environment to mostly open plan spaces supported by flexible meeting spaces/breakout areas and the latest IT and AV technology. The non-hierarchical structure coupled with the new technology means that the bank can reach out to other markets timely and efficiently, a key competitive advantage in a region that is rapidly growing into a prominent financial center in the tradition of those in New York, London, and Hong Kong.
Gensler also designed the bank's main branch on the ground floor of the building. Although independent from the main office floors, the branch embraces the workplace concept as well as its detailing and finishes to create a powerful and consistent brand image.
"The new facility reflects ADCB'S desire to be the number one bank of choice in the UAE and reinforces the progressive culture of the organization. The client set out to incorporate the latest working practices and our close collaboration resulted in an environment that will allow the organization evolve and change in line with the fast-moving needs of their marketplace," says Enrico Caruso, principal of Gensler London and the design director of the project.
The project was implemented with the help of Norr Interiors based in Abu Dhabi who were the architects of record providing construction administration and project management services.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_070426_KentSchools
April 26th 2007
Over 140 Schools to be Rebuilt or Redesigned to Help Failing Students Meet Academic StandardsLONDON — Kent County Council under the Building Schools for the Future initiative (BSF) has appointed Gensler as client design advisors in the biggest single investment in improving school buildings on record in British history. After over 30 years of lack of investment, this £1.8 billion program will see the rebuilding or refurbishment of the entire secondary school estate (140+ schools) in Kent between 2007 and 2015. The first phase of activity is focused on North Kent, currently one of the areas of highest social deprivation in South East England. Gensler is part of a framework team of consultants led by leading management and construction company Gleeds.
The initiative comes as a result of a thorough review of secondary education provision in the county. With almost 50% of 16 year olds in Kent not reaching the recognized standard of attainment, the curriculum was deemed unsuitable and it was agreed by the education community that failure on any scale would no longer be tolerated. Kent County Council set out to create environments that would support students' needs through a range of academic and vocational pathways, which offer a greater variety of learning strategies to the individual learner.
Armed with information gathered through a series of visioning sessions and inspired by best practice examples from the US, Asia, Australia and Scandinavia, the Gensler team is drawing upon knowledge of a variety of industries to deliver truly modern environments which will help the client transform the way learning currently takes place.
The new model, backed by a large and diverse number of stakeholder groups, is set to increase the ratio of dedicated learning areas by up to 50% and support the implementation of a transformational agenda expected to rise attainment levels from 50% to over 80%.
Gensler's project director, Philip Gillard explains, "We are using design tools to encourage a holistic view of learning, as opposed to a purely curriculum-based approach. This means fresh thinking to meet requirements for 14-19 vocational programs and design that accommodate project-based learning and personalization. We are looking at the way spaces are used, by whom, and designing in the flexibility and technological capability to ensure Kent's schools are fit for 21st century learning scenarios."
Karl Limbert, Project Manager for BSF at Kent County Council, said, "Supported by Gensler, we are engaged in pushing the boundaries of learning in the UK and many elements of our work have already been adopted by central government as a national template of 'how to do it'."
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_070420_ToyotaDealer
April 20th 2007
Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas, Rates Silver with US Green Building Council
NEW YORK — Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas, designed by Gensler, is the first ever car dealership to achieve LEED™ recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council. The dealership, which opened in August 2006, was recently awarded a 'Silver' rating for its high level of environmentally sustainable design and construction features. Turner Construction built the facility.
"Everyone assumed that it would be impossible to design a LEED-certified car dealership, given the multiple functions that comprise a dealership-from the retail shopping component, to the often toxic environment of the auto shop and repair center," said Gensler's project director, Rick Ferrara. "But by challenging the status quo every step of the way, we built the dealership within the standard time frame and budget, proving that virtually any type of building has the potential to be sustainable and it doesn't have to cost more." At five percent of the budget, the dealership's LEED premium has a return on investment period of three to five years, and will save the owner a considerable amount of money over the life of the facility.
"We were able to draw on our experience in designing other LEED firsts, and integrated best practices from other projects." said Ferrara. Gensler designed the first ever LEED certified data center for Fannie Mae in 2005, and the firm's groundbreaking work on PNC Bank branches for the LEED Portfolio Pilot Program has opened the door for retail chains to certify fleets of stores by designing according to a sustainable prototype.
"This process has been successful in so many ways," said Pat Lobb. "Our employees and customers are healthier and safer, we're doing the right thing by the environment, our utility bills are already dropping, and the cost savings are only going to get better over time."
Given the dealership's accessibility to the public, part of the design strategy was to let the building serve as an educational tool for customers, employees, and the general public. Signs posted throughout the dealership demonstrate energy saving strategies and point out sustainable features. Organized tours for other car dealers, architects and contractors, community members, and school groups have been extremely well attended, indicating a widespread interest in sustainable design.
Sustainable design highlights include:• Building exterior is made of 85% recycled aluminum
• The dealership's security barrier is made of elevator cable salvaged from a local high rise office building
• The entry portal, the dealership's signature design element, features special non-lead glass and energy efficient induction lighting
• A 'green wall' along the rear and sides of the building made of climbing trumpet vine absorbs the sun's heat, keeping the building cooler and reducing energy costs
• Condensation from air conditioners as well as roof rainwater is captured in an 8,660 gallon cistern, which generates over 24,000 gallons (peak) per month for landscape irrigation
• A white modified bituminous roof system over insulation, foam, and concrete reduces the Heat Island Effect caused by typical darker roofs
• The car wash features a recycling system that saves more than 66% of the water wasted in a traditional car wash and uses ionized water to eliminate the need for electric blow-dryers
• Waste oil from the quick lube is used as fuel to heat the shop
• Interior carpet tiles use agricultural waste and recycled automotive glass backing
• vegetable oil is used in place of caustic hydraulic fluid on lifts in the service department
The dealership is in keeping with the Image USA II program launched in 2004 on which Gensler worked with Toyota to create a holistic brand experience across all U.S. dealerships, and to incorporate sustainable design into each new or renovated dealership. The sustainable design achievements of Pat Lobb Toyota are being incorporated into the program to benefit future dealerships.
"People's misperception about green architecture is that we have to compromise on design," said Ferrara. "This project illustrates that good contemporary design can go hand in hand with sustainable design."
See www.patlobbtoyota.com for a video on the dealership's design and construction.
*About LEEDThe US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED is a voluntary rating system that provides a uniform way to measure a building's environmental sustainability, providing evaluation in categories such as site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The number of total points awarded in each category determines a building's level of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_070405_HBO
April 5th 2007
Immersive and Sensory Branded Retail Environment Showcases Unique Show Footage and MemorabiliaNEW YORK — Designed by Gensler in collaboration with Imaginary Forces, the first HBO SHOP has opened on 42nd Street near Times Square. In the spirit of HBO's tag line, "It's not TV, it's HBO," the new HBO SHOP is more than a store, it's an immersive and sensory retail experience. The 750-square-foot SHOP offers visitors a unique glimpse into the HBO brand and programming through a carefully choreographed interplay of changing color, light, program footage, and architecture. JT Magen and Company, Inc. was the contractor.
The HBO retail experience features specially formatted and edited content from such HBO series as "The Sopranos" and mini-series like "Rome," along with related show merchandise. The content was custom created by Hollywood- and New York-based design and branding studio Imaginary Forces together with HBO exclusively for the store.
A life-size, physical metaphor for a television, The HBO SHOP offers a grand-scale three-dimensional experience in a relatively small space-a multi-faceted, multi-media gem that stands out among the giant flat screens of Times Square.
Fully transparent from the street, passersby visually enter the HBO retail space before ever physically entering the store, beckoned by one of the largest street-level flat-panel displays in New York. Inside, a sequential series of plasma screens form a spatial canvas for orchestrated cinematic performances of a seasonally featured show.
"HBO and the design team set out to raise the bar for a retail space in the same way HBO sets the bar for unconventional programming," explained Gensler project design director Lance Boge. "The emphasis is on the visit and the brand as much as the purchase."
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_070402_Furniture
April 2nd 2007
CHICAGO — Center on Halsted, a new community center serving Chicago's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, opening this summer, has launched a furniture shower e-registry (www.furnitureshower.com) that will remain open to donors through the summer. Conceived by Gensler, the Center's architect, the furniture e-registry and shower provides a unique fundraising channel for the new building and engages donors, giving them a personal way to invest in their new community center. On April 10, a Shower celebration will fete donors and highlight remaining furniture needs.
The first of its kind in the Midwest, the building is designed to be a neighborhood icon and a case study in design's potential to transform a community. A new model for non-profit-private sector partnerships, the building's ground floor tenant, a Whole Foods grocery store, will help fund the Center's programs and attract a mix of local residents to the building, further connecting the Center with the community at large.
"With all of the Center's pressing needs, from building construction to staffing, furniture can seem insignificant. At the same time, our goal was to break the mold for what a community center could look like-and furniture is an important part of that," said Gensler's Carlos Martinez, interior design director for the Center. "The furniture shower lets people make a tangible contribution, involving them in the design process-not to mention the buzz it's building around what the Center's going to look like."
Gensler chose the furnishings befitting the modern building it designed-sleek sofas, iconic Eames Rockers, and funky light fixtures-then solicited donations from manufacturers committed to the idea of the Center, including Knoll, Herman Miller, Interface FLOR and Allsteel, and opened the e-registry.
A truly engaging approach to fundraising, the shower lets every donor have a direct, personal connection with the Center and its mission-whether their gift is a fleet of office chairs or a single coat hook.
"The furniture shower has been embraced as a fun way for community members to decorate their Center on Halsted living room," said Center on Halsted executive director Robbin Burr. "The grassroots approach is in line with our values of community ownership and collaboration. By giving folks the opportunity to help us beautifully furnish the building, even more people have a stake in the success of the Center."
About the Center on HalstedThe Center on Halsted is the Chicago area's community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. The new Center building is the first of its kind in the Midwest. The Center offers support networks and programming that meet the cultural, emotional, social, educational and recreational needs of all LGBT persons. With a Whole Foods grocery store on the ground floor, the Center also includes meeting rooms, a caf_, a resource center, gym, theater, offices and a roof garden. The facility is designed to be a neighborhood icon, a model for energy efficient buildings, and a case study in design's potential to transform a community.
More informationOn the building: Center on Halsted Construction Begins, June 14, 2006
On the center: www.centeronhalsted.org
View the e-registry: www.furnitureshower.com
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_070226_Principals
February 26th 2007
NEW YORK — Gensler announces the promotion of 21 new Principals of the firm. The promotions are made on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding client service, innovation, contribution to the Gensler organization, and community participation. This year the Gensler firm also appointed 62 Senior Associates and 152 Associates across 30 offices. Profiles and photos for all the new appointees are available at www.gensler.com/appointments2007.
The new Gensler Principals (with home office) are:
John Adams, Los Angeles
As technical director in Gensler's Los Angeles office, John Adams recently served as project manager on 2000 Avenue of the Stars, a commercial mixed-use office building in Century City. Adams' combination of talent includes design, planning, management, and real estate strategy, which he has used on a variety of projects. A registered architect, Adams is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Urban Land Institute. He holds a bachelor of architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a master of architecture / urban design from Harvard University.
Todd Baisch, Chicago
For the past 19 years, Todd Baisch, a design director in Gensler's Chicago office, has built a design portfolio of more than 1.8 million square feet comprising strategic analysis, planning, and design of professional service firms. Currently, Baisch provides design leadership for Gensler's national and global accounts. Baisch served on the American Institute of Architects Chicago's Interiors PIA committee and has been actively involved with the Chicago Architecture Foundation for the past 15 years. He received his bachelor of architecture and bachelor of science in environmental design degrees from North Dakota State University.
Lance Boge, New York
As design director for Gensler's retail studio in New York, Lance Boge creates branded environments, specializing in retail and prototype design for leading international retailers, financial companies, and banking organizations. Boge joined Gensler in 2000 with 16 years of previous professional experience. Throughout his career, Boge has worked with creative leaders in fields such as fashion, art, and advertising, creating spatial solutions appropriate to their varied demands. Boge has been a design critic at Yale University, Parsons School of Design, Harvard University, and Columbia University; he has taught at both Yale and Parsons. He earned a bachelor of arts from Boston University and a masters in architecture from Yale University.
Lisa Bottom, San Francisco
Lisa Bottom has over 29 years of experience in interior design and has developed a specialization in commercial office design. Prior to joining Gensler, Bottom formed the Bottom Duvivier partnership, a collaborative organization of architects, interior designers, industrial designers, and workplace consultants. She is also a practicing product designer with several furniture lines currently being produced by national furniture manufacturers. Bottom holds a bachelor of science, environmental and industrial design, awarded with distinction from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Barry Bourbon, San Francisco
Since joining Gensler in 1994, Barry Bourbon has utilized his architectural talent and organizational management skills to become a Gensler firmwide leader in retail design. He currently serves as director of the San Francisco retail studio, specializing in retail roll-out. Bourbon organizes Gensler's yearly community efforts with Rebuilding Together San Francisco. He holds a bachelor of architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and pursued additional studies at the University of Copenhagen and Harvard Graduate School of Design. A registered architect, Bourbon is a member of the American Institute of Architects.
Barbara Bouza, Los Angeles
A specialist in health science and entertainment planning and design, Barbara Bouza is currently a leader of the workplace practice at Gensler LA. A registered architect, Bouza has served on the healthcare committee for the LA chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the board of directors for the International Interior Design Association. She is a member of the National Organization of minority Architects and a past director of the Los Angeles City Center. Bouza earned a bachelor of architecture from the California State Polytechnic University and participated in the Graduate Diploma Program of the Architectural Association, London, England.
Stephanie Burritt, Houston
After 6 years in Gensler's London office, Stephanie Burritt relocated to the Gensler Houston office in 1995. Her experience as a project manager/interior designer encompasses design solutions for banking and financial institutions, law and professional service firms, and corporations. Burritt has designed over 1 million square feet of space specifically for financial institutions. She holds a bachelor of science in interior design from the University of Cincinnati and is a registered interior designer.
Hunter Clayton, Las Vegas
Hunter Clayton joined Gensler in 2001 as a senior project manager for the San Jose International Airport project and currently serves as technical director in Gensler's aviation & transportation studio. Clayton's architectural experience consists of project coordination and management from conceptual design through completion of construction. A registered architect, Clayton holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of Houston and an associates degree in Construction management from Texas A&m University.
John Duvivier, San Francisco
As a design director in the San Francisco office, John Duvivier participates in design and planning projects involving Gensler's buildings & campuses, product design, and workplace practice areas. Duvivier joined Gensler in 2005, bringing over 30 years of experience for commercial, industrial, and municipal clients as well as the managerial experience involved in running his own firm, Bottom Duvivier. His work is consistently recognized with awards from professional, civic, and industry organizations, including a National AIA Honor Award. A registered architect, Duvivier is noted for his technical knowledge and ability to keep abreast of the impact of technology on architecture, products, and the work environment. Duvivier holds a bachelor of architecture from the University of Arizona.
Kenneth Fisher, Boston
Since joining Gensler in 1996, Kenneth Fisher has served as the senior project architect and project manager on a wide range of projects. In addition to his project involvement, Fisher serves as the architecture studio leader for the Boston office. Fisher is a member of the Boston Society of Architects and has served as the co-chairperson for the BSA's Committee on the Environment (COTE) for the past five years and the northeast representative for the AIA COTE Regional Team from 2004-2006. He has also served as a member of the steering committee for the Commonwealth of massachusetts Roundtable on Sustainable Design. He received his masters of architecture from the University of Oregon, his masters of science in physics from the University of California in Los Angeles, and his bachelor of arts in physics from the University of California at Berkeley.
Rocco Giannetti, New York
Rocco Giannetti joined Gensler in 1994 with experience as a project architect, and he quickly became a project manager on some of the New York office's most complex projects. In addition to his responsibilities as a studio director, Giannetti has been a leader of the project management community at the office, regional, and firmwide level. Currently Giannetti is project leader for workplace interiors on both The New York Times headquarters and the Bank of America Tower. An active member of the AIA, he chairs the New York Chapter Interiors Committee. Giannetti earned a masters in architecture from Princeton University and a bachelors degree in architecture from Pratt Institute. He is a registered architect in the state of New York.
Ala Hason, Denver
During his 26-year career, Ala Hason has developed an extensive portfolio in the U.S., China, and Middle East, which includes master planning, mixed-use development, transit-oriented development, hospitality and gaming facilities, and office buildings. Hason currently serves as studio director and senior project director with the architectural design studio in Gensler's Denver office. He earned a bachelor of architecture from Ainshams University, Cairo, Egypt and went on to pursue his architectural graduate degree from North Carolina State University. Hason then returned to Kuwait, where he held design positions with the Ministry of Public Works, as well as with consulting architectural engineering firms. He returned to the United States in 1990 and joined Gensler in 1995.
Kevin Heinly, Los Angeles
Kevin Heinly is a leader of the Gensler Los Angeles architecture studio and a technical director for the firm's Southwest region. In eight years with Gensler, his leadership has extended beyond technical direction to collaboration with project managers and design directors on a range of projects. Heinly's project involvement ranges from conceptual design through production, culminating in an active role in construction administration. A member of the American Institute of Architects, Heinly holds a master of architecture from the University of maryland and a bachelor of arts in architecture from Lehigh University.
Steve Hudson, Houston
As regional operating officer for Gensler's South Central region, Steve Hudson is involved in all aspects of the region's operations. Hudson helps staff understand the financial implications of their actions and coaches them on ways to improve our financial performance. His contribution to regional and firmwide initiatives goes way beyond mere numbers. Hudson earned both a master of business administration and a bachelor of science in finance (Cum Laude) from the University of Houston. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Houston CPA Society.
Ted Kollaja, Dallas
As a studio director in Gensler's Dallas office, Ted Kollaja manages large-scale, technically complex projects, with a focus on workplace environments. He joined Gensler in 2003 with over 20 years of experience. A registered architect and interior designer, Kollaja is past president of both the Dallas Chapter of the AIA and the Dallas Architectural Foundation. Kollaja currently serves on the Board of the Greater Dallas Planning Council. He participated in the Downtown Parks master Plan Steering Committee for Dallas and served on the editorial advisory board for Interior Graphic Standards published in 2001. Kollaja earned a master of architecture and bachelor of environmental design from Texas A&m University.
Thomas Lanzelotti, New York
As a technical director with Gensler New York, Thomas Lanzelotti is responsible for overseeing construction document preparation and construction administration for code compliance and technical detailing. He joined Gensler in 1994 as a senior project architect and currently serves as co-chair of the Gensler international technical steering committee and a member of the New York technical directors committee. Lanzelotti's technical expertise, combined with his ability to resolve unexpected field issues enhances his performance on construction administration and on-site field management/inspection on multi-phase, complex projects. A registered architect, he holds a masters in architecture and bachelor of science in architecture from The Ohio State University.
Trevor Oldridge, London
As finance director in London, Trevor Oldridge handles issues related to Gensler's architectural practice in not only the UK, but also across Europe and the middle East. A gifted problem-solver, Trevor meets challenges head-on and leverages his numerous contacts across the Gensler firm to ensure solid financial performance. A Chartered Accountant who trained with KPmG, Oldridge joined Gensler in 2001.
Keith Rosen, New York
Keith Rosen joined Gensler New York in 1998 as a recognized leader in the design profession, with extensive experience in corporate interior design. As a design director in Gensler's workplace and professional services practice areas, Rosen leads teams on projects for law firms, financial services and banking institutions, and corporate headquarters. He is a frequent conference lecturer and recently served as co-chair of both the AIA NY interiors committee and the IIDA New York commercial forum. A registered architect, Rosen is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association. He earned a bachelors of architecture from Pratt Institute.
Robert Stefko, Las Vegas
Since joining Gensler in 2000, Robert Stefko has used his project management skills on projects including the MGMMirage CityCenter, LA International Airport Terminal 3, the Las Vegas monorail. Prior to Gensler, Stefko served as manager of airport design for the Calgary Airport Authority at the Calgary International Airport. Recognized as one of the foremost building science specialists in the industry, Stefko previously owned ARCAD Design Architecture & CADD Consultants, Ltd., a computerized specialty architectural firm. A member of the American Institute of Architects, he holds architectural degrees from mcGill University in Montreal and is a registered professional architect with the Alberta Association of Architects and a licensed architect in the U.S.
Gary Wheeler, London
A renowned professional with over 30 years of experience, Gary Wheeler joined Gensler's London office in 2004 as director of workplace for Europe. Distinguished for his strategic approach to workplace design, Wheeler began his career as co-founder of the Wheeler Group in 1978. When Perkins & Will acquired the company in 1996, he became national director of interiors and later managing partner. Wheeler was inducted into the Interior Design magazine Hall of Fame in 2000. He is recipient of the Senior Fellow Award from the Design Future Council, the Leadership Award of Excellence from the International Interior Design, and the Designer of Distinction Award from the American Society of Interior Designers. The minnesota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recognized him in 1996 with a Special Award. From 1994 to 1995, Wheeler served as national president of the American Society of Interior Designers.
Nachiko Yamamoto, Tokyo
Nachiko Yamamoto came to her position as managing director of Gensler's Tokyo office from INARCH in New York, where she led project management, business development, and financial strategy. She enhanced INARCH's presence in China by not only leading international design competition initiatives for the firm, but also by leveraging her experience with joint venture projects in Japan. Yamamoto attended the Graduate School of Architecture at Pratt Institute and majored in Display & Exhibition design at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. With an architectural license in both the United States and Japan, combined with a bachelor of engineering in architecture from Tokyo metropolitan University, Yamamoto has a unique understanding of cross-cultural architectural practice.
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pr_070221_Newark
February 21st 2007
Academy for Underserved Urban Youth is First LEED-designed Building in Newark, NJNEWARK, N.J. — St. Philip's Academy will celebrate the completion of their new school campus—the first LEED-designed building in Newark—with a grand opening and guided tour on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. Designed by Gensler from a 1920's factory building at 342 Central Avenue, St. Philip's Academy is an independent K-8 school founded in 1988 to serve underserved city youth. The school welcomes all children regardless of their family's ability to pay tuition. StructureTone was contractor for the project.
The new school has been designed as a tool to teach paths of healthy living and learning, a hallmark of the institution's philosophy, and involved a complete redesign of the existing 55,000 square feet as well as design of a new 14,000-square-foot addition. The existing structure houses flexible classrooms, science rooms, a library/media center, music and art rooms, and administrative offices. The new wing will house a gymnasium with garage style doors that when open will create an indoor/outdoor stage.
Formerly located in an historic bank building in downtown Newark, also designed by Gensler, the academy chose the 1920 brick and masonry building north of the Central Ward neighborhood, near the site of the 1967 race riots, as part of its goal to create an environmentally-sensitive building and learning environment, but also to play a role in revitalizing the neighborhood.
"It was Gensler who helped us find this building," said David C. Farrand, president of the St. Philip's Academy Board of Trustees. And it was Gensler who helped the skeptical envision the finished structure. "It took a real leap of faith to imagine what it could look like, and Gensler helped us visualize it," he noted.
A green roof will allow the school's 320 students to grow and harvest vegetables and herbs for their cafeteria, where meals are served on platters family-style. Food waste will be converted into compost to nourish the soil of the rooftop garden—demonstrating sustainability and underscoring the school's new Health and Wellness campaign.
The design decision to expose columns, ductwork, standpipes and brickwork, is part of a strategy to use the building itself as a teaching tool about sustainable design and how buildings work. Exposed beams, trusses and columns provide tangible demonstrations of the principles of geometry, physics, and design. A unique signage and wayfinding system teaches students about sustainability, architecture, and history, using colors and motifs inspired by nature.
"As a 21st century school, we must take on broader responsibilities and acknowledge the concept that strong schools can be a primary agent in improving the quality of life and safety of a neighborhood," said Miguel Brito, head of St. Philip's. "Lower income and minority children disproportionately suffer from poor indoor air-quality and related problems in conventional schools. A LEED school building creates an opportunity to improve the health and educational settings for all students, regardless of income or background."
Designed to meet a LEED Silver 2.1 rating, St. Philip's will be Newark's first LEED-certified structure and one of only two certified independent schools in New Jersey. Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
"Architecture is one of the few arts that offers the opportunity to have a long-term impact on a community." said Ralph Walker, Gensler's project architect. "The design of St. Philips will have an impact on generations to come, not least because the school offers a superb learning environment to many who wouldn't normally have access to one."
The St. Philip's Academy design team included Architect, Gensler; Client Representative, Richard L. McElhiney, AIA; Structural Engineer, DiStasio & Van Buren, Inc; MEP Engineer, Van Pret & Weisgerber; Civil Engineer Keller & Kirkpatrick; and Landscape Architect: MKW+Associates
Major donors include PSE&G, The Victoria Foundation, The Turrell Fund, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, individuals, companies and others.
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(212) 468-4476pr_061208_Stewart
December 8th 2006
Will Focus on Reducing Buildings' Energy Consumption 50% by 2010NEW YORK — RK Stewart, FAIA, a principal at Gensler, was inaugurated as the 2007 President of the National American Institute of Architects on December 8th, 2006, at a ceremony in Washington, DC. Stewart, who succeeds Katherine Lee Schwennsen, FAIA, served this past year as first vice president/president elect.
"I consider it a great privilege to serve as leader of the AIA community, particularly during this exciting 150th anniversary year, and to have an opportunity to highlight what architects can do to create vibrant and sustainable communities that improve people's lives," Stewart said. He will lead some 80,000 members of the AIA during his tenure.
As 83rd AIA president, Stewart plans to move the organization's ongoing focus on sustainability, diversity, and the development of emerging design professionals from a strategic to tactical plane, emphasizing action and measurable results on grassroots to government levels.
"Over the past few years, the AIA has developed a robust strategic planning process to allow main initiatives to be defined and tracked," Stewart explained, speaking from his office in San Francisco. "Building on that foundation, we have added for the coming year a more meaningful set of metrics to track our progress in our key strategic areas."
Key initiatives and metrics that Stewart will focus the AIA membership on this year include:
• Partnering with the US Council of Mayors to help them collaborate with constituents and a broad cross section of industry leaders to effect a 50% reduction in buildings' fossil fuel energy consumption by 2010 through the AIA's 50-50 Tool Kit, which offers 50 strategies to reduce energy consumption;
• Increasing diversity within the profession so that buildings and communities reflect the needs of underserved populations;
• Mentoring emerging professionals and insure that education, licensure, and internship opportunities are meaningful for the future of the built and natural environment, with an associated 10% increase in AIA membership and a 50% increase in the distribution of eKnowledge content issued online by the AIA's Knowledge Communities;
• Increasing advocacy of government legislation, with a goal of introducing 2 new legislative measures to Congress this year.
Addressing the AIA's sustainability initiatives, Stewart said, "If we really want to be serious about how to turn things around environmentally, we must acknowledge that buildings are responsible for 76% of electrical energy consumption and 48% of energy consumption overall, and are therefore at the frontier of what must change." He added, "That's where the AIA can have a major impact."
RK Stewart will play a key role in this year's landmark 150th anniversary AIA convention, themed "Going Beyond Green", to underscore the AIA's focus on broad sustainability issues. Former Vice President Al Gore, the author of Earth in the Balance and the force behind the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, will be the keynote speaker.
Reflecting on his coming year as AIA president, Stewart noted, "I have the rare chance to help our profession change the way we inhabit the planet, respond to the critical need to reduce energy consumption and gas emissions, and literally define our future through the built environment."
RK Stewart, FAIA: BiographyRK Stewart was inducted into the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows in 2001. Recognition for his contributions to the profession include the Octavius Morgan Distinguished Service Award, the Preservation Design Award, the U.S. Institute of Theater Technology Award, and First Place in the 18th Annual Interiors Magazine Awards for Public Spaces & Entertainment.
Since joining Gensler in 1988, Stewart has managed large-scale, complex projects for which he has applied his expertise in the architectural design, development and documentation process along with a keen understanding of engineering disciplines. His experience in complex regulatory approval processing makes him a firmwide resource for planning code, building code, historic preservation and similar issues. As a rotating member of the firm's Management Committee in 2000 - 2001, RK led development of improvements in Gensler's Design and Delivery Systems, including technical, specifications, CAD, project management and learning committees. To improve the communities in which we practice, he has been involved in advocacy efforts across the state and nation.
He received his Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Kansas.
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(212) 468-4476pr_061027_LaSandia
October 27th 2006
DENVER — Richard Sandoval's La Sandia Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar at the new Northfield Stapleton open-air lifestyle center in Denver, CO, opened this week. Designed by Gensler, the new restaurant introduces traditional Mexican cuisine in a modern and casual setting with a moderately priced menu. The 7,200 square-foot restaurant seats 259 guests within a bar and lounge, outdoor terrace, main dining room, and semi-private dining area.
To achieve a holistic and consistent guest experience, Gensler worked with Sandoval's company, Modern Mexican, on every aspect-from naming and identity through construction. Tailored to fit within the context of a lifestyle center, La Sandia is an unfussy, casual environment that is equally comfortable to shoppers stopping in for a quick bite, or neighborhood friends celebrating a special occasion.
"In designing La Sandia, we blended authentic elements with magical details and a modern sensibility," said Gensler design director Lance Boge. "The result is like the perfect meal-warm, balanced, and enchanting!"
Every aspect of the experience has been designed to reflect a uniquely Mexican point of view, but in a way that avoids the typical clich_s and is instead modern and sophisticated. Throughout the space, stone flooring, handcrafted wood, weathered steel, and saturated colors contribute to a warm, authentic atmosphere. Mexican icons and symbols of celebration inspired the design. The entryway, for instance, is designed to feel like walking through a punched-tin Mexican lantern. The theme continues in the main dining room, where a series of lantern-inspired colorful rolling partitions, which can be reconfigured to accommodate intimate dinners or large parties, filter light to envelop guests in a rich, magical setting. Sections of the loft-like unfinished wood ceiling are pressed tin, creating intimate spaces. The name La Sandia, Spanish for watermelon, is a reference to Mexican food and art and is easy and fun to pronounce in English.
A tequila bar features prominently in the center of the space, with a lower wood ceiling to create a feeling of intimacy. A double-height wall of custom-printed tile frames the view of the display kitchen, where customers can watch fresh tortillas being made.
Witty interpretations of the popular Mexican Loteria game occur throughout the space in places such as restroom signs labeled La Sirena for women and El Diablo for men. Other graphics such as stylized birds, butterflies, and dragonflies add a sense of whimsy, while a series of dichos, or Mexican proverbs, promote conversation and reflect the festive environment.
"Gensler has created a space that perfectly complements the spirit and flavors of La Sandia's cuisine," said Richard Sandoval. "Dining here feels comfortable and familiar yet memorable and magical."
In keeping with the high sustainable standards of the entire Northfield Stapleton development, La Sandia incorporates 'green' features such as high performance glazing, "touchless" faucets, salvaged wood flooring, dimmable lighting, low-VOC paints, and recycled concrete countertops. La Sandia also participates in a trash sorting and recycling program.
The La Sandia Design Team includes Gensler; Architecture, Branding, and Graphics; Bliss Fasman, Lighting Design; Larson Binkley, MEP Engineer; GMS, Structural Engineer; Hospitality Kitchen Design, Food Service Equipment Consultant; Provident Construction, General Contractor; Brand ID, Environmental Graphics.
Richard Sandoval's Modern Mexican is a leading international restaurant group with outlets in New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Mexico City and Dubai. Owned by legendary Chef Richard Sandoval, the group includes Maya in New City, San Francisco and Dubai; Pampano in New City; Zengo in Washington DC and in Denver; Tamayo in Denver; Isla in Las Vegas and Hip Kitchen in Mexico City. For more information on Modern Mexican, visit www.modernmexican.com.
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pr_061016_GenslerNY
October 16th 2006
NEW YORK — Gensler (www.gensler.com) has applied its expertise in workplace design to its own new office in Rockefeller Center. The firm has relocated its Midtown operations from One Rockefeller Plaza to 1230 Avenue of the Americas.
The new office is designed to encourage and support the creativity and innovation of Gensler's staff. "As the leading workplace design firm in the world, we work with our clients to create environments that foster innovation," said Robin Klehr Avia, FIIDA, managing principal. "Now we've applied the latest thinking to the design of our own office." The office layout places a significant emphasis on collaborative spaces-including large open team areas and soft-seating areas around a circulating stair-creating a double-height central collaborative zone where designers can interact, share ideas, and discuss their work. "Many of our clients see innovation as the main driver of business growth today," said Joseph Brancato, AIA, managing principal. "They're looking to us and our design process as a model for innovation in their companies. This collaborative zone will help us open our process and our culture up to our clients."
The resource library is a central focus of the new office. The library is designed as an area of the office that the staff passes through and interacts with-rather than a room that designers only go to when they need to find a product or a finish. "Designers need to know about the latest products," said Mark Morton, IIDA, Gensler principal and design director for the new office. "With an open resource library as a central hub of the office, we plan to keep our staff constantly up-to-date about the latest products."
In keeping with its objective to foster and celebrate creativity, Gensler has carefully selected artwork that will rotate throughout the year. In addition, in the center of the circulating stair, which will be the collaborative heart of the office, Gensler has commissioned graffiti artist Jose Soto to create a two-story wraparound mural. "The art reminds us to look beyond our own work for inspiration," said Morton. "The graffiti mural links our office to the urban fabric of New York-while at the same time celebrating the creativity in our work."
The new office is also a model for sustainable design. Gensler has selected many green products and materials for the new office, and was careful to follow sustainable procedures during construction. Gensler is currently preparing its submission to the U.S. Green Building Council for the new LEED certification for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI).
Gensler's Rockefeller Center office is located in 55,650 square feet on the 15th and 16th Floors of 1230 Avenue of the Americas. The office has 280 design professionals and support staff. Gensler also has an office downtown at 48 Wall Street, with 120 professionals and staff, for a total of 400 in New York City.
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(212) 468-4476pr_061012_Hunt
October 12th 2006
His Efforts Broadened Appeal of Center for Architecture to Design Community, PublicNEW YORK — Walter A. Hunt, Jr., FAIA, vice chairman of Gensler, received the 2006 President's Award from the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Center for Architecture Foundation. The award is presented tonight at the Heritage Ball held at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
Mr. Hunt was president of the Center for Architecture Foundation in 2004 and 2005, and president of AIA NY in 1999. His fundraising and leadership efforts on behalf of the chapter's Center for Architecture resulted in "a uniquely collaborative space that broadens the practice of architecture and reaches out to the professional community, the City of New York, and the general public," said Rick Bell, FAIA, Executive Director of AIA New York.
Mr. Hunt and A. Eugene Kohn, FAIA, chairman of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, were co-chairs of the Center for Architecture Capital Campaign, a seven-year effort that raised $6 million. Contributors included engineering, construction, and architectural firms, as well as vendors, consultants, manufacturers, and the City of New York.
"Walter Hunt was the obvious choice for this year's award," said Mark Strauss, FAIA, president of the AIA NY Chapter. "He set the stage for our contributions to public policy. The center would have been a different place without him."
Opened in 2003, the Center for Architecture provides professional and public education about design and its allied fields. On a given day, visitors might find an exhibit on design's potential to address the obesity epidemic, a group of children learning what lighting designers do, an educational course on the benefits of underfloor air distribution, or an auction to benefit a group of politically oriented interior designers.
The Center for Architecture is a neutral platform to explore professional and political topics surrounding the built environment. It also promotes an appreciation of New York City. "If you're a New York City architect, you're lucky," Mr. Hunt said. "There's an incredible wealth of talent and resources and much more. The city gives us a lot. The Center for Architecture is a way for us to give back, to become an organization focused on the public, on buildings, on our extraordinary urban fabric."
The center appeals to the entire architectural "food chain," from developers to vendors to the city itself. Such broad-based appeal is unusual for an AIA chapter office. "The success of this space is setting a trend among other chapters and creating a model for energy, transparency, and collaboration," Mr. Hunt added. "Establishing the physical premises was just the first step."
The San Francisco AIA, for example, opened its own Center for Architecture this month with the mission of enhancing public appreciation for architecture through exhibitions, lectures, tours, film series, and other programs. The Boston Society of Architects has a similar mandate and other chapters, including Seattle and Philadelphia, are following suit.
The New York Center for Architecture is located on two sub floors of a former industrial space at 538 LaGuardia Place. It is home to the AIA New York Chapter, the Center for Architecture Foundation, a charity organization focused on youth education, as well as the New York Chapter of the American Society of
Landscape Architects, and the Structural Engineering Association of New York. While many AIA members were involved in the campaign, Mr. Hunt was eager to share his honor with Mr. Kohn, as well as Margaret Helfand, FAIA, of Helfand Architecture, and Rolf Olhausen, FAIA, of Ohlhausen Dubois Architects, all of whom were instrumental in establishing the Center for Architecture.
Biography: Walter A. Hunt Jr., FAIAWalter A. Hunt Jr., FAIA, is vice chairman of Gensler and directs the firm's Global Client Program from the New York office. He served as co-managing principal of the New York office for 18 years, having relocated in 1985 from the Denver office, where he was the managing principal for seven years. He also directs selected projects in the New York office, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Hunt specializes in project development for significant and unique projects. He is one of the two key principals serving as Executive Architect for the MGM Mirage CityCenter project in Las vegas, the largest privately funded project in the united States. Mr. Hunt is on the Board of Directors of the Yale Alumni Fund and the Dean's Council at the Yale School of Architecture. He lives with his wife Judy in New York City.
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(212) 468-4476pr_061009_Hearst
October 9th 2006
Gensler Celebrates Wide-Ranging Role in Tower Development Including Collaboration on Progressive Workplace Design
NEW YORK — The Hearst Tower, New York City's first occupied "green" office building, officially opens today. The new headquarters building consolidates 2,000 of Hearst's employees in one location-the culmination of a strategic master plan by Gensler begun in 2000. Gensler also served as Associate Architect for interiors in close collaboration with Foster and Partners, the building's designer, and as the Interior Designer of the Fitness Center among other roles.
"From the beginning, Hearst set out to create a superior workplace for its employees," said Joseph Brancato, Managing Director in Gensler's New York office. "Not only is the Hearst Tower a beautiful addition to the City's skyline, but as an office space, it is one of the healthiest, most enviable environments for workers in New York City. It has been very gratifying to participate in its development."
The Hearst Tower's progressive interior design reflects convergent sustainable and workplace strategy goals. Floor to ceiling windows flood the office areas with natural light, with deep penetration into the open plan office areas maximized by transparent office and meeting room fronts, low workstation partitions, and limited use of interior walls. Recent studies have demonstrated the important positive effects of natural light on worker health, quality of life, and productivity.
To help fulfill its sustainable mandate and to further ensure a healthy workplace environment, Gensler defined the "green" strategies for the interiors and selected and specified furniture, finishes, and carpeting that are made from recycled content, sustainably harvested materials, or are low in toxicity. The Tower, the first occupied commercial building in New York City to be recognized by the USGBC for high environmental performance both on its exterior and interior fit-out and systems, received a "Gold" Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating on September 22, 2006. Steve Winter and Associates provided consultation for the LEED application process.
Designed to encourage communication throughout the workforce, the workplace layout co-locates editorial and publishing groups. Collaboration within groups is enhanced by abundant meeting spaces of various sizes and types on each floor. To further team work and a sense of community, prime space such as the building's corners and its eastern perimeter are dedicated as 'public' areas.
"Employees have been unbelievably enthusiastic about their new office space," said Brian Schwagerl, Director of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Planning at Hearst. "They're effusive about the natural light and the quality of the air, and there's greater contact, interaction, and idea-sharing within the company. It's no exaggeration to say that staff at all levels feel energized working in the new Tower." To identify correlations between the workplace design and its impact on employee and company performance, Hearst will conduct a post-occupancy study by the end of the year in conjunction with Gensler.
The interior workplace design included collaboration among Gensler, Foster and Partners, and the furniture manufacturer, Steelcase to design furniture systems customized for its largely female workforce. The workstations and office systems have special features such roll-away visitor seating and as mirrored lockers and cubby spaces for personal items.
Gensler was also responsible for the design of the light and view-filled Fitness Center, located on the 14th floor and recreated the Good Housekeeping Research Institute's Dining Room, a Federalist-style formal room in exacting detail-the only element of the old building besides the façade of the Joseph Urban-designed landmark to endure in its original form. Gensler's consulting practice assisted Hearst with the employee transition process from its twelve different locations to the Tower with an internal communications program as well.
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pr_060929_Barneys
September 29th 2006
NEW YORK — Barneys New York has opened its new 88,000-square-foot Dallas flagship store at NorthPark Center, the premier mall known for its emphasis on art. Designed by Gensler in tandem with the Barneys in-house design team, the luxe retailer's third largest flagship location (after New York City and Beverly Hills) announces its presence to high-end shoppers with a sculptural glowing steel and glass 'light box' embedded in the store's expansive 35-foot white brick façade. Gensler collaborated with fine artists, including sculptor John Paul Phillipe and decorative artist Jonathan Adler, in developing both the exterior and interior designs. StructureTone was the contractor.
"The design of Barneys New York in Dallas is architecture at the service of retail," explains Lance Boge, Gensler's design director for the new store. "In drawing on the recognizable sculptural forms created by artist John-Paul Phillipe for Barneys internationally, we've designed a façade as a piece of sculpture and even established an architectural branded doorway into Barneys-a façade that is art, architecture, and brand."
In a departure from its usual presence in upscale urban settings, the new Barneys is located in the high-end NorthPark Center mall. A strategically devised, dramatic façade insures that the store will stand out among the numerous mall options in a way that befits Barneys' upscale urban cache. The retailer commissioned artist and long-time Barneys' collaborator John-Paul Philippe, who created the signature steel sculpture at Barneys' Ginza, Japan, location, among others, to collaborate with Gensler in making the Dallas store equally memorable.
The creative synthesis of artist and architect resulted in a visually striking glass and steel curtainwall vestibule structure that transparently encases a multi-dimensional steel sculpture. The structure functions as the major external entrance to the store, transforming the building itself into a work of sculpture. A bold red cantilevered steel slab emerges from the entrance structure to create an elegant red porte cochere awning balancing above and defining a waiting area for valet parking.
Inside, Gensler's task was to capture the taste, luxury and humor of the Barneys brand while creating an environment with its own personality. ''The iconic style of Barneys New York is a perfect fit for Dallas' fashion-conscious consumer," says Jeff Henry, Gensler's interior design director for the store. "Designed to flow effortlessly, the major interior elements-floors, walls, ceilings-work together to create a sculptural stage that supports the unique merchandise and witty presentations. Wrapped around all of this are sumptuous materials that assert the Barneys New York unmistakable point of view."
Spiraling between the two floors, the wood, limestone, and steel staircase forms a directional focal point for shoppers. The stair's steel structure is built with the same cut shapes as the exterior sculpture; the railing features glass etched with a pattern that also references the exterior. Supported by a single steal beam, the stairway is light and transparent, cascading down and culminating midway with a platform to be used as an ad hoc runway for fashion events.
The interior features such luxury materials and finishes as Italian plaster, end-grain oak flooring, hammered steel, Lucite, ombred-limestone mosaics, and black-stained oak with gold cerusing. To emphasize the fine art theme throughout the store and mall, four artists (Carter Kustera, Terrence Gower, designer Jonathan Adler, and Phillipe) contributed original artwork including mixed- media and painted murals and silhouettes, sculpture, ceramic artwork, and even custom furnishings and interior design for the new Personal Shopping area.
NorthPark Center is a fitting home for the new Barneys. Raymond Nasher, who developed the mall, is widely known as the world's leading collector of 20th Century sculpture and modern art. Since the 1960s he has introduced NorthPark shoppers to works by Borofsky, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Stella, among others.
Gensler's New York and San Francisco offices completed the store in just 14 months, some 4-8 months faster than the industry standard.
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pr_060912_ToyotaDealer
September 12th 2006
Gensler's Design for Toyota is Registered with National Green Building AssociationMCKINNEY, Texas — Gensler has designed the first "green" car dealership in the country that has been registered for a rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The sustainable dealership, Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, is located at 3350 S. Central Expressway at El Dorado Parkway. The 53,000-square-foot, two-story facility recently celebrated its grand opening.
"Initially, the general assumption was that it would be impossible for a car dealership to go green and meet the stringent requirements to do so," said Gensler Dallas' Rick Ferrara, project director for the new dealership. "We believe this project will serve as an example that sustainability can be made a natural part of any building type."
LEED is a voluntary rating system that provides a uniform way to measure a building's environmental sustainability, providing evaluation in categories such as site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The number of total points awarded in each category determines a building's level of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. The dealership is on track to receive a LEED Silver rating.
"Opening this new dealership in McKinney is exciting in itself," Pat Lobb said. "We are also pleased to lead the way with a super energy-efficient and environmental facility."
Sustainable design elements such as water-efficient bathroom faucets and high-efficiency lighting permeate the building. Its aluminum exterior is made up of 80 percent recycled materials, and the carpet incorporates recycled automotive windshield glass. Additionally, a car wash uses recycled water, and waste oil from oil changes will be used to generate heat in portions of the building during winter.
The sustainable elements go beyond the building itself. Gensler incorporated bicycle racks for employees and preferred parking for vans to encourage ride sharing. The surroundings are landscaped with native Texas plants and grasses that require little water and are disease resistant. Roof and condensate water is harnessed for irrigation.
The dealership is designed to meet Toyota's Image USA II specifications, a nationwide program to unify Toyota dealerships' public image and encourages dealers to incorporate sustainable design strategies and materials. It will be serviced by Gulf States Toyota, the independent distributor serving dealers in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi. Turner Construction built the facility.
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(212) 468-4476pr_060824_DubaiChamber
August 24th 2006
LONDON — The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry selected a 1.5 million square-foot design by Gensler for an additional building campus within their existing headquarters. Work on site is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2007, with a projected opening of March 2009.
Consisting primarily of two towers of 27 and 21 stories each, the campus also includes a multi purpose hall, parking, and a bridge link to the main chamber. The campus will act as a destination hub for DCCI's 79,000 members, providing office space for new companies and supporting the organization with new business facilities.
In a bold move away from the traditional center-core building approach prevalent in Dubai, the geometric arrangement of the towers creates an efficient and harmonious composition of old and new, fully integrating existing facilities while representing a striking new addition to the Dubai Creek skyline.
"This building, combined with an efficient site-planning strategy, creates a cohesive DCCI identity and address, reflecting the organization's stature and adding value to its core services," said Philip Gillard, Gensler's project director. "It represents a long-term solution and will set the regional benchmark for new buildings to come."
The new scheme aims to give the DCCI a marketable property that will help reinforce their brand in an increasingly competitive market. To maximize leasing potential, services and support functions are located outside the primary floor-plate allowing easy subdivision into smaller 1,000-square-foot tenancies or highly desirable 20,000-square-foot floors.
To be constructed with indigenous materials and readily available technology, the building responds intelligently to climate and site orientation, minimizing life-cycle and maintenance costs.
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pr_060814_Raceline
August 14th 2006
New Retail Model for Designing, Building, and Racing Remote-Controlled Cars
CHICAGO — Raceline Motorworks, a new 5,000-square-foot retail and entertainment destination designed by Gensler opened in August 2006 at Westfield Hawthorn mall in Vernon Hills, IL. From a store entrance that resembles an open race car semi-trailer truck, to a pit row assembly area and on/off road racetrack, every store design detail immerses visitors in the experience of a day at the speedway. Targeted to kids aged 4-12, the new concept store is intended to be the boys' answer to the widely popular American Girl Place shopping experience, and akin to the interactivity of Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. In addition to interior design and retail architecture services, Gensler provided brand strategy and graphic design services for the one-of-a-kind retail environment. Clune Construction is the project's construction manager.
"Our objective," said Luigi Franceschina, Gensler's design director for the project, "was to create a store environment infused with the excitement of a 'Race Day' experience, a place where boys can be boys." He added, "It's more than just shopping, it's an interactive journey that encourages imagination and lets kids engage in a new and different experience each time they return."
"We are thrilled to introduce Raceline Motorworks to the retail market," said Rocky Jones, one of the founders of Experience Enterprises, the Chicago-based firm behind the concept. "Gensler's design realizes the entertainment mission of our emerging brand through experiences that celebrate boyhood, affirm self-esteem, and enhance parent-child relationships."
Experience Enterprises approached Gensler because of the design firm's ability to create signature-shopping experiences for such clients as American Girl, Apple, Gap, and Toys 'R' Us.
Collaborating with Experience Enterprises, Gensler established both the brand platform and the comprehensive graphic "look" for Raceline Motorworks, including development of the store name, logo, environmental graphics, signage, uniforms, packaging, and print collateral. Additionally, Gensler branded all the car-lines, providing Raceline Motorworks with a means to market and differentiate their products.
The store design evokes the carnival-like atmosphere of the "Race Day" experience, from the iconic garage door exterior to interior elements such as a grandstand, a track, pit row, and a racing team's truck and garage. Racing stripes, reminiscent of tire skid marks, enliven the store's walls and products. Large animal and nature-themed symbols establish the car model identities, and a graphic system of icons efficiently communicates the various product offerings.
Kids and parents engage in the retail experience from the perspective of a race fan approaching the racetrack, and as they move deeper into the store the experience progressively transitions to that of a racecar driver. The simple layout and primary color scheme eases circulation and store navigation. Kid-friendly graphics are easy to read and understand, and railing heights are set low to provide optimal viewing for children. Showroom panels represent race flags, and wood and metal surfaces evoke the industrial feel of a racetrack environment.
The store experience allows visitors to select and customize their car model, register their car and obtain a license and title from a mock department of motor vehicles, then move to the assembly area where a pit crew helps them build their cars before proceeding to the racetrack. Flat-screen monitors list current and upcoming races and post results.
Raceline Motorworks plans to rollout multiple stores throughout Chicago, the Midwest, and other regions of the US in the coming years. Future stores will have different racetracks to encourage club members to visit other stores and race the Raceline Motorworks circuit.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476
pr_060731_FaultyTowers
July 31st 2006
New Research Reveals Impact of Environmentally Unfriendly BuildingsLONDON — New legislation will expose the poor state of Britain's commercial property - causing a dramatic fall in the capital value of the UK's investment portfolios, according to new research released today by Gensler.
In a stark warning to commercial property investors, the report, 'Faulty Towers: Is the British Office Sustainable', reveals that 75% of property developers believe that impending legislation to grade the energy efficiency of buildings (in response to the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) will have a negative impact on the value and transferability of inefficient buildings when certification is imposed from 2007.
Chris Johnson, managing principal, Gensler London said: "Property fund managers are effectively sitting on an investment timebomb. The introduction of energy performance certificates will shorten the lifespan of commercial buildings constructed before the new regulations, and we expect the capital value of inefficient buildings to fall as a result.
"We expect to see a shake up in the market, with investors disposing of inefficient stock, upgrading those buildings which can be adapted and demanding much higher energy efficiency from new buildings."
According to the research, more than a quarter (27%) of companies' property-related energy consumption could be saved by making offices more sustainable, the equivalent of £155 million wasted every year.
The report also reveals that nearly three quarters (72%) of company property directors believe that business is picking up the bill for badly designed, inefficient buildings and more than a quarter (26%) state that bad office stock is actually damaging UK productivity.
With spiraling energy costs pushing energy efficiency up the agenda, business is shown to welcome the grading of buildings and is aiming to reduce property related energy consumption by 12% over the next 5 years.
While property directors confirm that business is willing to pay 10% more in rent for efficiently designed and constructed buildings, the majority of property developers (67%) state that they will only go as far as legislation demands when it comes to energy efficiency.
"With around 40% of energy consumption in the EU coming from the building sector, more sustainable and efficient design offers an enormous opportunity for reducing energy wastage, reducing carbon emissions and cutting costs," Johnson said. "However, there is a perception amongst developers that there is no demand for sustainable buildings. As a result, they lack the incentive to commission greener buildings. Our research shows that this pessimism is misplaced - business recognizes the benefits of energy efficient buildings and is willing to pay 10% more in rent for more efficiently designed and constructed buildings."
Sir Digby Jones, former director general, CBI, said: "Sustainability has increasingly become part of the language of commercial property. Yet despite individual examples of good practice, energy use in the commercial sector has risen rapidly and too often the development industry perceives a lack of demand for energy efficient buildings.
This needs to change. For the market to develop it is vital that investors, developers, business users and the government work together to make a compelling business case for sustainable buildings. Only then will they be built. As the Gensler report shows, such foresight could save UK businesses millions of pounds every year in reduced energy costs".
Notes To Editors
About Faulty Towers: Research Methodology Gensler's Faulty Towers report is based on an independent opinion study of 100 UK property professionals conducted by commercial property magazine Estates Gazette on behalf of Gensler in spring 2006.
The sample included the UK's top 50 property developers with responsibility for decision-making, and 50 property directors with responsibility for property portfolios in large multi-site organisations from financial services, legal and general corporate office sectors.
For further information, copies of the report and interview requests please contact:
Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_060720_Casino
July 20th 2006
LONDON — Gensler has been appointed as both master planner and architect for Blackpool's proposed Conference and Casino Quarter. Seen as a key part of the £1.4bn master plan to transform Blackpool into a resort of international appeal, the development will contain 1.7 million square feet of entertainment, hotel, conferencing, and casino development on a 20-acre site.
The UK's first "regional casino" will be the catalyst for a development designed to strengthen Blackpool's success as a contemporary destination that evokes fun and excitement. The conference center, which consists of a 3,000-seat auditorium and a 54,000-square-foot exhibition space, will be served by an adjacent upscale hotel. This will be supported by a brand new "Winter Promenade," a new leisure attraction offering retail outlets, restaurants, bars, and entertainment facilities.
"We want to create a memorable and commercially successful development that will change people's perception of Britain's most famous seaside resort, giving the UK market a compelling new reason to visit Blackpool while injecting life and resources into the economy," said Reg Haslam, director of development at ReBlackpool, the resort's regeneration company responsible for the bid.
Gensler, which was recently ranked the number one architecture firm in the entertainment sector worldwide by Engineering News Record magazine, was engaged in the project to deliver a bold but fully functional vision for the site.
Residents and the business community alike welcomed the emerging plans, which were on display earlier this month at Blackpool.
"We aim to meet Blackpool's regeneration ambitions by presenting a solution that captures the imagination of the local community and investors. The positive feedback shows we are heading in the right direction," says Ian Mulcahey, principal of Gensler London.
Blackpool is one of the eight local authorities shortlisted to become the location for Britain's first regional casino. Blackpool's plans, which are being refined and developed, will be submitted for outline planning approval in early August. They will then be presented to the people of Blackpool for further comment and then to the Casino Advisory Panel in September. The Government is due to announce their decision in early 2007.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.com pr_060720_OfficeDesign
July 20th 2006
Poor Workplace Design Could Cost American Businesses $330 Billion Annually in Lost Productivity Gensler Survey Finds; However, Given Right Workplace, 48% Would Work Extra Hour A Day
NEW YORK — Office design may be holding workers back from optimal job performance, as well as inhibiting companies' competitive advantage, according to a new study released today by Gensler, a leading architecture and design firm. The study is the most wide-ranging and in-depth exploration of the link between workplace design and employee performance among U.S.-based companies that has been conducted in recent years.
The Gensler 2006 U.S. Workplace Survey reveals that workplace design has a very real impact on companies' bottom lines. In fact, the effect of office design on worker productivity in the U.S. is estimated to be at least $330 billion annually for the eight industry groups sampled in the survey, according to an analysis conducted by the research firm D/R Added Value (see Survey Methodology).
These survey findings suggest businesses that ignore the design and layout of their workplaces are failing to optimize the full value of their human capital. According to the survey, office workers believe they would be 21% more productive if given a better working environment. Almost half say they would log an extra hour per day under such improved circumstances.
The Gensler 2006 U.S. Workplace Survey is part of the firm's annual inquiry into the impact of design on business performance and builds on an earlier workplace survey conducted by Gensler's U.K. office.
"Businesses are waking up to the fact that the workplace is much more than just real estate and a means to house their people," said Diane Hoskins, an Executive Director at Gensler. "They are embracing performance-focused workplace design as a strategic business initiative-as the forum that can drive employee excellence, business objectives, and ultimately, the bottom line."
The average survey respondent is a middle manager or above, 42 years of age, in an office of 209 employees, from a company with 3,711 employees and $354 million in annual revenues. These averages roughly correlate to U.S. office worker averages.
Better Design Equals Better Performance
According to the survey, nine in ten workers believe that better office design leads to better overall employee performance, and also makes a company more competitive. Nearly 90% of senior executives, including occupants of the C-suite, feel that a better physical working environment would have a positive impact on their company's bottom line. They also estimate that their companies would be able to perform an average of 22% more work if their companies had better designed physical working environments.
However, in practice, many businesses seem to ascribe a low value to workplace design. Forty-six percent of workers do not believe creating a productive workplace is a priority at their companies, and 40% say that minimizing costs is the main reason behind their workplace's current layout. One in five respondents rated their current physical workplace environment as being only "fair to poor."
Impact on Innovation, Collaboration, and Creativity
The survey demonstrates a link between the physical office and work processes such as innovation, collaboration, and creativity. Two thirds of workers believe they are more efficient when they work closely with co-workers. However, about 30% of workers don't think their current workspace promotes spontaneous interaction, collaboration, or cooperation and teamwork among colleagues and direct reports. Only 50% believe that their current workplace design encourages innovation and creativity.
Gensler is working with a number of companies, such as BP, Discovery Communications, and the Hearst Corporation, that have identified workplace design as critical to innovating and competing in the 21st century. With strategically-planned workplaces, these companies aim to leverage their "organizational intelligence." For example, BP is using a Gensler-designed workplace prototype to inform and infuse a new office design with attributes that clearly motivate collaborative work for the Houston Exploration and Production group.
Workplace as a Weapon in the Talent War
Survey results overwhelmingly pointed to the importance of good workplace design for employee satisfaction. Over 90% say the quality of their working environment affects their mood and attitude about their work. Almost as many (89%) believe that the quality of their working environment is very important to their sense of job satisfaction.
"In the coming years, companies will succeed or fail depending on their ability to recruit and retain top skilled workers," said Hoskins. "Therefore, the office environment is taking on an increased responsibility to connect people and support strong corporate cultures that engage workers hearts and minds."
Additional Survey Findings
Topping the list of employee grievances about physical environment were lack of space, too few quiet areas, uncomfortable workstations, and bad layout and design. Other notable results from the study include:
• Over one third of respondents say their current workplace design does not promote health and well-being; yet healthy and secure working conditions are reported as the most important factors in an efficient working environment.
• 62% of U.S. office workers have great respect for leaders who work in an open plan environment with their teams rather than in private offices.
• Only 42% of respondents say they would be proud to show important customers or potential recruits their current workplaces.
Survey Methodology
Designed by D/R Added Value, the survey was conducted online in March 2006 among a randomly selected and representative sample of 2,013 office workers in all staff and management strata in the U.S. National in scope and representing six major geographic regions, the sample represents workers in eight industry groups - Legal; Accounting; Consulting; Banking; Financial Services and Insurance; Entertainment and Media Technology; Energy and Telecommunications; Retail; and Product Manufacturing. Job types include all levels within the organization including staff workers, middle managers, and senior managers, including C-Suite executives. The sample matches U.S. Census data with respect to average worker age and gender.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476
pr_060719_AshesSnow
July 19th 2006
LOS ANGELES — Ashes and Snow - The Nomadic Museum was named Best in Show in the 2006 Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). First announced on www.BusinessWeek.com and on www.idsa.org, Gensler and Shigeru Ban were earlier recognized by IDEA with a Gold award for the Santa Monica installation of the Nomadic Museum, which made its debut on Pier 54 in early 2005. IDEA, one of the world's most prestigious design competitions, is co-sponsored by BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). IDSA's quarterly magazine, Innovation, will publish information on the Gold, Bronze and Silver winners in its annual Yearbook this fall.
In selecting The Nomadic Museum for this honor, jury chair Chris Conley, IDSA, of Chicago-based consulting firm Gravity Tank, remarked, "Rarely does the beauty and wonder of distinct creative efforts reflect and reinforce the other's purpose so fluidly. In the Ashes and Snow Nomadic Museum, it's happened twice. Gregory Colbert's photographs of people interacting with animals the world over are perfectly housed by the wondrous nomadic structure of Shigeru Ban. When Gensler was asked to make the exhibit sustainable and travel the world, nothing was lost and for the millions of viewers who will now see the exhibit, everything is gained. Congratulations to all the design leaders that made this the Best in Show."
According to Conley, "The 2006 IDEA winners represent the best of global product design and the best people and firms working to realize design's potential in everyday life." From more than 1,494 entries, this year's jury awarded 27 Golds, 38 Silvers, and 41 Bronzes, for a total of 106 awards. The IDEA jury of 18 leading thinkers in the design world previewed entries online and then engaged in two days of intense, face-to-face evaluation and debate. Judging criteria focused on five areas: design innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to the client/business, ecological responsibility, and appropriate aesthetics and appeal. Winners will accept their awards at the IDEA 2006 National Conference in Austin, Texas in September.
The Nomadic Museum was initially designed by Shigeru Ban to be a temporary structure housing Ashes and Snow, the traveling exhibition of large-scale photographic works and films by the artist Gregory Colbert. Gensler joined the design team with Ban after the initial exhibition in New York to implement a broader sustainable program, fulfilling the client's original vision of a 100% sustainable structure. Driven by a zero-waste ethic, Gensler developed a program that assured that each component was not only a local reused or 'found item,' but that the entire structure could remain demountable and 'nomadic' for the life of the project and beyond. The museum is composed of 152 steel cargo containers stacked and secured in a checkerboard pattern. The entire exhibition is packed into a dozen of those same containers as it travels from place to place. The remaining containers are borrowed at each new location, along with recycled paper tubes for the roof and reusable wooden planks and local gravel for the floor, all which can be reused or recycled after the show. Meant to reflect the exhibit's subject matter -- the harmonious relationship between human beings and the natural environment -- the museum is a transitory environment that evokes the journey of the exhibition.
Gensler also collaborated on the design of wholly new elements unique to the Santa Monica exhibit, including a large column-free digital cinema and bookstore made entirely of recycled paper components.
The installation completed a 4-month run in Santa Monica on May 14, 2006. The project was then disassembled in less than 2 weeks, packed into numbered containers, and is being prepared for shipping to its next venue - Tokyo, Japan. During its installation, more than 500,000 visitors experienced the exhibition. Viewers included almost 100,000 public school students who were bussed in as part of a grant funded by ticket sales and the Flying Elephants Foundation, which organized the exhibition.
About IDEA, Industrial Designers and IDSAThe IDEA program fosters business and public understanding about the impact of industrial design excellence on the quality of life and the economy. Industrial designers determine the form, use features and interaction qualities of manufactured products, packaging and digital media systems. They study people at work, at home and in motion to create satisfying experiences with products from the kitchen and the office to the hospital and the warehouse, shaping these to fit their customers and to make effective use of industrial processes. In this way, industrial designers have a quiet but profound presence in almost everything people encounter during the day. IDSA is the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.
For further information, please contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476 pr_060714_Homeland
July 14th 2006
OMAHA, Neb. — Gensler's design for the Department of Homeland Security's new building in Omaha, Nebraska, recently earned "Gold" certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in the New Construction (NC) category. The one-story, 86,500 square-foot building houses U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services facilities. Gensler provided architecture and interior design services for the project, and led a team that included MEP consultant ME Group; structural/civil consultant Kirkham Michael, and general contractor The Weitz Company. Harwood & Associates developed and owns the building.
"Gensler delivered a facility that is a great place to work and visit, while incorporating the latest in security and sustainable design," said Jerry Heinauer, District Director for the Omaha office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "It sets a new standard for Federal buildings."
By setting an early goal of attaining Gold-level certification, Gensler was able to incorporate the most progressive sustainable strategies, ultimately producing a building 66% more energy-efficient than an average office building of comparable size. Daylighting techniques, including light shelves and skylights, account for a considerable portion of the energy savings. In addition, the building is wrapped around a central open-air courtyard, which provides a private and secure outdoor break area for employees while ushering daylight into the building's interior. "Some of the most sustainable strategies were also those that provided a positive work environment for employees and a welcoming and enjoyable place for visitors," said Blake Mourer, Gensler's project designer.
Other sustainable elements include geothermal heating and cooling; local, recycled, or low-VOC interior furniture, materials, and finishes; bike storage and locker rooms to encourage alternative transportation methods; rainwater harnessing devices for irrigation and plumbing use; and aggressive construction waste management. In all, the building obtains 50% of its power from renewable energy sources.
As visitors approach the facility, a two-story glass box offset by a brick surround clearly indicates the public entry without overt signage. Grand and inviting, the public face of the building is expressed by thin vertical columns supporting a deep overhang that provides shade for the all-glass façade of the building's west elevation. With a separate public drive, the approach to the building invites visitors to enjoy the outdoor landscaped courtyard, which includes seating areas and serves as a secondary waiting area.
Visitors enter through the large glass atrium and encounter a welcome desk rather than a standard security checkpoint. Here, they have the opportunity to acclimate and situate themselves, removing coats, storing umbrellas, and asking questions in the large foyer before progressing through to the building's security checkpoint. Security equipment is integrated into the millwork for a seamless transition from the lobby area through the light-filled waiting areas, which are modeled after an airport's hold-room. "The process of becoming a U.S. citizen should be a positive one," said Mourer. "In designing the public areas, we avoided things that can contribute to a negative experience, such as long lines, enclosed waiting rooms, and confusing signs. Instead, we aimed for a more humane, direct, and streamlined process."
Gensler designed the building in keeping with guidelines of the GSA's First Impressions Program, an initiative to enhance the public's perception of the Federal government by improving public spaces in Federal buildings. The guidelines recommend more identifiable entries, improved security flow, improved signage, and removal of clutter from public spaces.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_060525_Detroit
May 25th 2006
DETROIT — Wayne County Airport Authority unveiled Gensler's detailed model and architectural renderings for the new North Terminal at a public board meeting at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) today. The 824,000 square-foot, 26-gate terminal is expected to serve about 6.5 million travelers in its first year. Site preparation has begun, with a projected opening in summer 2008. The DTW North Terminal design team is led by Gensler as master architect/engineer, and includes Ghafari as associate architect/engineer, Hamilton-Anderson, and Scales Associates.
"Gensler's exciting design for the new North Terminal complements our existing airport facilities, reflecting the pride of our southeastern Michigan community while offering operating advantages to the airlines," said Lester Robinson, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority.
The design of the linear, bi-level glass and steel structure complements the architecture of the airport's four-year-old McNamara Terminal. The North Terminal's curbside façade, a 660-foot-long horizontal glass curtainwall, serves as a high-ceilinged foyer, ushering natural light into the ticketing, baggage claim, and security screening areas. The North Terminal will be built on the site of the former Davey Terminal, which has been demolished, and an old Marriott Hotel, which is being razed.
"The new North Terminal will be a light-filled and efficient modern terminal that incorporates the latest post-9/11 security enhancements while providing an enjoyable experience for everyone using the terminal," said Bill Hartman, AIA, LEED AP, design principal and managing director of Gensler's Detroit office.
Inside, the progression from ticketing and security to the gates is designed to simplify the passenger experience. Subtle design cues will alert passengers to key places, guiding them intuitively through the terminal. At the two security check-in areas at either end of the terminal, the ceiling will be lower and the area will be framed in a wood grain-like material. Unique lighting fixtures will signal important junctions, such as low-hanging globes in the food courts, and vertical pipe-like lights in the area where arriving passengers will divert to baggage claim. With the goal of smooth passenger flow and utmost convenience, 50,000 square feet of retail space will be interspersed throughout the length of the linear terminal.
Splashes of color will be used to enliven the minimally adorned space and also provide way-finding cues. A transparent, lighted blue glass wall will draw passengers into the entrance vestibule. Gate signs, carpeting and even jet bridges from gate to aircraft will also be blue. An ever-changing light pattern running the full length of the ceiling of the glass entry foyer will be visible as motorists approach the terminal.
In keeping with the project's overall sustainable approach, much of the waste from the demolished terminal and hotel is being recycled for use in the new terminal. Concrete, which made up the bulk of the old buildings, is being crushed into gravel and used for roads and ramps. Reusable iron and steel has been extracted from various parts of the old structures and is being recycled. Plumbing fixtures from the hotel were donated to Habitat for Humanity's resale shop.
The North Terminal will provide facilities for scheduled airlines, American, Air Tran, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, United, USAirways/America West, and USA 3000, as well as non-scheduled airlines such as Champion Air, Ryan Air, and others. International carriers Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Royal Jordanian will also operate from the new North Terminal.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_060518_HermanMiller
May 18th 2006
LONDON — Gensler has recently completed the new European headquarters of leading furniture designer and manufacturer, Herman Miller in Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK. The 20,000 square foot sustainable building, called the VillageGreen, incorporates the latest energy conservation strategies and has recently been accredited an Excellent BREEAM* rating.
An industry leader in environmentally responsible issues, Herman Miller charged Gensler with designing a highly sustainable facility that would combine office areas and showroom space, while allowing their 100+ staff to explore new ways of working. "We wanted to focus on sustainable and environmental issues to help us create an innovative, uplifting workplace that would inspire our clients and staff alike. The building is exceeding our expectations in terms of its impact on us and our clients," says Jeremy Hocking, international marketing vice president of Herman Miller International.
The long, narrow design complements the landscape and creates an imposing frontage for what is a relatively small building. A mainly opaque south facing stone façade extends beyond the end of the building's footprint increasing the scale and presence of the headquarters in its environment and helps create a layering of spaces from the public to the private. It also plays on the contrast between natural and engineered materials, establishing a dialogue between its setting and the interior. Full height North facing glass walls maximize the amount of light into the interior and give virtually uninterrupted views, both into and out of the building, allowing Herman Miller's new headquarters to express their brand to passing public.
"Intelligent" building design incorporates passive cooling and other environmental controls within the structure, to allow the building to breathe, thus reducing heating requirements and minimizing operational costs. Sensors monitor the temperature of the concrete slabs and open and close windows to maintain a constant temperature within the building. The concrete slabs are also used to cool the building at night. Rain is drained to an overflow-balancing pond to harvest rainwater and manage its effect on the water table.
The exterior landscape is incorporated into the design of the interior workplace. The main circulation route of the showroom and open plan office area continue angles generated by the site and solar paths to fully integrate the building into its surroundings. Natural materials, timber beams, junctions, ducts and floor slabs are exposed to demonstrate the openness of the construction. Transparency and luminosity throughout the space enhance the quality of workplace and encourages staff to collaborate and perform at their best.
Inside, Herman Miller's "customer experience journey" is based on a sequence of dynamic spaces that illustrate new ways of working and the encouragement of interaction and collaboration at all levels. Throughout the building, the company's corporate values are graphically displayed, offering a useful and thought provoking insight into its business. "Herman Miller is about creating great places for our customers, and VillageGreen reflects this goal and embodies our values in an exciting space, where we can work and communicate effectively as an international organization," said Hocking. The facility is also a valuable learning and selling tool, educating both its employees and customers on the company's heritage, knowledge, products, and services.
*BREEAM British Research Establishment (Ltd) Environmental Assessment Method has been used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. It is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.com pr_060324_GM
March 24th 2006
LONDON — Gensler has been appointed to design the new headquarters for Al-Mansour, the General Motors distributor for Egypt. Located in the heart of Cairo's rapidly evolving business district, the new building is designed to streamline Al-Mansours' business needs in the region by integrating the firm's corporate headquarters, showroom, and parts and services facilities.
In the scheme proposed by Gensler, a glazed corporate wing ascends horizontally juxtaposing a descending showroom, creating a dynamic winged structure. A moat reflects light into the showroom space, highlighting the cars as the customer approaches the entrance zone. The building offers individually tailored showroom, service, and corporate experiences that merge on the first floor lounge level, which contains terraces, retail, and cafes with generous views both through the building and beyond.
In addition to Al-Mansour, GM distributors for Egypt, Gensler has worked with many of the world's leading automotive companies designing headquarters, engineering centers, and retail dealerships among other operations. Clients include Toyota, Ford, Nissan, BMW and Volkswagen.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_060201_McGregor
February 1st 2006
ANTWERP, Belgium — McGregor has opened its first flagship family store in Europe, designed by Gensler's Retail Studio 585. Located in Antwerp, Belgium, it's the first of a series of flagship stores of at least 1,000 square feet planned for popular European cities. This store brings McGregor's men's and women's collections under one roof for the first time. The design team includes Gensler, design architect; Pinniger, lighting consultant; E&E project management B.V., Shopfitter; Kroeze Interieurbouw, fixtures.
"The concept was to create a series of individual 'stage sets' for each McGregor collection, enclosed within an overall McGregor 'envelope'," says Jon Tollit, principal of Gensler London. "Using a related but varied material and finish palette, Gensler designed the store achieving a unified look and feel while celebrating each collection in its own individual environment. These individual stage sets are separated horizontally and vertically by the McGregor blue envelope and light-coloured limestone flooring."
The store itself is on two levels, set within an historic façade along Leysstraat, the busiest shopping street in Antwerp. The ground floor men's area features walnut flooring laid in different patterns for each collection with matching walnut display units of various forms, which provide both merchandise capacity and flexibility. The ceiling planes and lighting design appropriately complement the atmosphere of each collection. Each stage set includes specially chosen furniture, wall finishes, and purpose-built mid-floor fixtures to further define the specific character of the collection. The men's formal area, for example, includes a parquet floor outlined in stainless steel representing the brand's heritage interpreted for a contemporary customer. A stitched blue leather wall serves as a backdrop to this setting.
The first floor women's area features contrasting limestone and marble floor, again laid in different patterns for each collection. The display units are constructed of painted and natural oak to achieve a lighter, more feminine atmosphere than the darker, masculine feel downstairs. Contributing to the luxurious feel of this area, the women's deluxe collection features units of black lacquer and black glass, which are lined in Thai silk and accented by polished stainless steel.
The unifying McGregor spatial components include the shop-front and display windows, a dramatic staircase inviting customers to travel between floors, and double-height spaces at both the front and rear of the store, which creates a void linking the two floors. The space also includes a series of fitting rooms, lift, stock areas, and staff rooms.
A glass-fronted mezzanine, visible from the street, is designed as a coffee area for customers to relax while shopping and to observe people in the store and on the street. The original large glazed facade has been retained to allow views deep into the store and up the new limestone stairs. The total floor area is 1,500 square feet.
About McGregor Based in the Netherlands, The McGregor fashion group holds about 90 shops and factory outlets in continental Europe. The appointment of Gensler fits the group's strategy to expand its current McGregor shop formula with family stores that facilitate a full brand experience.
McGregor recently opened a single-level men's store in Den Bosch, Holland, also designed by Gensler.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.com pr_060127_AshesSnow
January 27th 2006
Gensler Oversees World Tour of Sustainable Structure for Photography ExhibitSANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Nomadic Museum, a temporary structure housing Ashes and Snow, the traveling exhibition of large-scale photographic works by artist Gregory Colbert, opened January 14, 2006, in an area adjacent to Santa Monica's historic pier. Gensler is overseeing the installation of the 56,000-square-foot museum, which is composed of recyclable and reusable materials that will be disassembled and then reconstructed as the show travels to destinations throughout the world. The Santa Monica Nomadic Museum design team includes Shigeru Ban, principal architect; Gensler, associate architect; the RMS Group, general contractor; ARUP, structural engineer; Tenta, roof contractor; and John Picard, special consultant. The Santa Monica exhibition will be on display through May 14, 2006. Future planned stops include Tokyo, Berlin, and Paris.
Composed of 152 steel cargo containers stacked and secured in a checkerboard pattern 34 feet high, the entire exhibition is packed into 12 of those same containers as it travels from place to place. The remaining containers are borrowed at each new location, along with recycled paper tubes for the roof and reusable wooden planks and local gravel and sand for the floor, all which can be recycled after the show. Meant to reflect Gregory Colbert's subject matter -- the harmonious relationship between human beings and the natural environment -- the museum is a transitory environment that evokes the journey of the exhibition.
"Gensler's architecture and retail design expertise, along with its international presence and leadership in sustainable design, made it the logical choice to realize this project from city to city throughout the world," said Paul Hawken, president of Flying Elephants Productions, LLC, which organizes the exhibition.
In an extremely collaborative design process, Shigeru Ban and Gensler's LA-based design team kept a rigorous schedule of workshops and meetings to ensure that the design vision was successfully achieved and the considerable logistics were executed. "This is one of the most positive collaborations that I've ever been involved in," said Irwin Miller, Gensler's project director. "We've studied and incorporated aggressive sustainable design strategies and assembled a team that's dedicated to the goal of 100 percent sustainability. We're traveling to each stop on the tour, ensuring that every time the museum goes up or comes down, it's true to the nomadic, demountable, and sustainable nature of Ban's original vision."
In addition to implementing Ban's design, Gensler is providing site-specific design services, such as the design of new programmatic elements. In Santa Monica this includes a large column-free theater space and bookstore made entirely of paper components. The digital theater continually shows a one-hour, 35mm film by Colbert and edited by Oscar winner, Pietro Scalia. Varying sizes of stackable cardboard tubing serve as stools for visitors watching the film.
About Ashes and Snow Ashes and Snow is an ongoing project by Gregory Colbert, who, over the course of 14 years, has made more than 30 expeditions to India, Egypt, Burma, Tonga, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Kenya, Antarctica, India, the Azores, Borneo and many other locations to photograph unscripted interactions between man and nature's living masterpieces in their natural state. His 21st-century bestiary includes more than 40 totemic species from around the world. It is the result of a profound patience and an unswerving commitment to the expressive and artistic sensibility of animals. Ashes and Snow first opened at the Arsenale in Venice, Italy, in 2002. The show, which consisted of more than 100 large-scale photographic artworks on handmade Japanese paper and an hour-long 35mm film of Colbert's interactions with animals, attracted more than 100,000 visitors in three months.
About Shigeru Ban Japanese architect Shigeru Ban continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary architecture with the innovative use of unexpected materials and an intuitive response to space. His work includes numerous exhibition designs and buildings, including the Japanese pavilion at the renowned Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany; the Paper Tube Arch constructed in the sculpture garden of the Museum of Modern Art; the Odawara Pavilion; the Paper Museum and Paper Church in Japan; and the Paper Refugee Shelter, made of plastic sheets and paper tubes, for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In Sri Lanka, Ban built 100 houses made of earth blocks for victims of the December 2004 tsunami. Ban has also established a nongovernmental organization called the Volunteer Architects' Network, whose members design buildings to help deal with housing shortages and poor living conditions around the world. Ban's team was a finalist in the competition for the new World Trade Center in New York, and he recently won the international competition for the new Centre Pompidou in Metz, France.
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media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_051114_ChicagoConstruction
November 14th 2005
Gensler Designing Retail, Entertainment, Transportation Destination, 108 North StateCHICAGO — A groundbreaking ceremony held today marks the start of construction on 108 North State, a major mixed-use destination located in the heart of Chicago's Loop. Gensler is design architect of the 400,000 square-foot retail, entertainment, and transportation component of the project that also includes office space, a ground-level broadcast studio, a luxury hotel, and residential units. The Mills Corporation is owner and developer; Perkins + Will is architect of record for the office tower; and Rockwell Group is responsible for interior design and signage.
With the office tower and broadcasting studio expected to be completed by late 2007, and the retail, dining, and entertainment component estimated to be completed by Spring 2008, the complex will transform the parcel of land in downtown Chicago known as Block 37 into a dynamic, pedestrian-oriented hub of activity. The state-of-the-art CTA transit station will provide service to O'Hare and Midway airports.
"Our goal was to embrace and enhance the vibrant street life of Chicago's Loop," said Gensler's design director, David Epstein. Stressing visual transparency, glass facades invite visitors and integrate the development with the streetscape. The project incorporates the concepts of reflection, observation, and sight, which have been pivotal in the success of Millennium Park, where sculptures by international artists have captured the public's attention by reflecting multiple images of the city's inhabitants.
A vertical art installation on the State Street facade by artist James Carpenter will feature projected video imagery of the city with Gensler-designed stainless-steel panels on either side, which will undulate in a basket-weave pattern that reflects the buildings and street life around them. 108 North State has all of the components to become a major city icon," said Grant Uhlir, Gensler's project director. "There's no doubt this building will make downtown even more attractive to workers, residents, and visitors."
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(212) 468-4476pr_051110_GreenAward
November 10th 2005
SAN FRANCISCO — International architectural, design, and planning firm Gensler (www.gensler.com) has received the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) 2005 Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence. The annual awards program, now in its fourth year, recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that signify vision, leadership, and commitment to the evolution of Green Building Design and Construction. Individual Leadership Awards are presented in six categories including Community, Education, LEED, Organizational Excellence, Research and Advocacy, and each award category recognizes one organization and one individual. The recipients were honored today at USGBC's Annual Greenbuild Conference & Expo in a ceremony held at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA.
"The recipients of the 2005 Leadership Awards are to be congratulated," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. "The organizations and individuals represented are among the most influential green building leaders, and their achievements are bedrock to our mission of transforming the built environment."
In the category of Organizational Excellence, Gensler was recognized for "its advancement of sustainable design in the role of leader, innovator, and supporter of the successful, seamless integration of superior design and green principles. Under the direction of founder Art Gensler, Gensler explores avenues of innovation that demonstrate how a green approach can add value to clients' businesses by enhancing the public responsibility component of the corporate culture and confirming a commitment to a high-quality and healthier workplace."
Sustainable Design at Gensler
Before there was a term for it, Gensler was a champion for sustainable design as both a responsible practice and a smart design approach for client value. Milestone green projects by Gensler include Epson America, the first large-scale office building in the U.S. to use an underfloor air system for energy-efficiency and greater employee comfort, and collaboration on the Gap Corporate Campus in San Bruno, California, which set new standards for sustainability as an instrument for corporate return on investment. The recently completed Fannie Mae Urbana Technology Center in Urbana, Maryland, is the first-ever data center to obtain a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the USGBC. Other notable LEED-certified projects by Gensler include the Detroit Lions training facility, the IBM/Tivoli headquarters in Austin, Texas, and the PNC Bank branch prototype, the first retail roll-out to receive LEED certification.
Over the years, the Gensler firm has been a key participant in the USGBC's pilot programs that helped to develop guidelines for LEED certification (including guidelines for LEED 1.0, core and shell projects, and commercial interiors). Internal education on sustainable practices remains a company priority. In July 2004, Gensler ranked first place on Building Design & Construction's list of Top Building Teams in LEED-Accredited Professionals. Gensler currently has over 400 LEED accredited professionals on staff, and the firm incorporates green strategies on hundreds of projects that may not be pursuing a formal LEED certification.
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media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476
pr_051103_ExecDirectors
November 3rd 2005
SAN FRANCISCO — Leading architectural, design, and planning firm Gensler (www.gensler.com) has announced the appointment of three executive directors - Andy Cohen, David Gensler, and Diane Hoskins - to a new team charged with strategically guiding and managing the performance of the firm around the world on a day-to-day basis. Art Gensler, the firm's founder, will remain as chairman of the Board and will continue to work with clients and on specific firm initiatives. In its 40th year of business, the firm has grown to over 2,000 employees with 28 offices delivering projects across the globe from the US to the Middle East, China, and the UK.
Andy Cohen will focus on design excellence and client development, Diane Hoskins on practice development and professional development, and David Gensler on finance and operations. The three will also continue in their roles as Board members and regional managing principals, supporting client relationships across the firm. In addition, Walter Hunt was recently named vice chair of Gensler's Board of Directors and will be responsible for the administration of the Board and will lead the firm's global accounts practice area.
"I have worked with these individuals for many years, and I recognize that each of them brings a unique perspective to the multiple aspects of firm leadership," said Art Gensler. "I trust and respect them as colleagues and as friends, and I look forward to working with them in their new roles." The three executive directors will report to Gensler's Board of Directors.
This new leadership structure represents the evolution of a long-standing Gensler initiative, which began in 1990, that places an increased focus on developing leaders to support Gensler's ever growing global platform of services and practice areas. In the past 15 years, the firm has appointed several regional managing principals and local office directors, and in 2003, Gensler's Board of Directors was expanded to include twelve members.
Andy Cohen, FAIAA 25-year veteran at Gensler, Cohen serves as the Southwest Region's managing principal, overseeing offices in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Phoenix, San Diego, and Las Vegas. A true champion of design excellence, Cohen has spearheaded the growth of the firm's global design practice. A graduate of Pratt Institute in New York, he is a registered architect in 17 states and was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2005. His major projects include the San Jose Airport; San Diego Airport; numerous projects for studios including Sony, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, and Dreamworks; and MGM Project CITYCENTER, a $4.7 billion Las Vegas urban metropolis that is the largest privately funded project in the United States at this time.
David GenslerCurrently Gensler's chief operating officer and managing principal overseeing Gensler's Firmwide Resource groups, David Gensler joined the firm in 1992. He served as London office managing principal and started the Gensler Information Services (GIS) and Consulting practices. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. His major projects at Gensler include shaping 2010 Vision, a plan that is guiding the firm's business strategy over the current decade, and organizing and leading Gensler's Annual Supermeeting, which brings together office and practice area leaders from across the firm.
Diane Hoskins, AIAAs Gensler's Southeast Regional managing principal, Hoskins oversees offices in Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Arlington, and Atlanta. A registered architect, she joined Gensler in 1994, where she founded, and continues to lead, the firm's global Workplace Task Force. She received her undergraduate degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and an MBA from the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California at Los Angeles. Her major projects include Armstrong Headquarters, HUD Next Door, Discovery Communications Headquarters, Amtrak, Department of State, Bear Sterns, and Eisner Communications.
Walter Hunt, FAIAWith Gensler since 1974, and after serving as a managing principal in New York, Walter Hunt oversees the operational activities of the firm's Leadership 2003 Program. He relocated to New York in 1985 from the Denver office, where he was managing principal for seven years. Hunt earned a bachelor's degree and masters of architecture from Yale University. He co-chaired the capital campaign for the new Center for Architecture and currently is president of the Center for Architecture Foundation. His major projects include the strategic program for the Riyad Bank New Head Office Building in Saudi Arabia, the facility design and construction standards for Bancomer in Mexico, strategic building planning guidelines for the State of Israel, the award-winning Toys 'R' Us store in Times Square, the Comcast Headquarters in Philadelphia. Additionally, Hunt is a key member of the Executive Architect team for the MGM Project CITYCENTER in Las Vegas.
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(212) 468-4476pr_050804_DataCenter
August 4th 2005
URBANA, Md. — Fannie Mae Urbana Technology Center (UTC), an environmentally sustainable 247,000 square-foot data center and office building designed by Gensler (www.gensler.com), was dedicated today in Frederick County, Maryland, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The UTC has earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making the data center the first of this type of facility in the country to obtain a LEED rating. Gensler provided architecture, interior design, and LEED coordination services for the project; Holder Construction was the general contractor; EYP Mission Critical Facilities was the MEP engineer; CS Technology was the technology engineer; Haynes Whaley Associates was the structural engineer; and Rodgers Consulting was the civil engineer.
The data center and office building is part of Fannie Mae's operations strategy in the greater Washington, DC, area, ensuring full-time availability of systems under a wide range of business scenarios. The UTC, which will support 250 employees, includes operations and command center functions, and workspace.
"By forging the way for green data centers, Fannie Mae and Gensler have pioneered a new building type for sustainability," said Max Zahniser, LEED New Construction Certification manager of the USGBC. "It's a considerable achievement and an important contribution to help advance green building into the mainstream."
Designing a data center to meet LEED requirements set forth unique challenges, not only because there was no model to follow, but also because data centers require significant electrical loads to provide adequate support for computers, security lighting, and power redundancy. "We had to be creative in boosting the sustainability factor in every aspect of this project - from selecting only the most energy efficient systems to recycling construction waste at the project's end," said Joseph Lauro, senior project architect of UTC at Gensler. "We were able to reduce overall energy consumption by 20 percent."
All mechanical, electrical, and computer systems selected are rated for maximum energy efficiency. Additionally, in examining the facility's security lighting standards, the team determined it could reduce lighting by 50 percent while maintaining the same high level of security, resulting in energy and monetary savings. "Gensler balanced our need for a state-of-the-art data center and offices to enhance our production capabilities with our commitment to corporate responsibility," said Brian Cobb, Fannie Mae's senior vice president for enterprise systems management. "The Urbana Technology Center's LEED certification will translate into significant life-cycle savings, while providing our employees with a healthier, more comfortable work environment. It also allows us to be a good neighbor within the local community."
Interior materials were also selected for their sustainable features. For example, paint and carpeting are low-VOC (volatile organic compound), and countertops are composed of recycled material and sustainable wood. The UTC's construction used certified wood, with 20 percent of construction materials purchased from local businesses. Eighty percent of construction waste was recycled. To improve indoor environmental quality, daylight is incorporated into 75 percent of the interior spaces occupied by people, with building overhangs and roller shades to block solar glare. By placing workstations at the perimeter and offices with transparent fronts around the building core, 90 percent of the employees will have outside views. Additionally, natural daylighting reduces building energy consumption by seven percent.
A number of strategies were employed to minimize the facility's impact on the site and local community. The site is landscaped with native and drought-tolerant plants to conserve water. The irrigation design uses water from captured rain and evaporator cooling towers, saving an estimated 13,000 gallons of municipal water per day. To limit vehicular traffic to the Center, Fannie Mae provides a shuttle service from its Washington, DC, headquarters connecting employees to the UTC, along with bicycle storage areas and changing rooms, and priority carpool parking. Installation of a synthetic white rubber roof contributes to the reduction of the Heat Island Effect. Other sustainable strategies for the UTC include supplying 100 percent of the building's electric power from a utility that uses a renewable resource for generating electricity.
The UTC's location in Urbana, MD, a historic residential community, influenced design decisions. "Fannie Mae prides itself on being a good neighbor," said Lauro. "So our design both treads lightly on the local environment and respects the community's established aesthetic; the building looks like its always been here." The building's granite exterior, brickwork, and wrought iron fencing are in harmony with the local building vernacular.
Sustainable Design at GenslerOther notable LEED-certified projects by Gensler include the Detroit Lions training facility, the IBM/Tivoli headquarters in Austin, Texas, and the PNC Bank branch prototype, the first retail roll-out to receive LEED certification. Gensler currently has 14 LEED-registered projects on the boards and 19 that intend to register, including airports, such as the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport; workplaces, such as the Bank of America Tower, in New York; government buildings, such as the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Naturalization Service facility in Omaha; and education and research facilities, such as the Rivers & Estuaries Center in Beacon, New York. Gensler now has over 400 LEED accredited professionals. At the same time, Gensler incorporates green strategies on hundreds of projects that may not be pursuing a formal LEED certification.
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(212) 468-4476pr_050802_LifetimeAward
August 2nd 2005
SAN FRANCISCO — M. Arthur Gensler, Jr., chairman of global architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ernst & Young LLP at the firm's annual Northern California Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards ceremony held June 17 in San Francisco. As winner, Art is eligible for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2005 national award.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual whose extraordinary entrepreneurial achievements, creativity, leadership, and vision have established a new industry that enhances the rapid growth of the world economy. Mr. Gensler was selected by an independent panel of judges comprising local business, academic, and community leaders.
Mr. Gensler is widely credited with pioneering a core practice in corporate workplace interiors, creating a wholly new profession distinct from residential interiors, which quickly became the fastest growing part of the architecture industry. Embracing this new discipline allowed the Gensler firm to expand rapidly and diversify its focus, developing interdisciplinary practices in airports, office buildings, educational facilities, and mixed-use projects. Today, the firm - consistently ranked among the leading architecture and design firms in the world - employs 2,000 professionals and completes 4,000 projects a year for 1,600 clients.
"I started this firm 40 years ago with a single client and a belief that work settings could - and should - be designed to support a firm's business goals. That notion caught on, and today the benefits of a strategically designed workplace are undeniable," said Mr. Gensler. I couldn't be more proud of what the firm has accomplished, or more excited about where we're headed. I greatly appreciate this honor."
Winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 19, 2005.
About The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Program The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.
About Ernst & Young Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to restoring the public's trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 100,000 people in 140 countries around the globe pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism to provide clients with solutions based on financial, transactional, and risk-management knowledge in Ernst & Young's core services of Audit, Tax, and Transaction Advisory Services. Ernst & Young practices also provide legal services in some parts of the world where permitted. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to all the members of the global Ernst & Young organization.
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media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_050721_UKoffices
July 21st 2005
New Research Reveals the Hidden Cost of the Real British OfficeLONDON — Poorly designed offices could be cutting UK productivity by a fifth, costing British business up to £135 billion every year, according to new research by international architects, Gensler (www.gensler.com).
Gensler's These Four Walls: The Real British Office report is based on research amongst senior and middle managers in the legal, financial services and media sectors. Professionals claimed that an improved workplace would increase employee productivity by 19% - an improvement equivalent to a £135 billion annual increase in the UK's service sector output (1).
The research also highlights the importance of office design to job satisfaction, recruitment and retention with four in five (79%) professionals considering the quality of their working environment very important to job satisfaction and more than one third stating that the working environment has been a factor in accepting or rejecting a job offer.
However, British business is missing out on potential productivity gains, with the majority of professionals citing minimising costs as the main driver behind their office design. A shocking 58% of professionals believe their office has not been designed to support their company's business objectives or their own job function.
Britain's offices are not highly rated, according to the study. Only half (52%) of those surveyed rate their working environment as above average, whilst close to one fifth (19%) would actually be embarrassed to show customers their office.
Gary Wheeler, director of workplace, Gensler, said: "The challenge for 21st Century business is to increase knowledge worker productivity. Our research shows that good office design can increase such productivity by nearly 20% - equivalent to an £135 billion annual increase in UK service sector output."
"Office design is a crucial factor in job satisfaction, staff recruitment and retention. Poor office design in the UK is a false economy. The cost of providing accommodation for office workers is dwarfed by the cost of their salaries - companies must recognise that the influence of the office on their staff in terms of increased productivity and effectiveness will have a much greater financial impact than the cost of office accommodation."
Sir George Cox, chairman, Design Council, said: "This report confirms what I have long believed, that the design of the workplace is far more than a question of making efficient use of space."
Notes to Editors
These Four Walls: Research MethodologyResearch was conducted on Gensler's behalf by independent business-to-business research specialists, Vanson Bourne. Two hundred middle and senior managers were interviewed in the UK between 14 and 31 of March 2005. They were drawn at random from legal, media and financial services sectors.
The Workplace Productivity Equation: According to this new research, professionals in the services sector estimate that "a better working environment would increase employee productivity" by 19%. If we multiply the service sector GVA (Gross Value Added - latest available figure, 2003) by 19% the results are as follows (2):
(%Productivity increase x UK Service Sector GVA) - UK Service Sector GVA = £Productivity Increase
(1.19 x £709 907 million*) - £709 907 million = £134 882 million (£135 billion, where billion means a thousand million)
(1) See Research Methodology
(2) Figures taken from UK National Accounts, Blue Book 2004, UK service sector GVA, Section 2.3 page 112
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.compr_050614_HalstedConstruction
June 14th 2005
New Chicago Community Center Concept Includes Retail CHICAGO — The Center on Halstead (COH) breaks ground today on a unique 175,000-square-foot facility designed by Gensler that combines community and retail functions. The new $24 million building will house the Center, a Whole Foods grocery store and an underground parking garage. Located in the city's Lakeview neighborhood, the three-story building at 3656 North Halsted is scheduled to open in autumn of 2007 and will set new standards for environmentally responsible community centers.
The COH will be the building's owner, providing organizational support and programming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups. Mesirow Financial is the COH's owner representative. Bond Companies is the developer for Whole Foods, the building's retail tenant. Power Construction Company is the building's contractor, and Gensler the design architect and architect of record.
"This building has impacted and changed lives before a door's gone up or a bolt's in place," said Robbin Burr, the center's executive director. "Not only are we creating the Midwest's premier community center for LGBT persons and their allies, we're introducing a retail experience that benefits a much broader community. As a result of this partnership, the Center will function as a bridge between communities and individuals."
The Center will offer office and meeting space to more than 40 Chicago-area community organizations, counseling and drop-in space for youth and older adults, gallery space, cultural programming, and recreation space. Basketball and volleyball courts are planned, along with a performance space and rooftop garden dedicated to City of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
While the Center establishes a new benchmark for LGBT centers, the building's design exhibits the COH's commitment to environmentally responsible design and construction. With a $75,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, COH is working with Gensler and Power Construction to design an energy-efficient building that features natural ventilation, daylighting, carbon dioxide monitoring, rainwater reclamation, and recyclable and renewable materials. The new building will create a healthier environment for its users while reducing its overall energy consumption, according to Gensler's project principal Grant Uhlir.
"The Center is on the cutting edge of green architecture for community centers," said Uhlir. "It will be a model for all those interested in building responsibly and with the best interests of the entire community in mind."
Burr said she is proud that the Center's environmentally sustainable architecture aligns with the COH's commitment to social responsibility by providing a nurturing and healthy environment.
"Being good stewards of all our resources is complementary to the Center's mission," Burr said. "Through this building, we're helping the community by reducing our energy use and by serving as a model for others to learn about energy efficient buildings."
The greatest challenge for the designers was unifying the disparate functional and social needs of the building's two users. For the Center, the building objective was to present a distinctive public face, while also incorporating programming for private counseling and educational spaces. At the same time, designers had to account for the retail requirements of Whole Foods, whose rent will fund a portion of the Center's ongoing program initiatives.
"The Center challenged us to provide them with a building that is immediately recognizable in the Lakeview neighborhood," said Elva Rubio, Gensler's project design director. "Simultaneously, we had to develop a design that encompasses the building's varied civic and retail uses."
Gensler was tasked with creating a visible street presence for both Whole Foods on the first floor and the community center above. The designers studied brick and fabric patterns to create a façade that weaves the building elements (existing and new, retail and community center), into a singular structure, while alluding to the pattern of an AIDS quilt.
As the Midwest's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social service agency, Center on Halsted has provided a wide array of counseling, support, referral, advocacy and educational programs for more than 25 years, and is a United Way Member Agency.
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(212) 468-4476pr_050523_StewartAIA
May 23rd 2005
SAN FRANCISCO — RK Stewart, FAIA, a principal at Gensler...Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide, was elected to serve as the 2006 American Institute of Architects (AIA) first vice president/president-elect and 2007 Institute president-elect-elect. The election took place on May 20 during the AIA National Convention in Las Vegas, NV. In 2007, the organization, with a current membership of nearly 75,000 licensed architects, will mark its 150th anniversary representing the nation's architects.
In his role as 2007 AIA president, RK will leverage his expertise and experience to increase the profession's overall value to society through the AIA's focus on advocacy, community, and knowledge. He will work to broaden the architectural profession through greater support for emerging professionals and to promote diversity within its ranks. RK hopes to see the industry enhance its influence through new ways of constructing a more sustainable built environment. He hopes this effort will be led by design professionals who utilize their creativity and expertise to design and build projects more efficiently, while incorporating strategies and elements that are sustainable, more economical, and of higher quality. By guiding the profession toward active engagement with government through advocacy efforts, he hopes the industry will play a greater role in creating "livable communities" across the nation.
"The greatest strength of the AIA is its power to shape the future of our profession and the communities in which we live," said RK. "With a renewed focus and unified voice, the AIA can achieve new levels of influence at the local, state, and national levels."
RK's leadership within the AIA has spanned several years. He is a two-term AIA national vice president, a former AIA regional director, and a former AIA San Francisco and AIA California Council president. Representing architects, RK has worked closely with allied organizations such as the American Institute of Architecture Students and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He has served on numerous committees, including the AIA's National Codes and Standards Committee, the Integrated Practice Strategy Group, the Intern Development Program Coordinating Committee, and the A/E Productivity Task Group. During his first vice presidential term, RK focused on issues related to emerging professionals, and he was later asked to lead advocacy initiatives in 2005.
"The architecture industry can play an even greater role in creating healthy and vibrant communities that benefit society as a whole by increasing government advocacy efforts," said Stewart. "I look forward to serving and supporting the AIA and its members, as well as being actively involved in the Institute's 150th anniversary celebration in 2007 that coincides with my term as president."
To improve the communities in which Gensler practices, Stewart has been involved in advocacy efforts across the state of California and the nation to impact building and planning regulations. RK's contributions to the architectural profession were recognized with his investiture in the American Institute of Architects' College of Fellows in 2001. Additionally, he has been recognized by the industry with such awards as the Octavius Morgan Distinguished Service Award, the Preservation Design Award, the U.S. Institute of Theater Technology Award, and the First Place award in the 18th Interiors Magazine Awards for Public Spaces & Entertainment.
RK Stewart joined Gensler in 1988, bringing extensive experience in large-scale mixed-use projects, renovation and restoration projects, and high-rise office towers. As a principal in Gensler's San Francisco office, RK has managed several of the firm's largest architectural projects, applying his expertise in the architectural design, development, and documentation process as well as his understanding of engineering disciplines. His experience in complex regulatory approval processing makes him a firmwide resource for planning code, building code, historic preservation, and similar issues. As a rotating member of Gensler's Management Committee in 2000 - 2001, RK led the development of improvements in the firm's Design and Delivery Systems, including technical, specifications, CAD, project management, and learning committees.
The Stewart family lives in San Anselmo, CA, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Stewart received his architectural education at the University of Kansas and the University of Michigan.
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(212) 468-4476pr_050516_CityCenter
May 16th 2005
MGM MIRAGE Project is Largest Privately Funded Project in U.S.LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Gensler... Architecture, Design, and Planning Worldwide, www.gensler.com, announced this week that it has been named executive architect managing Project CITYCENTER, MGM MIRAGE's planned $4.7 billion Las Vegas urban metropolis and the most significant privately funded project in the United States at this time. Scheduled to open in 2009, the 66-acre site will be developed into a master-planned urban complex with a variety of avenues, places and experiences. Responsible for managing the entire master plan and program, Gensler will team with MGM MIRAGE's Design Group coordinating and collaborating with residential developers, hotel operators, and retailers and a host of world-renowned architects.
"CITYCENTER represents a new paradigm of urban planning and design," said Andy Cohen, FAIA, managing principal of Gensler's Los Angles office and lead principal on the project. "It reflects MGM MIRAGE's sophisticated vision, and it has the critical mass to propel Las Vegas to another level."
The planned development of 22 million square-feet of space includes a 4,000-room hotel and casino, as well as three 400-room boutique hotels, approximately 550,000 square feet of retail shops, dining and entertainment venues, and 1,650 units of luxury condominium and private residence clubs.
Jim Murren, MGM MIRAGE's president and chief financial officer, said, "We're creating our own urban environment. It's a fairly dramatic departure for Las Vegas and for our company." In addition to an outdoor retail area, residential units will create a city-like atmosphere.
Located at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, the site of Project CITYCENTER will serve as a critical link between Bellagio on the north and a series of the company's properties to the south, Monte Carlo being the closest.
Sven Van Assche, vice president of design for MGM MIRAGE Design Group, said, "We conducted an extensive search to find the firm that could handle the enormous task of managing a project of this size, complexity, and aggressive schedule. Gensler was the only company we felt could bring this project to the finish line."
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(212) 468-4476pr_050516_DubaiRitz
May 16th 2005
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Construction of a new Ritz Carlton luxury hotel has started at the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in Dubai. The new 14-storey hotel, designed by Gensler, is set to become a premier destination for executives visiting the city.
The hotel will provide 340 guestrooms and suites, 124 serviced apartments, and 70,000 square feet of retail space and associated parking. Gensler was appointed to design the scheme by Union Properties, a major developer in the region engaged in a variety of residential, commercial, and recreational projects.
"We have presented an urban solution which reflects Ritz's longstanding tradition and complements DIFC's urban design also by Gensler. We believe the hotel will enhance life in the inner city and give further credibility to the district," said Christopher Johnson, managing principal of Gensler London.
The new Ritz Carlton will be adjacent to the DIFC Gate Building (also by Gensler) and linked to it by a covered retail arcade. Completion is schedule for late 2008.
Perfectly situated between the financial centres of Europe and Asia, the DIFC aims to become a leading financial centre in the tradition of those in New York, London, and Hong Kong. The project, which combines clusters of mixed-use office, retail, restaurant, entertainment, and residential developments, will create a new central business district for the long-term growth of the city.
Contact: Alessandra Almeida
020 7073 9928
alessandra_almeida@gensler.com pr_050322_Nextel
March 22nd 2005
High-Profile Las Vegas Monorail Station Provides Immersive Brand ExperienceLAS VEGAS, Nev. — Gensler...Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide has won 1st place in the Manufacturer's Showroom category in the Institute of Store Planners/VM+SD International Store Design Competition for its work on Nextel Central, a 15,000-square-foot monorail station in Las Vegas. The station, which is an all-in-one transit station, product showroom, flagship retail store, and flexible exhibition/meeting space, is adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Gensler provided architecture, interior design, and graphics and branding services. Marnell Corrao Associates was the general contractor; Carter Burgess was the structural engineer for the core and shell; and KPFF was the structural engineer for the interiors.
"Gensler took what was important to us — communicating our brand, serving our existing customers, growing our business, and fitting in and competing in Las Vegas — and integrated it all into one amazing space," said Bob Halcrow, vice president, general manager, Southern Nevada, Nextel.
The needs of three distinct visitor groups — the Monorail user, new Nextel users, and existing customers - drove an interior design concept, the "Ribbon," that focuses on addressing daily transit circulation while providing a stimulating visitor experience. The Ribbon snakes through the expansive open space created by the shell and core of the station, with a swooping ceiling that simulates the speed of transportation. It begins at the entry escalator and curves around the various programmatic spaces, guiding visitors through a spiraling form into the heart of Nextel's West Coast Center of Excellence, which showcases newly developed concepts, products, and applications in a gallery-like setting.
Nextel Central includes an entry lobby and welcome desk; an adjoining wireless lounge featuring a "Nexpert" desk where customers can ask questions about Nextel products; a 1,500 square-foot flagship retail store; 3,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that accommodates groups of 10 to 150 people; staff offices; a concierge and business solutions center; a VIP lounge and meeting room; and an exterior balcony with views of the Las Vegas Strip. Nextel Central connects travelers to the public transit station one level below as well as directly to the street and convention center parking lot with escalators and pedestrian bridges.
"The exterior of Nextel Central marries the visual vernacular of its six sister stations along the Las Vegas Monorail route with an expression of the Nextel brand," said JF Finn of Gensler's Los Angeles office and architectural designer of the Nextel and Las Vegas Monorail stations. The building's form references the typology of the monorail train itself. The palette of steel, glass, and polished metal panels, along with the building's tubular shape, recall the sleek trains. The signature arcing roof provides a shield from the harsh sun, while allowing desirable light in from the north and clerestories.
Gensler's design of Nextel Central coincided with a brand refresh by TBWA/Chiat/Day and resulted in a highly collaborative and interactive process. Additionally, in the course of exploring what the space could be, Nextel Central evolved from a Monorail station with Nextel-sponsored signage, to include a fuller brand experience that the second level multi-use space offers.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_050310_OnePowell
March 10th 2005
Retail, Apartments, and Banking Occupy Renovated 1920's Building at City's Busiest Corner SAN FRANCSICO — Forever 21, the quickly growing clothing and accessory retailer for trend savvy shoppers, not only celebrates the opening of its new flagship store and 21st anniversary, but also breathes life back into its new San Francisco home: the 1921 building, One Powell. Gensler...Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide restored and converted the single-tenant, 100,000 square-foot structure, creating a mixed-use eight-story building that includes the three-story Forever 21 flagship store, a basement-level state-of-the-art retail and merchant banking center for Bank of America, and five stories of loft apartment housing in a prime downtown location situated at the intersection of Market and Powell Streets.
Gensler's services included architectural renovation, interior design with Forever 21 and Bank of America, and oversight of specialist consultants including engineers and historic preservation experts. Wilson Meany Sullivan is the developer of the project, which was recently acquired by SPI Holdings of San Francisco, who will now begin the lease-up of the loft units. San Francisco Engineers Nishkian Menninger were responsible for structural design, Page & Turnbull were the project's Preservation Architects, and MBH Architects provided interior design for the apartment units.
The building is located at the heart of an important crossroad of retail and tourist activity, where the Powell Street cable car turnaround creates a hub of tourism year-round. "The renovation of One Powell is a strategic component in San Francisco's civic improvement plan. Restoring the historic elegance of One Powell has enhanced this important pedestrian corner," said Scott Dunlap, managing director of Gensler's San Francisco office. "Additionally, the retail presence in combination with the apartments adds a fresh new dynamic to the area for tourists and residents alike."
One Powell, which was originally constructed as the headquarters for the Bank of Italy, now known as the Bank of America, is designated as a Category I historic building by the city of San Francisco - the highest level of recognition for historic structures given by the city. Close collaboration with Page & Turnbull Preservation Architects, the San Francisco Planning Department, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Park Service, was required to ensure that the building's original American Renaissance façade and significant characteristics of the grand banking hall were maintained.
"The renovation approach to the project focused not only on repairing the building's damage from years of use, but also on creating a new space that would entice retail tenants to the location," said Joyce Cortez of Wilson Meany Sullivan. "We believe that in some cases reinventing a building may be the best way to save it."
The Bank of America retail and merchant banking center, which still uses the building's original bank vault, occupies the 11,000 square-foot basement level, with a new entrance lobby on Hallidie Plaza. Forever 21 comprises of 30,000 square feet on the ground level, mezzanine level, and third floor, with an entrance at the building's historic main entrance at the foot of Powell Street. Forty-four loft apartment units occupy the top five floors.
"We found ways to maximize the space, making it practical and usable by today's standards while respecting and enhancing the historic structure," said Maureen Boyer, project manager for Gensler who oversaw both the retail and the architectural design of the project. For example, an existing mezzanine level above the main banking rotunda was extended from what was previously merely a perimeter catwalk to create a functioning second floor, which provides necessary seismic stability, better circulation, and at the same time breaks-up the enormous banking hall. "The goal of the entire project team was to renovate the building while making it adaptable for future needs. A priority was to leave the stunning original Italianate ceiling, floor, and walls fully exposed," said Boyer.
"With One Powell being our fifth flagship store, we knew immediately how important location is to the success of the business and were immediately drawn to this incredible space," said Larry Meyer, senior vice president, Forever 21. "Our interior design team together with Gensler created a spectacular look and feel in the new store," said Meyer. "We are known for our fast fashion and low prices, but customers also look forward to the sophisticated shopping environment we offer as well," he added.
As a collaborative design team, Gensler and Forever 21 created a store concept that integrates a hip, energetic design into the context of this 30,000 square-foot jewel-box setting. Custom glass chandeliers greet customers as they enter the two-story rotunda, complementing and drawing attention to the intricate details of the historic ceiling. Other fixtures, such as arched display cases with sparkling reflective finishes that follow the form of the building's original window frames, respectfully reference historic characteristics of the building with modern punch. "It's a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the design teams that they were able to build a space that mixes a new look with the historic," said Boyer. "Together we truly appreciated the elegant 1920's building and worked to showcase it, while maintaining Forever 21's well-known sleek store design."
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_050209_Principals
February 9th 2005
SAN FRANCISCO — Gensler...Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide announces the promotion of 9 new Principals of the firm. The promotions are made on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding client service, innovation, contribution to the Gensler organization, and community participation. This year the Gensler firm also appointed 63 Senior Associates and 115 Associates across a network of 28 offices. See www.gensler.com for additional information on all the 2005 Gensler appointments. The new Gensler Principals (with home office) are:
James S. Camp, AIA, LEED AP, Baltimore, MDWith over 23 years of design and planning experience, Jim Camp co-directs Gensler's Baltimore office. Jim has led the Baltimore team in expanding both the geographic reach and the breadth of services offered to financial services clients, law firms, developers and defense-related companies in Baltimore, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware. Jim's professional focus is workplace architecture, with a specialization in high technology projects, including incubators and research & development facilities. His significant projects include the corporate headquarters for T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., an award-winning incubator for Optical Capital Group, and campus planning and corporate headquarters for Armstrong World Industries. Before joining Gensler in 1995, Jim was involved in both custom interiors and base building design, including institutional work for state and federal clients such as the University of Maryland, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the General Services Administration. Jim is a Registered Architect, is a LEED-accredited professional, and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Catholic University of America.
Robert Cataldo, RA, New York, NYRobert Cataldo joined Gensler in 1986 to work on a J.P. Morgan & Co. headquarters project. Since then, Robert has taken on many roles in Gensler's New York office. As a Design Director for eight years, he led design teams from conceptual brainstorming and visioning through detailed design development and implementation on a number of workplace projects. In 1996 he assumed the management role of Studio Director to oversee large-scale projects for major clients and a variety of different project types. Robert currently directs a workplace studio, producing award-winning projects for clients from retail, professional services firms, advertising and media industries. Robert holds both a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, and Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Cincinnati.
J.F. Finn III, AIA, Las Vegas, NVFor over 21 years, J.F. Finn has been instrumental in the success of a wide range of planning and architectural projects, including large-scale community master plans, transit facilities, civic buildings, and mixed-use developments. Since joining Gensler in 1988, J.F. has focused on large-scale, multidisciplinary projects and land use planning, combining long-range vision with a bottom-line approach to public and private sector planning goals and objectives. Representative projects include: Nextel Central at The Las Vegas Convention Center; RTC Las Vegas Resort Corridor Fixed Guideway Project EIS; San Jose International Airport APM Transit Connector; LA to Pasadena Metro Rail Gold Line; and Las Vegas Monorail. A Registered Architect, J.F. holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Conservancy, Museum of Contemporary Art, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Southern California Planning Congress.
Gerald C. Gehm, AIA, Houston , TXJerry Gehm has focused his 25-year career on problem-solving and managing complex and multifaceted projects. While the majority of his experience is in corporate facility design, it also includes strategic facility planning and building design consultation. He has an extensive portfolio of projects for clients in the fields of energy, professional services, technology, finance, and health care. As Project Director, Jerry has primary responsibility for managing the client relationship and for overseeing the work of all team members and consultants. He earned both a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Syracuse University. A Registered Architect, Jerry is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Rice Design Alliance, an associate member of the International Facility Management Association, and Director of the DePelchin Children's Center.
Edward A. Grun, AIA, Houston, TXHaving joined Gensler in 2000, Ed Grun has more than 27 years of professional experience in hospitality, corporate, and commercial architecture. Currently Co-Director of Gensler's Hospitality Practice, Ed has served in the roles of Principal, Project Manager, Project Designer, and Project Architect for notable hotels including Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental, Gaylord Hotels, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, and Wildflower Resorts. Ed has also been responsible for the design delivery of corporate headquarters, office buildings, industrial facilities, and projects for clients in the areas of finance, government, and business. A Registered Architect and Registered Interior Designer, Ed is a member of the American Institute of Architects. His projects have received numerous recognitions, including two Urban Land Institute Design of Excellence Awards, three Landmark Building Design Awards, and a BOMA Building Renovation of the Year Award. Ed holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design (Magna Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi) from Texas A&M University.
Steven J. Martin, AIA, Washington, DCSteve Martin directs Gensler's law firm practice in the Southeast region and has a long-term, loyal following of clients who value his strategic insight and excellent communication abilities. With over 24 years of experience in large and complex strategic planning and design projects, Steve serves as primary client contact and Project Director for a diverse group of law firms, and he leads teams from developing detailed strategic plans to creating efficient workplaces that meet his clients' ever-changing needs. Steve was a featured speaker at the IFMA 2003 World Workplace in Dallas, presenting, "Keys to Strategic Planning Success." He received a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (Chairman of the AIA Facilities Management Knowledge Community Advisory Group) and International Facility Management Association. He is both a Registered Architect and LEED 2.0 Accredited Professional.
Ernest Muñoz, AIA, Charlotte, NCFormerly a leader of Gensler's architecture practice in Washington, D.C., Ernie Muñoz became Co-Director of Gensler's Charlotte office in 2004. He has been instrumental in building teams to serve financial, corporate, and development clients in the Carolinas, and has worked with clients such as T. Rowe Price, the U.S. General Services Administration, and Charles E. Smith. Ernie has been responsible for the successful project management of large-scale urban and suburban architecture and interior architecture projects in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, and Texas. He has developed an expertise in developing the technical overlay to complex design projects for both the public and private sector, and he works directly with owners and contractors to insure that budgets and schedules are met while preserving the highest level of design integrity. Ernie earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University and is a Registered Architect and member of the American Institute of Architects.
Jon Tollit, London, UKJon Tollit joined Gensler in 2001 as Technical Director and Design Leader for Gensler's Studio 585. In this capacity, Jon leads members of the London Studio 585 in delivering projects related to brand strategy, retail environments, environmental communications, signage & wayfinding, and multimedia communications. He has been directly involved with Nike projects in both concept and implementation, and last year Jon led the successful implementation of Apple Computer's first European flagship store on Regent Street in London. His wide-ranging experience on high-profile projects includes new build, refurbishments, and interior fit-outs. Jon earned a Bachelor of Art with honors and a Diploma in Architecture with commendation from Leicester Polytechnic. He is an ARB Registered Architect and a member of the Chartered Society of Designers.
James Williamson, IIDA, Washington, DCAs one of Gensler's firmwide workplace practice leaders, Jim Williamson excels at helping clients transform their workplaces for higher productivity and performance. He brings great clarity to complex issues, assuring streamlined process and projects for such long-term clients as Discovery Communications and Ernst & Young. Jim has provided strategic master planning, resource development and allocation, quality assurance, and standards development and maintenance for clients in the fields of professional services, finance, media/entertainment, government, and telecommunications. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Maryland.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476pr_050115_TokyoDirector
January 15th 2005
SAN FRANCISCO — Nachiko Yamamoto has joined Gensler...Architecture, Design & Planning Worldwide (www.gensler.com) as managing director for the Tokyo office. With over 25 years of award-winning experience in architecture and design, Nachiko will be responsible for design management of the 28-person Tokyo office.
"Nachiko brings to the Tokyo office what is uniquely Gensler from a design and cultural perspective," said Dan W. Winey, managing principal of Gensler's Northwest region, which includes offices in San Francisco, San Ramon, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Shanghai. "Nachiko returns to Gensler after working in our New York office. She is an excellent leader who combines knowledge of management, the architectural profession, and Gensler culture. She represents the truly international nature of Gensler."
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to re-join Gensler. With the knowledge I gained from my time with the New York office of Gensler, I see unlimited possibilities in working with the Tokyo office of Gensler in my native Japan," stated Nachiko.
The Tokyo office, formerly directed by San Francisco-based Gensler Principal Michael Wiener, provides a broad diversity of design services. Recent work ranges from projects for financial clients (including Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse First Boston), to such major interior design projects as the Japan Headquarters of ExxonMobil and Vodafone. Working with the talented local Gensler staff in Tokyo, Michael led that office's involvement with a two million-sf development for Ministries at the Government Center of Tokyo, flagship dealerships around the world for Nissan, and a one million-sf family-focused shopping center in northeast Tokyo. Michael returns to Gensler San Francisco while continuing to develop the firm's Asian and international networks and strengthening Gensler's position with multi-locational global clients.
Nachiko Yamamoto comes to Gensler from INARCH in New York, where as Managing Director she led project management, business development, and financial strategy. She successfully enhanced INARCH's presence in China by not only leading international design competition initiatives for the firm, but also by leveraging her previous experience with joint venture projects in Japan. Nachiko attended the Graduate School of Architecture at Pratt Institute and majored in Display & Exhibition Design at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. With an architectural license in both the United States and Japan, combined with a Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Nachiko has a unique understanding of cross-cultural architectural practice. Her work has been published in Contract Magazine, Shinkenchiku, and Nikkei Architecture.
Contact:
media@gensler.com
(212) 468-4476January 30th 2012
Hotel Interactive hosts Best-Santos for a Q&A on hospitality design trends
January 30th 2012
The nationwide transformation of GMC and Buick showrooms in
3D Car ShowsJanuary 30th 2012
The Boston Globe on MGM’s selection of Gensler for its Rolling Hills Resort casino
January 26th 2012
Mizell speaks to
MSNBC on the world’s first airport yoga room at SFO T2
January 25th 2012
Chicago Tonight airs a segment on the 1871 center for next-generation tech firms
January 23rd 2012
Hospitality Design spotlights the improved look of the Millford Plaza Hotel
January 23rd 2012
The
Chicago Tribune on a Girl Scouts’ office helping “build future female leaders”
January 19th 2012
The
Houston Business Journal covers Andarko’s office tower announcement
January 18th 2012
The
Chicago Sun-Times reports on a new tech center to open this spring
January 18th 2012
New “1871” Merchandise Mart-based tech center features in the
Chicago TribuneJanuary 11th 2012
Gensler is tops for architecture firms in
GreenBiz.com’s “LEED pros” list
January 7th 2012
The
Las Vegas Review-Journal on Zappos hiring Gensler to design its HQ
January 6th 2012
PaperCity on the “new chapter” opened for Houston’s Julia Ideson Library
January 6th 2012
The
AIA selects HyundaiCard Air Lounge among 2012 Award winners
January 5th 2012
Hyundai Motor America’s new headquarters announcement in
AutoblogJanuary 4th 2012
NBCUniversal’s announcement of a new L.A. broadcast center in
The Hollywood ReporterJanuary 1st 2012
Colyer in the
Houston Chronicle on the city’s plans for its convention district
January 1st 2012
Hotel Sorella named to
Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List: World’s Best Places to Stay”
January 1st 2012
Building Design + Construction profiles Gensler’s “one-firm firm” culture
January 1st 2012
gb&d showcases “a redefinition of hospitality” in the Art Deco adaptive reuse of Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia
January 1st 2012
Bottom on best practices for office design in
ArchitectJanuary 1st 2012
Hoskins discusses Gensler’s research program in
Architect’s office issue
December 31st 2011
SFO T2 graces the cover and features in
Airport MagazineDecember 30th 2011
Inhabitat profiles Gensler’s approach to sustainable architecture in a Q&A with Irwin Miller
December 29th 2011
Rubio speaks to plans for the “façade lift” of a Chicago school in
The Architect’s NewspaperDecember 21st 2011
Fencl on the “world’s tallest buildings” with Chicago’s
WGN-RadioDecember 21st 2011
Interiors & Sources looks at improving the open-plan office with comments from Sandler and Bottom
December 20th 2011
Winey in
The New York Times on the “learning curves” developers face in China
December 15th 2011
Bottom in
Human Resource Executive on the talent costs of efficient offices
December 15th 2011
Chan speaks to China’s tallest skyscraper in an interview with
InhabitatDecember 8th 2011
Mizell explains the green features that set SFO T2 apart in
InhabitatDecember 8th 2011
Inhabitat profiles SFO T2, the first U.S. airport terminal to achieve LEED Gold
December 8th 2011
Shanghai Tower ranks among the “megatall” in
CTBUH’s “Tallest 20 in 2020”
December 7th 2011
Ferrara pens a piece on greening operations for
Retail Facility BusinessDecember 6th 2011
ArchitectureWeek takes a look at the recently opened John Wayne Airport
December 5th 2011
CultureMap Houston on the “gloriously restored” Ideson Library
December 5th 2011
Houston’s FOX News spotlights the city’s reopened Julia Ideson Library
December 4th 2011
Moore enthuses for the “treasure reclaimed” in the
Houston ChronicleDecember 2nd 2011
Passenger Terminal Today highlights SFO T2’s LEED Gold distinction
December 2nd 2011
SFO T2’s first LEED Gold rating for a U.S. airport features in
GreenBiz.comDecember 2nd 2011
Kamin’s
Chicago Tribune post on the talent shortlisted to redesign Navy Pier
December 2nd 2011
World Architecture News takes a look at the Moscow View observation wheel
December 1st 2011
The
Austin Business Journal interviews Runkle on architecture’s place in Austin
December 1st 2011
Epstein on the elements shaping the “office of the future” in
Real Estate BisnowNovember 30th 2011
The opening of John Wayne Airport’s new Terminal C in
airport-technology.comNovember 30th 2011
Princeton University’s high performance computing research center features in the school’s “News Stories”
November 30th 2011
Uniqlo New York enjoys a photo-filled showcase of its design in
VMSDNovember 27th 2011
Retail Design Blog explores The North Face’s global prototype store
November 26th 2011
The
Houston Chronicle tours the “gorgeous renovation” of the Ideson Library
November 23rd 2011
The Houston Ballet and Ideson Library are cited among the
Houston Chronicle’s “many reasons to be grateful”
November 22nd 2011
PLiNTH & CHiNTZ profiles Johnston’s “circuitous” career path from Wall Street and weddings to shaping design careers for emerging professionals
November 21st 2011
Gensler’s design for CBRE’s New York office in
The Wall Street JournalNovember 19th 2011
The Akron Beacon Journal reports on topping off of Goodyear’s headquarters
November 17th 2011
Inhabitat profiles the New York Center for Sustainable Energy (NYCSE)
November 16th 2011
Turner speaks to new Farmers Field designs on
ESPNLosAngeles.comNovember 14th 2011
Jordan talks about UNIQLO’s Fifth Avenue flagship in
The Architect’s NewspaperNovember 14th 2011
L.A.’s
FOX 11 reports on John Wayne Airport’s new terminal opening
November 13th 2011
Henry on Wilkes Bashford’s “townhouse-style remodel” in the
San Francisco ChronicleNovember 10th 2011
Thompson highlights John Wayne Airport’s new features for
NBC Los AngelesNovember 10th 2011
Doug Gensler on The Tower at PNC Plaza in the
Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewNovember 9th 2011
Pesek blogs on “sharpening tools for knowledge workers” for
D Magazine’s “Real Points”
November 9th 2011
The Moscow News with Gaber on plans for the world’s biggest Ferris wheel
November 8th 2011
Barsuk’s TEDx Manhattan Beach talk on design that transforms learning on
YouTubeNovember 7th 2011
Mediabistro takes a “VIP tour” of Edelman’s New York headquarters
November 7th 2011
Wen describes the “warmth and sophistication” of MGM Place for
The Architect’s NewspaperNovember 3rd 2011
EarthTechling takes a look at the New York Center for Sustainable Energy (NYCSE)
November 3rd 2011
Bourbon and Henry on Wilkes Bashford’s renovation in the
San Francisco Business TimesNovember 2nd 2011
Rubio explains Columbia College’s Michigan Avenue makeover to the
Chicago TribuneNovember 1st 2011
Houston Ballet’s Center for Dance featured in
Texas ArchitectNovember 1st 2011
Travel + Leisure names SFO T2 a “2011 Global Vision Award” winner for sustainability
November 1st 2011
Rausch in
Architectural Record on BP’s LEED Platinum transformation of Chicago Mercantile Exchange space
October 31st 2011
Portland International Jetport leads off an
Airport Magazine article on green U.S. airport initiatives
October 27th 2011
Interior Design profiles Uniqlo’s New York flagship with Jordan commenting
October 27th 2011
The Orange County Register offers up an illustrative user guide for John Wayne Airport’s new terminal
October 17th 2011
Pogue one of several experts proffering remedies for dull office space in
Inc.October 17th 2011
Inc. names Wilson Sporting Goods to its “World’s Coolest Offices” list
October 16th 2011
Youseff “looks forward” to exciting times for the built environment in
Middle East ArchitectOctober 14th 2011
Bakh tells
China Daily how the country's a different proposition to architects
October 12th 2011
Tompkin on “must-know” office fitout trends in
Building Design + ConstructionOctober 8th 2011
Martinez and Beckett tell
World Food Prize stories in The Des Moines Register
October 5th 2011
Pesek blogs on the “new collaborative workspace” for
D CEO’s “RealPoints”
October 1st 2011
Bodziner, Carr in
VMSD on translating The North Face’s brand dynamism to stores
October 1st 2011
Stanislaski on VALE grant benefits to Portland Jetport in
Airport ImprovementOctober 1st 2011
Athletics Administration profiles GWU’s Smith Center with Buendia-Corrochano
October 1st 2011
Morton and Simet on Proskauer’s “dressed up” interiors in
Interior DesignSeptember 29th 2011
Vecchione describes the traits of the “office of the future” in
Men’s HealthSeptember 28th 2011
Youssef offers
Middle East Architect a view to combining sustainability ratings
September 27th 2011
Shanghai Daily looks to Xia in an article on recasting the city’s skyline in green
September 26th 2011
The Virgin America-Loopt promotional celebration of SFO T2 in
MarketWatchSeptember 26th 2011
The Clinton Global Initiative recognizes AEG’s carbon-neutral targets in
StadiaSeptember 23rd 2011
Under Armour’s groundbreaking new innovation lab in
Architecture DCSeptember 23rd 2011
SFO T2’s myriad charms “something worth traveling to – and for” in
The Bold ItalicSeptember 22nd 2011
The
Los Angeles Times offers “a peek” inside the Beverly Hills Hotel’s new bungalows
September 21st 2011
Getto-Aikens features in
Real Estate Bisnow’s preview of its Dallas Retail Summit
September 20th 2011
In a
GlobeSt.com video, Nyce-Taylor discusses real estate tenants’ changing needs
September 20th 2011
Variety on the renovation of Loyola Marymount University's animation department
September 19th 2011
Ricci explains the “art of branding” Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's new prototypes to
QSRSeptember 15th 2011
Vegas Inc reports on plans to redevelop and re-open the Sahara hotel-casino
September 15th 2011
Engadget on the grand opening of AT&T Foundry’s new Palo Alto innovation center
September 14th 2011
DCEO showcases Publicis and Boston Consulting among its “coolest offices”
September 13th 2011
Inhabitat highlights the sustainable features of DTW’s North Terminal
September 12th 2011
Weingarten gives
The Wall Street Journal his pick for sustainable city reading
September 11th 2011
Brancato speaks to an uptick in hiring and commissions in
Crain’s New York BusinessSeptember 7th 2011
The
Chicago Tribune features future affordable housing for senior LGBT
September 7th 2011
Detroit Metro’s North Terminal profiled by the
International Business TimesSeptember 6th 2011
The
Charlotte Business Journal on Duke Endowment plans for a new building
September 5th 2011
David Gensler offers
World Architecture News his “2012 Industry Outlook”
September 1st 2011
Architecture Minnesota showcases Parameters’ new office/showroom
September 1st 2011
Art Gensler and Jim Furr speak to Gensler’s Houston roots in
DowntownSeptember 1st 2011
Burry predicts his top workplace trends for 2012 in a
Workplace Design survey
September 1st 2011
DDI names Gensler as one of six “2011 Design Firms of the Year”
September 1st 2011
Interior Design toasts EnTrust Capital’s new eye-catching Seagram Building headquarters with Klehr Avia, Wood and Mulling
September 1st 2011
Turner and Frontera speak to GWU’s transformative Smith Center renovation in
StadiaSeptember 1st 2011
Stadia has Turner explain how sponsorship and advertising, when incorporated in the design process, maximize stadium owner ROI and enhance the fan experience
August 31st 2011
Gensler’s naming as lead architect for Villeurbanne-Lyon Arena in
ArchDailyAugust 29th 2011
Gensler’s eco-friendly designs for Shore Hotel feature in a
BizBash fall preview
August 21st 2011
Youssef on the need to address expanding cities and growing populations in
Middle East ArchitectAugust 17th 2011
Reid in a video interview on
“meeting the living building challenge”August 16th 2011
Winning theme park bid a “Turkish delight,” reports
Middle East ArchitectAugust 16th 2011
The Wall Street Journal spotlights Shanghai Tower in museum show preview
August 12th 2011
ArchDaily features plans for the Tower at PNC Plaza in Pittsburgh
August 11th 2011
Interns’ video vision for Deep Ellum neighborhood in
Dallas ObserverAugust 11th 2011
Coca-Cola’s headquarters makeover in
The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAugust 8th 2011
Jessie Wu gives a Q&A with
GIGABASE on material sourcing in China
August 8th 2011
22squared features as
The Wall Street Journal’s “Workplace of the Day”
August 8th 2011
Reid discusses the environmental codes that most affect her work with
ArchitectAugust 7th 2011
Ward offers
The Christian Science Monitor three reasons why China’s not experiencing a real estate bubble
August 4th 2011
Dailymotion checks in on Shanghai Tower’s progress with Chan
August 4th 2011
Plans for the London River Park revealed in
Construction Now! August 4th 2011
Contract profiles “best of competition” winner MOTUS by HALCON in its NeoCon wrap-up issue
August 1st 2011
Martinez on crafting the Chicago office with
Commercial Design TrendsAugust 1st 2011
Hospitality Style highlights Choice Hotels’ new prototypes with comments from Rowan
August 1st 2011
Caruso offers
World Architecture News the finer points of the Workplace Performance Index
July 28th 2011
San Francisco public radio KALW’s
99% Invisible looks at SFO T2 with Arieff
July 25th 2011
ESPN LA on what the tentative Farmers Field agreement means to Los Angeles
July 22nd 2011
Airport World highlights SFO T2 in a lengthy survey of “designer terminals”
July 21st 2011
Howder on Bay's model for the future American workplace in the
Huffington PostJuly 12th 2011
Finn speaks to Brookings Institution’s clean economy study in the
Las Vegas SunJuly 8th 2011
Interior Design with Vecchione on the Institute for Classical Architecture & Art
July 8th 2011
7x7 reports on designs for Wharton San Francisco with Zucker quoted
July 8th 2011
Young and Hooper envision aviation’s future in Arieff’s
Txchnologist piece
July 1st 2011
Architectural Lighting features the transformative designs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
July 1st 2011
Gensler’s role in shaping a plan for Navy Pier’s redo highlighted in the
Chicago TribuneJuly 1st 2011
Stadia examines the concepts aimed at bringing the NFL back to L.A.
July 1st 2011
Henry explains the design ideas generating “wowed reactions” at SFO T2 for
Interiors & SourcesJuly 1st 2011
Gensler New York features in an
Architectural Record story on office art exhibitions
June 30th 2011
Klehr Avia in
Women’s Wear Daily on Condé Nast’s new 1 World Trade offices
June 28th 2011
Youssef urges “cautious growth” for Qatar after WC 2022 in
Middle East ArchitectJune 28th 2011
Kamin’s
Chicago Tribune blog on the HDR-Gensler selection for RIC’s new tower
June 27th 2011
Boyer contributes to
SmartMoney’s “10 Things Shopping Malls Won’t Tell You”
June 27th 2011
JoongAng Daily on the Heerim-Gensler team picked for Incheon's airport expansion
June 25th 2011
Hospitality Business News covers the announcement of Manchester’s new Austin convention center hotel with Runkle
June 22nd 2011
Gensler New York’s “five-star hotel” office design for
The Wall Street JournalJune 22nd 2011
Bottom shares ideas for re-imagining cubicle design with
Fast CompanyJune 21st 2011
Sirera on The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, in an
HA+D feature on urban hotels “making the mark”
June 16th 2011
Architectural Record on Gensler’s repeat win of the Iron Designer Challenge
June 13th 2011
designMENA reports on Gensler’s appointment as lead consultant of Msheireb
June 8th 2011
Wenger Swiss Army’s award-winning store features in
DDI’s project gallery
June 7th 2011
The Houston Chronicle considers the impact of Exxon Mobil’s new campus plans
June 1st 2011
Burry and Dale in
Azure on Nokia's “upwardly mobile” Silicon Valley R&D center
June 1st 2011
Contract features the “dollars and sense” design behind Junior Achievement’s Finance Park with insights from Mawema
May 29th 2011
PNC’s tower plan “a harbinger of revival,” reports
Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewMay 28th 2011
Metropolis spotlights Gensler Chicago’s library as a “place that works”
May 24th 2011
Hospitality Design reports on new designs for Comfort Inn & Suites
May 23rd 2011
The Tower, PNC’s new headquarters, announced in the
Pittsburgh Business TimesMay 20th 2011
Construction Week goes on site to see “Dubai’s double gherkin,” the Park Towers
May 19th 2011
Choice Hotels’ new Comfort Inn & Suites design featured in
Lodging MagazineMay 18th 2011
Youssef on MENA’s potential beyond luxury in
ConstructionWeekOnline.comMay 15th 2011
segdDESIGN finds Wenger Swiss Army’s U.S. flagship opening “new territory”
May 15th 2011
Daily Mail on London Lord Mayor’s funding announcement for Thames boardwalk
May 13th 2011
The Architects Newspaper spotlights SFO T2’s “spa-like atmosphere”
May 13th 2011
The
London Evening Standard on London River Park finding financial backing
May 13th 2011
London River Park is a “go” with backing, reports
World Architecture NewsMay 10th 2011
ConstructionWeekOnline.com notes Abu Dhabi UPC’s use of Estidama principles
May 9th 2011
Gensler’s 2011 Diversity Scholarship winners highlighted in
ArchitectMay 9th 2011
Contract features video interviews of the 2011 Diversity Scholarship winners
May 7th 2011
Upchurch on the Westin Phoenix making “the most out of mixed-use space” in
Hotel BusinessMay 5th 2011
Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren’s Milwaukee offices profiled in
Design SolutionsMay 4th 2011
Wittnebel offers
Contract his favorite iPad apps for drawing, sketching and design
May 3rd 2011
Sanders opines on the benefits of technology and lessons from other industries for A/E/C best practices in
DesignIntelligenceMay 3rd 2011
Brancato explains the prevalence of prebuilt office space in
The New York TimesMay 3rd 2011
USA Today considers shared offices and the meaning of “work place” with Tompkin
May 1st 2011
Burry and Dale explain how Gensler “dialed up color” for Nokia in
Interior DesignApril 27th 2011
Pesek’s first blog post for
Real Points underscores the global war for talent
April 26th 2011
PNC Place deemed an “Office Oasis” in
Home & Design’s May/June issue
April 26th 2011
Mourer in
VMSD on the “authenticity” that helped heritage brand Swiss Army win A.R.E.’s “Store of the Year” award
April 22nd 2011
Swinhoe shares the “sky high” visions for the World Trade Centre with
ArabianBusiness.comApril 21st 2011
ArchDaily features Houston Ballet’s new Center for Dance
April 21st 2011
The opening of GCC’s new main campus center on
CBS 3 SpringfieldApril 20th 2011
Weindel shares “eight sparks of inspiration” in
Fast CompanyApril 20th 2011
Sanders explains Shanghai Tower’s technical innovations for
CNBC Video at Autodesk
April 11th 2011
The New York Times on returning “glamour to air travel” with Mizell and Gensler
April 9th 2011
SFOT2 joins JetBlue’s JFK Terminal 5 on
TheStreet’s “most beautiful U.S. terminals” list
April 8th 2011
Houston Chronicle dubs Houston Ballet’s Center for Dance “piece de resistance”
April 7th 2011
San Francisco Chronicle finds SFO T2 looking to “return the romance to travel”
April 6th 2011
Jaunted tours SFO T2 and dubs Art Gensler “undisputed terminal design king”
April 6th 2011
Forbes on a terminal “where you arrive and think it’s going to be a great day”
April 6th 2011
Art Gensler discusses the renovation of SFO T2 with
Bloomberg TVApril 6th 2011
Los Angeles Times on the makeover of downtown’s 7th & Fig shopping center
April 6th 2011
Fetters shares his favorite software updates for 2010-11 in
ArchitectApril 5th 2011
Dunlap on the moves to preserve Facebook’s culture in
The New York TimesApril 4th 2011
7x7 gives SFO T2 a “first look” with perspectives from Henry and Art Gensler
April 4th 2011
Cubbison on making “me space we space” for UBM in
InhabitatApril 3rd 2011
Shanghai Tower numbers among
China Economic Review’s “Cities in the Sky”
April 3rd 2011
Chan on Shanghai Tower’s futuristic design in a
China Economic Review Q&A
April 1st 2011
"High Honors" Design Award Winners The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Residences and JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE, InterContinental New York Times Square and Fairmont Pittsburgh in
Lodging HospitalityApril 1st 2011
Contract spotlights Wenger Swiss Army’s A.R.E. “Store of the Year” honors
April 1st 2011
Mourer tells
Interior Design about the “different road” taken with the Wenger Swiss Army store concept
March 30th 2011
Houston Ballet’s Center for Dance opening featured by
InhabitatMarch 29th 2011
Wenger Swiss Army’s “Store of the Year” win in
DDI’s “Breaking News”
March 25th 2011
Los Angeles Times on AEG selection of Gensler design services for Farmers Field
March 22nd 2011
Jane’s quotes Hergert in an article describing SFO T2 as a “defender of the earth”
March 17th 2011
Manno praises the timing of Denbury’s expansion in the
Plano Star-CourierMarch 14th 2011
Turner blogs for
The Business of Sports on stadia maximizing sponsorship ROI
March 8th 2011
Building Design covers Mulcahey’s “Open Space” presentation at MIPIM
March 7th 2011
Cary Johnson helps
Crain’s Chicago Business define a “cool” place to work
March 7th 2011
Longo sees
Crain’s Chicago Business “Coolest Office” Panduit as a talent magnet
March 4th 2011
USA Today on why the best airports celebrate their local charms with Hooper
March 2nd 2011
Winey explains how Shanghai Tower gives the future form in
Architectural RecordMarch 2nd 2011
Brancato on portfolio consolidation in
Architect’s “Class A Office”
February 28th 2011
Mather speaks to Jackson Hole Airport, what
ENR calls a “front door to paradise”
February 25th 2011
Architectural Record reports on Gensler heading up Heart of Doha design team
February 25th 2011
Design propels Houston Ballet “to new level of excellence,” finds
World Architecture NewsFebruary 25th 2011
Bricker on engaging people with KFC’s “So Good” U.K. rebranding in
pitch designFebruary 16th 2011
Building Design takes a run on the ski slope concept for the Olympic media site
February 16th 2011
The Baltimore Sun tests out Under Armour's new Innovation Lab
February 10th 2011
Young explains SFO T2’s focus on comfort for
KGO-TV (ABC)February 8th 2011
King previews the promise of SFO T2’s opening in the
San Francisco ChronicleFebruary 8th 2011
CNN.com explores the “shrinking American cubicle” with analysis from Bottom
February 1st 2011
Getto-Aikens spots five trends for 2011 in
Shopping Center BusinessJanuary 31st 2011
World Interior Design Network reveals details of Chennai Airport’s new terminals
January 27th 2011
Philly's Hotel Palomar rates a "green and gorgeous" from
eco-structure MagazineJanuary 26th 2011
Award-winning London River Park "opens up" city's past, reports
ReutersJanuary 26th 2011
Hooper offers
Contract his solutions to airport design’s top five challenges
January 25th 2011
David Gensler’s “Cities for the Future” comments covered by the
Arab NewsJanuary 21st 2011
Building Design on Gensler’s “ingenious proposal” for London River Park
January 19th 2011
The Hotel Palomar’s “Trendiest Hotel in the U.S.” win on
NBC PhiladelphiaJanuary 14th 2011
Contract examines the “social network” of communal tables with Rasmussen
January 6th 2011
Rives Taylor in the
Houston Chronicle on helping “building owners get green”
January 5th 2011
Bloomberg Businessweek turns to Hooper for insight on “airport semiotics”
January 4th 2011
Hooper tells the
USA Today why airport restaurants located near gates appeal
January 4th 2011
Malik and Wicksman in
Stone World on the “distinctive look” of L.A. LIVE’s hotel tower
January 2nd 2011
Xia explains to
Press TV why Shanghai’s skyscraper boom continues apace
January 1st 2011
Architecture Update features the destination tower worthy of L.A.'s "entertainment capital of the world" standing
January 1st 2011
Govaars outlines five forces that will redefine real estate for
CoreNet Global’s “Industry Tracker”
December 21st 2010
Jenkins in
e-Oculus on the sustainable rooftop garden at St. Philip’s Academy
December 17th 2010
SFO T2 answers Arieff's "Can Airports Be Fun?" post in
The New York TimesDecember 16th 2010
MarketingWeek on new restaurant designs freshening up the KFC experience
December 15th 2010
The
Los Angeles Times reports on "shrinking office spaces" with Jernigan’s input
December 10th 2010
JetBlue’s JFK Terminal 5 named to
TheStreet’s “most beautiful U.S. terminals” list
December 7th 2010
Architectural Record uncovers the Museum of Bond Vehicles + Espionage
December 5th 2010
Shanghai Tower and Winey in an
AP feature on China’s skyscraper boom
November 30th 2010
The IIDA’s
DesignMatters profiles Wenger Swiss Army in a Q&A with Jenny West
November 29th 2010
GOOD Design Daily finds SFO’s T2 a terminal the “TSA and travelers can love”
November 27th 2010
Ito offers the
Los Angeles Times tips for a ruckus-free hotel stay
November 23rd 2010
SFO T2 tour offers “sneak peek” to airport aficionado Lappin of
Telstar LogisticsNovember 23rd 2010
World Interior Design Network on Virgin America’s unveiling of its SFO home
November 19th 2010
Howder’s latest “City Brights” blog post for
SFGate.com shows SFO “LEEDing the way”
November 17th 2010
Fast Company features Art Gensler's “Design Does Matter” video from Teknion
November 16th 2010
idnews.co.uk spotlights the first cookery school for the country’s leading supermarket group
November 14th 2010
Mulcahey and Swinhoe discuss sustainable development with
ArabianBusiness.comNovember 11th 2010
The New York Times finds Cohen “thinking big” about future lifestyle developments
November 10th 2010
The
Stark Insider features Frey Norris’ San Francisco location opening
November 10th 2010
Waitrose’s cookery school opening highlighted in
World Interior Design NetworkNovember 8th 2010
Inhabitat profiles Gensler’s shipping container eco-cabins for the Boy Scouts
November 2nd 2010
Cohen in a
World Architecture News Q&A on the impact of L.A. LIVE
November 1st 2010
Zucker writes in
Legal Management News on changes affecting office design
November 1st 2010
ECO-STRUCTURE features PNC Financial Service’s LEED Platinum regional HQ
November 1st 2010
UC Berkeley’s
Innovations quotes Duvivier on the Blum Center’s opening
November 1st 2010
Mather writes on “evolving airport design” in
Mountain States ConstructionNovember 1st 2010
Hotel Business Design taps Finn’s perspective on technology’s place in hotels
October 25th 2010
GOOD Design cites Gensler among featured firms in “The Power of Pro Bono”
October 18th 2010
Gensler’s King Abdullah Financial District designs in
World Architecture NewsOctober 12th 2010
World Interior Design Network on the opening of UC Berkeley’s Blum Center
October 11th 2010
PNC Financial Services shares pride in its new HQ with
The Washington PostOctober 6th 2010
Sanders speaks to sustainability promise versus performance in
ArchitectOctober 5th 2010
Building Design highlights “four major projects” awarded to Gensler in Riyadh
October 4th 2010
The JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton tower at L.A. LIVE feature in
Hospitality StyleOctober 3rd 2010
Mulcahey discusses Dubai’s future in an
Emirates 24/7 preview of Cityscape Global
October 1st 2010
WorldArab.net profiles the Gensler-designed World Trade Centre in Riyadh
October 1st 2010
The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott “tower” of AEG’s L.A. LIVE graces
DDI’s project gallery
September 30th 2010
Howder’s
San Francisco Chronicle blog envisions bicycle-beautified streetscapes
September 27th 2010
Hooper offers
The New York Times an airport designer’s view of travel
September 26th 2010
King lauds a Gensler restoration for the
San Francisco Chronicle’s Cityscape series
September 21st 2010
Phelps Dunbar’s new digs featured in the
Greater Baton Rouge Business ReportSeptember 20th 2010
The Houston Ballet’s new dance center profiled in
World Interior Design NetworkSeptember 20th 2010
World Interior Design Network finds echoes of a church’s past in its addition
September 17th 2010
Fast Company highlights “America's greenest corporate campus”
September 15th 2010
Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church addition graces
The Architects NewspaperSeptember 9th 2010
Wilks provides an
FX Magazine panel his perspectives on “specifying worldwide”
September 8th 2010
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf serves up SoCal authenticity, reports
QSR MagazineSeptember 8th 2010
The Houston Chronicle previews the Houston Ballet’s new dance center
September 1st 2010
Airport Improvement finds Jackson Hole’s expansion creates room with a view
September 1st 2010
SFO Terminal 2’s new healthy concessions covered in
Airport ImprovementSeptember 1st 2010
Commercial Interior Design evaluates Egyptian opportunities with Youssef
August 26th 2010
Coca-Cola’s headquarters renovation plans in the
Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionAugust 23rd 2010
The Wall Street Journal visits a man to see about his bond to a 007 collection
August 18th 2010
Skyline on the warm reception given Fourth Presbyterian’s planned addition
August 18th 2010
Garnar-Wortzel in
The Wall Street Journal on reduced-space office leases
August 16th 2010
Carr writes on LEED's application to graphic design practice, in
The Living PrinciplesAugust 16th 2010
Fourth Presbyterian unveils designs for addition, reports
Chicago Tribune’s Kamin
August 10th 2010
Gensler’s designs for CB Richard Ellis in
The New York Times’ piece on office deals
August 9th 2010
Winey’s induction into the AIA’s College of Fellows in
The Mercury NewsAugust 9th 2010
The Wall Street Journal considers how the InterContinental Times Square’s architecture enhances its business
August 9th 2010
Swicegood in the
Atlanta Business Chronicle on the workplace response to shifting demographics and new technologies
August 5th 2010
Hospitality Design conducts a restaurant design Q & A with Pope-Westerman
August 1st 2010
Architectural Record reviews CityCenter’s urban transformation of Las Vegas
July 30th 2010
2010 AIA Associates Award winner Darris James in
AIArchitectJuly 28th 2010
Wired tracks Bond’s surprising trail to Illinois. Momence, Illinois.
July 26th 2010
Wittnebel explains AAA's sustainable design moves for a
CleanTechies Q&A
July 21st 2010
Shanghai Tower shaping China's building codes, in
Engineering News-RecordJuly 20th 2010
Hooper on airports becoming intermodal transportation hubs in
USA TODAYJuly 20th 2010
Newsweek asks Gensler to imagine the "Future of Work" for Los Angeles in 2030
July 19th 2010
Architects + Artisans features the new addition to Jackson Airport in Wyoming
July 15th 2010
Vitale in
World Architecture News on museum as “catalyst for revitalization”
July 15th 2010
Fast Company on the museum “that says Bond. James Bond.”
July 13th 2010
Chan shares his “high hopes” for more sustainably designed supertalls in
Construction WeekJuly 12th 2010
Interior Design spies designs for the Museum of Bond Vehicles + Espionage
July 8th 2010
MacBean and Chan on Shanghai Tower's form and function in the
Financial TimesJuly 7th 2010
FairfaxTimes.com calls the Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel a “catalyst”
July 5th 2010
Gensler leads
Engineering News-Record's "Top 100 Green Design Firms" list
July 1st 2010
Baker reviews NeoCon 2010, “my kinda show,” for
FX MagazineJune 23rd 2010
Kromm White in
The Queens Courier on how green airports will benefit New York
June 21st 2010
The
USA TODAY checks in on the opening of San Jose airport’s new terminal
June 21st 2010
San Jose’s new airport “swoops into the future” in
The Mercury News’ preview
June 21st 2010
Hotel Business Magazine expects a Big Apple boost from the InterContinental
June 21st 2010
Klehr Avia and Leiserowitz featured in
Perspective’s “The Power of Women”
June 18th 2010
GreenerBuildings highlights Cathay Bank’s investment in an energy-efficient HQ
June 18th 2010
Art Gensler on why Shanghai Tower “inspires new ideas” in the
Asia TimesJune 10th 2010
JF Finn speaks to CityCenter’s green ambitions in
The Wall Street JournalJune 8th 2010
ConstructionWeekOnline features Youssef’s guest column on the GCC’s promise
June 7th 2010
Winey explains the excitement of China’s “living laboratory” in
China DailyJune 4th 2010
Tollit offers
FX Magazine his outlook on the state of high-street shopping and work abroad
June 4th 2010
Building Magazine looks to Almeida-Jones for advice on “cracking Brazil”
June 3rd 2010
FX Magazine reviews the new Gensler-designed London offices of Reed Smith and Standard Bank
June 1st 2010
Structure reports on San Jose International Airport “delivering form and function”
June 1st 2010
3DWorld features Barrero’s review of V-Ray for SketchUp 1.48
June 1st 2010
Simet speaks to the measured evolution of law office design in the
ABA JournalJune 1st 2010
Sheard's “bloomin’ marvelous” op-ed on Paris in
World Architecture NewsMay 20th 2010
Herjeczki discusses the merits of pro bono work and the LAPD Memorial to Fallen Officers with
segdDESIGNMay 17th 2010
Dixon’s Gensler Diversity Scholarship win covered in
Tennessee TodayMay 11th 2010
Youssef comments on Egypt’s opportunities for architects in
ConstructionWeekOnlineMay 10th 2010
Sheard explains the DIFC’s successful landscaping plan in
ArabianBusiness.comMay 6th 2010
GreenBiz.com on the green design taking flight at SFO Terminal 2
May 1st 2010
Cityscape turns to Mulcahey for his outlook on emerging financial centers
May 1st 2010
Southern California Edison names
Glumac Irvine “Office of the Future”
May 1st 2010
AAA’s “design driven” Northern California headquarters in
Interiors & SourcesMay 1st 2010
Ito talks sustainable hospitality “design principles” with
Sleeper magazine
May 1st 2010
The opening of L.A. LIVE’s “final piece” reviewed in
California ConstructionMay 1st 2010
MacBean, St. Pierre and Winey share with
Insight why Shanghai promises to shine after Expo 2010
April 23rd 2010
Three PNC Plaza’s opening highlighted in
World Architecture NewsApril 22nd 2010
The New York Times on how the New York Public Library sorted out renovations
April 22nd 2010
SFO Terminal 2 a model for green airports?
Fast Company has a look
April 21st 2010
KTVU checks the progress of SFO Terminal 2’s construction site
April 21st 2010
A $383 million renovation has SFO Terminal 2 to reopen in 2011, writes
CBS5April 19th 2010
Barsuk for
Contract on why sustainable design and operation must be intertwined
April 18th 2010
The
Orange County Business Journal views John Wayne Airport’s expansion as a bright spot in an idle building industry
April 7th 2010
S.I. Newhouse School’s production facilities’ update covered in the
Daily OrangeApril 7th 2010
Whole Foods Midwest flagship focuses on enhancing the customer experience through design, Huette tells
metalmagApril 6th 2010
Travel Daily News rates the Ritz-Carlton L.A.’s first five-star caliber hotel
April 5th 2010
The National Petascale Computing Facility (NPCF) nearly complete, reports
HPCwireApril 1st 2010
Boge shares the insights of Gensler’s research into what retail will look like in the future with
Shopping Center BusinessApril 1st 2010
The
CTBUH Journal offers Shanghai Tower as a supertall case study
March 30th 2010
The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviews the Fairmont’s blend of “art and industry”
March 25th 2010
Weingarten’s
CleanTechies Q&A on sustainability in China and Shanghai Tower
March 12th 2010
The Dirt has expert panel, including Ritchie, speak to the veracity of green products
March 12th 2010
The “high-modern mega project” that is CityCenter reviewed in
ArchitectMarch 1st 2010
OnOffice looks at the “Velcro environment” that is Edelman's London office
March 1st 2010
JetBlue’s Terminal 5 and the Saarinen-design TWA terminal in
A+UFebruary 24th 2010
Gensler’s part in new U.S. Embassy in London announced in
ArchDailyFebruary 23rd 2010
Archiseek.com on KieranTimberlake’s design team for the U.S. Embassy in London
February 21st 2010
JF Finn explains declining green building costs in the
Las Vegas Review-JournalFebruary 16th 2010
The Architect’s Newspaper reviews the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton “in detail”
February 12th 2010
Los Angeles’ first skyscraper in two decades featured in
ContractFebruary 12th 2010
Location matters most to school parents, reports the
TES on a Gensler-commissioned YouGov survey
February 3rd 2010
Eco-Structure explores a former industrial hub reborn as the Beacon Institute
February 2nd 2010
InterContinental New York Times Square opening in
BroadwayWorld.comFebruary 2nd 2010
Fast Company spotlights Scouts’ Catalina Island shipping-container cabins
February 1st 2010
Contract profiles 2010 Legend Award Winner Arthur Gensler
February 1st 2010
Gillard explains the ingredients of a successful school facility in
Specifications MagazineJanuary 28th 2010
Interior Design previews Gensler’s design for Vegas “Design Beyond” installation
January 28th 2010
The “saving” of Houston’s Julia Ideson Library featured in
PaperCityJanuary 26th 2010
The Wall Street Journal reviews Skyscraper Museum’s Shanghai exhibit
January 13th 2010
Metropolis observes the “cabin upgrade” given the Boy Scouts on Catalina Island
January 7th 2010
Inhabitat.com finds CityCenter measures up to MGM MIRAGE’s green ambitions
January 7th 2010
The Gensler-designed Center for Families of the Fallen in
delawareonline.comJanuary 5th 2010
Jun Xia presents Shanghai Tower for the
Skyscraper Museum’s “Shanghai Skyline”
January 1st 2010
Passenger Terminal World selects SFO Terminal 2 for its Top 15 for 2010
January 1st 2010
CityCenter’s Automated People Mover (APM) highlighted by the
AIAJanuary 1st 2010
Gensler tops
Interior Design “2010 Giants” list
December 24th 2009
Bloomberg explores the inspirations CityCenter drew from Ground Zero
December 22nd 2009
The restoration of the landmark Ideson Building featured in
Houston Arts WeekDecember 18th 2009
Hotel Interactive reports that CityCenter “redefines hospitality design”
December 17th 2009
NYU’s innovative new music technology complex in
Blues in the Digital AgeDecember 16th 2009
Fast Company talks with Art Gensler and CityCenter's "Architect Dream Team"
December 16th 2009
JF Finn on CityCenter’s ground breaking strides in the
Las Vegas Review-JournalDecember 14th 2009
The Real Estate Blog entry cites Gensler strategies for tenant improvements
December 14th 2009
The Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel featured in
University NewsDecember 13th 2009
The opening of St. John’s University D’Angelo Center in the
New York PostDecember 9th 2009
The Cato Institute expands up and out to community delight, reports
DCMudDecember 9th 2009
World Architecture News on The Avenues, Phase III, now underway
December 9th 2009
Chris Johnson comments on Alistair Darling’s pre-budget report in
The Architects’ JournalDecember 8th 2009
e-architect presents Kuwait’s under-construction retail development The Avenues
December 8th 2009
MGM MIRAGE’s CityCenter opening in Las Vegas previewed by
ContractDecember 7th 2009
Reid named a “Green Leader” in the
California Real Estate JournalDecember 7th 2009
The Wall Street Journal points to MetLife and Fallon in office space article
December 4th 2009
The Hotels & Residences at L.A. LIVE featured by
LA.comDecember 4th 2009
World Architecture News announces Naru Tower as a 2009 Commercial Sector WAN Awards-winner
December 3rd 2009
St. Pierre’s comments on India’s projected urban growth in
IndiaWest.comDecember 3rd 2009
TreeHugger.com spotlights Tompkin’s presentation at Opportunity Green
December 1st 2009
Gensler’s award-winning Talent Development Studio in
Chief Learning OfficerDecember 1st 2009
The Urban Vision reports on a climate change symposium with panelist St. Pierre calling for innovative development models
December 1st 2009
HQ magazine features Kevin Schaffer’s article on Cisco’s collaborative workplace
December 1st 2009
Interior Design celebrates Gensler’s induction into the Hall of Fame
November 30th 2009
The
California Real Estate Journal considers how tenants “stay within tight budgets in tough economy,” citing Youth Specialties
November 30th 2009
Kim Graham writes for the
California Real Estate Journal on year-end cost segregation opportunities
November 30th 2009
Fast Company reviews the “star-studded design” of Las Vegas’ CityCenter
November 30th 2009
Los Angeles’
KCRW hosts David Gensler for a segment considering Dubai’s impact on L.A. architects and engineers
November 25th 2009
Unveiled expansion plans for Mecca’s redevelopment in
The Architects’ JournalNovember 23rd 2009
Las Vegas Business Press Q&A with Art Gensler on CityCenter “changing the game”
November 12th 2009
David Gensler writes about the role of innovation in
Global Construction 2020November 9th 2009
London’s
Evening Standard has designs on Burberry’s new headquarters
November 7th 2009
L.A. Live helps spur downtown Los Angeles’ reinvention, finds
Travel Age WestNovember 4th 2009
Shanghai Tower in exclusive company, says CTBUH in
Architectural RecordNovember 4th 2009
CNN showcases new Gensler-designed Middle Eastern hub, the Abu Dhabi bureau
November 3rd 2009
World Architecture News on the Spark Award-winning HYDROGENerator
November 2nd 2009
Barneys New York in Chicago the “hippest” of flagship locations, reports
VMSDNovember 1st 2009
London’s
Square Mile spotlights Tameer Towers amongst promising UAE properties
November 1st 2009
Chicago's Block 37 “springs to life” in a
Midwest Construction feature story
October 30th 2009
Gensler’s Spark Award for International Design Excellence in
Fast CompanyOctober 30th 2009
The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Building & Grounds blog with Rives Taylor
October 30th 2009
Dubai downsizes and
Building asks what the “golden child's” recovery will look like
October 30th 2009
Building presents Chris Johnson’s picks for the “Wonders & Blunders” series
October 29th 2009
Bustler highlights the award-winning HYDROGENerator vision for Chicago
October 26th 2009
The Columbia Chronicle on the College’s LEED Silver exceeding expectations
October 26th 2009
Warneke on the workplace’s generational mix in the
California Real Estate JournalOctober 23rd 2009
Rives Taylor blogs on building programming in
The Chronicle of Higher EducationOctober 23rd 2009
Curbed SF previews Gensler San Francisco’s displays for empty Union Square shops
October 22nd 2009
Art Gensler discusses Shanghai Tower at the
CTBUH’s Chicago Conference
October 21st 2009
The Wall Street Journal cites Cohen in survey of design firms working in Asia
October 21st 2009
NPR’s CEO speaks at Gensler-
Washington Business Journal event
October 21st 2009
The
Los Angeles Times reviews Gensler’s pro bono memorial for the LAPD
October 21st 2009
Nila Leiserowitz offers a
Metropolis panel her approach to designing green spaces
October 16th 2009
Rives Taylor on the campus as teaching tool in
The Chronicle of Higher EducationOctober 14th 2009
Hospitality Design shows the happy side of waiting at JetBlue’s JFK Terminal 5
October 13th 2009
Stanislaski and Fernandez quoted in
Nightclub.com feature on Marriott’s reinvented hotel bars
October 12th 2009
Price and Howder on transforming the workplace in the
Las Vegas Business PressOctober 9th 2009
The Chronicle of Higher Education has Rives Taylor as guest blogger
October 8th 2009
Best Santos gives
The View from the Bay hospitality design expertise for the home
October 8th 2009
BusinessWeek with creative solutions to vacant space from Boge, Jordan and Vecchione
October 2nd 2009
The stylishly sustainable Hotel Palomar previewed in
The Philadelphia InquirerOctober 2nd 2009
Financial Times names Shanghai Tower amongst “towers of strength”
October 2nd 2009
Swinhoe discusses UAE projects going ahead again with
BuildingOctober 2nd 2009
Bodziner speaks to BIM’s influence on modeling and integrated delivery in
VMSDOctober 1st 2009
Beacon Institute’s Cronin discusses Gensler’s sustainable solutions with
DwellOctober 1st 2009
O’Neal Furr comments on Hess Tower’s progress in a
Texas Construction profile
October 1st 2009
Interior Design finds San Jose’s Gensler-designed airport “prepared for takeoff”
October 1st 2009
Architect looks to Reg Prentice for his thoughts on using holograms as design visualization tools
September 30th 2009
The Faster Times quotes Ritchie on LEED’s evolving point system
September 28th 2009
Interior Design spotlights the Gensler-Turner collaboration on SFO Terminal 2
September 28th 2009
Jenkins points to the merits of the branded office environment in
NJBIZSeptember 24th 2009
SFO Terminal 2’s turnaround profiled in
World Architecture NewsSeptember 23rd 2009
design-phan previews Philadelphia’s new Hotel Palomar in pictures
September 22nd 2009
The
Los Angeles Times blogs on LAPD’s memorial to fallen officers
September 20th 2009
Strombom comments on energy company offices in
The Houston ChronicleSeptember 18th 2009
Hotels Magazine features Marriott Copley Place’s refreshed Champions Bar
September 18th 2009
McCusker quoted on the importance of software licensing in
Building DesignSeptember 17th 2009
St. Pierre on Stockton’s Preserve in
Sustainable IndustriesSeptember 16th 2009
TellUrBoss.com presents Leiserowitz piece on how workplace design boosts performance
September 14th 2009
Barsuk authors article on the promise green jobs hold in
ContractSeptember 13th 2009
Chicago Tribune’s Kamin names Block 37 in “Fall Architecture Preview”
September 11th 2009
Pixar’s new star-making animation home profiled in
ContractSeptember 11th 2009
Building Design posts Johnson’s view that the recession’s end is beginning
September 9th 2009
Hospitality Design previews the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia’s opening
September 9th 2009
Peck speaks to the GSA’s plans at a Gensler-
Washington Business Journal panel
September 8th 2009
Burry and Howder in the
San Francisco Chronicle on “rethinking the office”
September 3rd 2009
Hydrogenator highlighted in
Time Out Chicago’s “Big.Bold.Visionary.” review
September 1st 2009
AutomatedBuildings.com measures performance with the 2008 Workplace Survey
September 1st 2009
Shanghai Tower one of the Skyscraper Museum’s pearls in
e-OculusSeptember 1st 2009
HotelWorld Network reports on Kimpton’s new LEED-designed Hotel Palomar
September 1st 2009
On Office is “sky high” on Reed Smith’s new London headquarters office
September 1st 2009
Gillard on the flexible learning environment in
Education Building & DesignSeptember 1st 2009
Urban Land features a St. Pierre-Parman piece on emerging Shanghai
September 1st 2009
Angeleno mentions Gensler’s work with Campbell Hall in a survey of LEED-certified school campuses
August 30th 2009
Plans for The Preserve, a new sustainable community, presented by
GlobeSt.comAugust 28th 2009
The
Phoenix Business Journal examines how workplace design boosts productivity
August 27th 2009
CityCentre’s revving up profiled in the
Houston ChronicleAugust 25th 2009
The
New York Real Estate Journal features the new American Girl Place
August 25th 2009
Ken Hall’s “LEEDing the Economy to Sustainability” in
GreenerBuildings.comAugust 20th 2009
Reid offers
Opportunity Green a “pragmatist’s approach to sustainability”
August 20th 2009
Reid in
BuildingGreen.com on the 2030 Commitment’s appeal to Gensler
August 19th 2009
David Gensler sees growth in Asia, reports the
San Francisco Business TimesAugust 7th 2009
Bodziner tells the sustainable story of McEvoy Ranch’s redesign in
Gift ShopAugust 5th 2009
Building Design + Construction highlights Gensler as classroom finalist
August 3rd 2009
McEvoy Ranch in
Architectural Record’s Good Design is Good Business series
August 1st 2009
Sanders and Hall speak to the “sustainable benefits of BIM” in
New York ConstructionAugust 1st 2009
Mizell writes about design’s impact on health and productivity in
Building Operating ManagementJuly 31st 2009
San Jose’s airport modernization reviewed in
The Architect’s NewspaperJuly 31st 2009
Processor promotes LEED certification for data centers, highlighting Fannie Mae
July 28th 2009
Gensler’s finalist entry for the Open Architecture Challenge in
ArchDailyJuly 28th 2009
MSNBC arrives at Steinert’s vision for future airports
July 27th 2009
Dunlap presents the San Francisco office to
Architectural Record’s “Firm in Focus”
July 27th 2009
Fast Company rates Gensler’s “Classroom of the Future” cool enough for school
July 26th 2009
The
San Francisco Chronicle puts “3 Questions” to Arthur Gensler
July 22nd 2009
Vecchione discusses the “office of the future” with
aBetterOfficeJuly 20th 2009
“Sound Advice” from Hunt for
Capelin Communications podcast
July 17th 2009
Columbia University’s Teachers College blogs on lessons learned from St. Philip’s Academy
July 15th 2009
The
Honolulu Rail Transit Symposium features input from Ian Mulcahey
July 15th 2009
Architecture for Humanity’s co-founder writes on the Open Architecture Challenge for the
Huffington Post July 13th 2009
Professional Atlanta interviews Stephen Swicegood for the Centers of Influence series
July 13th 2009
San Jose International Airport’s Terminal B opening covered in the
San Jose Mercury-NewsJuly 8th 2009
Gensler among top BIM adopters in
Building Design + Construction survey
July 6th 2009
Gensler’s Brand Design practice is the subject of a full-length
Event Design feature
July 1st 2009
Ritchie comments on green design investment in
Engineering News-RecordJuly 1st 2009
High Performing Buildings features the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
July 1st 2009
The former home of Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose reviewed in
Interiors & SourcesJuly 1st 2009
e-architect highlights Gensler’s design for Terminal B at San Jose International Airport
July 1st 2009
St. Matthew’s Parish School in
Architectural Record’s Building Types Study
July 1st 2009
FX Magazine recaps its design seminar on color with Durow quoted among the debaters
July 1st 2009
Education Building & Design posts Gillard’s letter on PfS lessons learned
June 30th 2009
Avanti Press’ Detroit digs draw in creative staff reports
Model D’s D-Biz June 24th 2009
Mulcahey speaks to rail’s civic benefits in the
Honolulu Star-BulletinJune 24th 2009
The
Outdoor Industry Association asks Boyer about retail in a down economy
June 23rd 2009
Whitewall Magazine hosts a Q & A with Vecchione on workplace design
June 19th 2009
Gensler’s vision for the Future Leaders Institute featured on
After Ed TVJune 16th 2009
Pare and Sitzes offer the
Chicago Tribune a “cure for cubicle graveyards”
June 7th 2009
The New York Times examines how L.A. LIVE may boost convention traffic
June 5th 2009
“School ReDesign, Season Two” debuts on
After Ed TV with Gensler featured
June 4th 2009
Rapid Growth highlights the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
June 3rd 2009
Three projects among
Fast Company’s “The 29 Best Buildings in Los Angeles”
June 2nd 2009
Turner talks to the
Medill News Service about the civic impact of Olympic stadia
June 1st 2009
The Mercury News lauds San Jose’s new terminal as “best … public architecture”
June 1st 2009
Barsuk comments on green design in the
Port of Long Beach’s latest video
June 1st 2009
Data Center Dynamics covers Allstate’s new LEED-designed data center
June 1st 2009
The
Global Real Estate Monitor discusses transit-oriented developments with Hason
June 1st 2009
Airport World encapsulates Steinert’s “The New Airport” white paper
May 25th 2009
Vecchione offers advice to employers with empty workplaces on
MSNBC.comMay 22nd 2009
Lauro stresses the importance of strategic data center planning in
ProcessorMay 21st 2009
Hotel Interactive learns how designers help hoteliers remain relevant
May 15th 2009
Architecture for Humanity work promoted in
After Ed’s “School ReDesign” trailer
May 15th 2009
Hoskins and Pogue share the Workplace Survey’s insights with
ContractMay 5th 2009
Greentech Media considers Shanghai Tower’s “city parks in the sky”
May 1st 2009
Recreation Management’s annual awards issue spotlights Town Sports
May 1st 2009
Winey’s Shanghai Tower address to The Asia Society covered by
FORA.tvMay 1st 2009
Comcast’s new Philadelphia headquarters feature in
Architectural RecordApril 30th 2009
Gensler among participating firms announced in the
AIA’s 2030 CommitmentApril 27th 2009
Dunlap contributes to
Architectural Record’s “My San Francisco” video series
April 23rd 2009
Shanghai Tower named to
Time’s “The Green Design 100” list
April 23rd 2009
VMSD profiles REI’s sustainably designed prototype in Round Rock, Texas
April 20th 2009
The
California Real Estate Journal looks at San Jose’s new green airport
April 13th 2009
A vision for Costa Rica’s sustainable development features in
Multi-Housing NewsApril 9th 2009
Interior Design heralds the opening of Chicago’s new Barneys New York
April 1st 2009
Jordan Goldstein talks to
Architectural Record about collaborative culture
March 31st 2009
Community College Times surveys the evolution of the modern campus
March 26th 2009
American Girl “all dolled up” and ready to expand, reports
VMSDMarch 20th 2009
onoffice Magazine finds Burberry’s new headquarters “entrenched in style”
March 20th 2009
Bank of America’s One Bryant Park profiled in
Architectural LightingMarch 20th 2009
Architectural Lighting showcases The New York Times’ innovations
March 15th 2009
Hoskins talks with
The New York Times about scouting Gensler talent
March 11th 2009
The award-winning HBO Shop claims
Perspektif’s latest project post
March 10th 2009
Design Scene selects Barneys New York in Dallas as the newest featured project
March 10th 2009
Shanghai Tower draws
Building’s attention at MIPIM in Cannes, France
March 5th 2009
Art Gensler on airport design in a Passenger Terminal Today podcast
March 4th 2009
World Architecture News names New Line Academy a new model for learning
March 2nd 2009
Sustainable Industries seeks Winey’s insights on Asian market opportunities
March 2nd 2009
Gillard talks about transformative schools on
World Architecture News’ podcast
March 1st 2009
The “imaginatively designed” HBO Shop receives
Evolve Magz’ spotlight
February 28th 2009
Johnson gives
The National a back-to-basics building formula for the U.A.E.
February 20th 2009
The Plymouth Rock Studios team discusses the project with
Hollywood East TVFebruary 16th 2009
Smart Growth profiles Bank of America’s One Bryant Park headquarters
February 16th 2009
Burberry’s new London headquarters rate “home chic home” in
VogueFebruary 16th 2009
Street & Smith’s
Sports Business Journal announces Ron Turner’s arrival
February 6th 2009
Michael Bodziner weighs in on a
VMSD panel assessing the retail outlook
February 1st 2009
Gensler is
Green Space Today’s firm of the month for February
February 1st 2009
Mix finds Edelman London lives up to its “office of the future” tag
January 30th 2009
Hollywood East TV goes to Boston to visit the Plymouth Rock Studios team
January 28th 2009
The Architect’s Newspaper checks in on the Hotel Palomar
January 22nd 2009
Johnson sees opportunities for innovation and creativity in
Building DesignJanuary 16th 2009
Ritchie discusses new life for old buildings with
Green Biz RadioJanuary 1st 2009
Perspective highlights Gensler’s approach to mentoring young designers
January 1st 2009
Building Design‘s World Architecture Top 100 profiles the “Leader of the Pack”
January 1st 2009
The 2008 Workplace Survey findings point a path to success in
MixDecember 4th 2008
The Independent looks into Kent County’s “school of the future”
December 2nd 2008
Managing Principal Chris Johnson debuts his
Building Design column
December 1st 2008
Funding secure, China’s next super-tall goes ahead, reports
Architectural RecordDecember 1st 2008
Architect shows JetBlue’s new JFK terminal is prepared for takeoff
November 28th 2008
Art Gensler in a
Bloomberg video interview and story on Shanghai Tower
November 28th 2008
BusinessWeek spotlights China’s new tallest building
November 28th 2008
Shanghai Tower’s groundbreaking covered by
ForbesNovember 28th 2008
The
Wall Street Journal’s “China Journal” reports on Shanghai Tower
November 26th 2008
In its debut issue,
HQ magazine highlights the U.S. Workplace Survey findings
November 26th 2008
HQ features the “elegant new beacon” that is The New York Times tower
November 26th 2008
Bank of America’s new headquarters “take Manhattan” in
HQNovember 7th 2008
Edelman London and U.K. Workplace Survey highlighted in
Financial TimesNovember 1st 2008
Interior Design counts Gensler among firms successfully diversifying its practice in a down market
October 21st 2008
BusinessWeek's Innovation of the Week podcast features the U.S. Workplace Survey
October 21st 2008
The Wall Street Journal travel blog tours new JetBlue terminal
October 1st 2008
Comcast’s HQ earns sky-high ratings in
Interior DesignSeptember 30th 2008
FOX 7 News in Austin looks at Gensler's sustainable store design for REI
September 28th 2008
The New York Times reports on the flexible office space trend
September 24th 2008
AdAge's online video looks at how Gensler interprets JetBlue’s brand architecturally
September 22nd 2008
Bloomberg TV show “Muse” broadcasts from JetBlue’s new terminal
September 19th 2008
World Architecture News previews JetBlue’s new JFK terminal
September 16th 2008
The
Detroit Free Press comments on the smooth, efficient design of Detroit Airport
September 12th 2008
The
Chicago Tribune lauds Gensler's vertical campus approach in new downtown office building
September 3rd 2008
The New York Times on building facades refreshed for higher rent and efficiency
September 1st 2008
Interior Design on six Gensler-designed offices in The New York Times Building
August 11th 2008
BusinessWeek.com offers a sneak peak and video tour of JetBlue’s new JFK terminal
August 1st 2008
Travel + Leisure magazine tours the new JetBlue terminal at JFK
July 16th 2008
San Francisco Chronicle highlights the Gensler-designed Alexandria Parking Garage
June 1st 2008
Fulcrum Magazine features Gensler's Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park
May 31st 2008
The virtual marketplace at NASDAQ's MarketSite in
Archi-Tech MagazineMay 23rd 2008
Engineering News-Record podcasts predictions for the future of airport design
May 1st 2008
Gensler sustainable design director looks at energy-saving strategies around the world in
Contract MagazineMay 1st 2008
Gensler-designed ad agency Team Detroit featured in
Interior DesignApril 1st 2008
Gensler's John Adams assesses development in downtown L.A. on
World Architecture News.comMarch 10th 2008
The New York Times provides a sneak peek of the new JetBlue terminal under construction at JFK
February 17th 2008
Arabian Business looks at Gensler's leadership of the massive MGM Project CityCenter in Las Vegas
February 1st 2008
W Magazine looks inside the Gensler-designed CAA HQ
February 1st 2008
Motorola's innovation lab for kids featured in
Contract MagazineFebruary 1st 2008
Added Value's Jetsons-inspired LA offices appear in
Interior DesignFebruary 1st 2008
Gensler's transformation of an old chocolate factory into a sustainable school featured in
MetropolisJanuary 30th 2008
USA Today previews Gensler's design for the new Detroit Airport North Terminal
January 18th 2008
Investor's Business Daily looks to Gensler to make sense of workplace trends
January 1st 2008
Gensler ranks as the #1 design firm for the 28th consecutive year in
Interior DesignDecember 13th 2007
BusinessWeek.com reports on sustainable architecture in Abu Dhabi
December 9th 2007
LA Times Magazine examines Gensler's work for Hollywood talent agencies
December 1st 2007
Ten Gensler projects honored in
Interior Design's Best of Year Awards
November 11th 2007
GreenBuild conference blogger reports on Gensler's groundbreaking work with PNC Bank on volume certification for green retail
November 1st 2007
BusinessWeek spotlights BW/AR award winner Hearst Tower
October 17th 2007
Forbes.com highlights Gensler's GTV
October 15th 2007
Gensler's work with Intel appears in
BusinessWeek.com's Office Design Special Report
October 15th 2007
Gensler's 2006 Workplace Survey features in
BusinessWeek.com's Office Design Special Report
September 1st 2007
Gensler's NYC office lands cover of
Interior Design
September 1st 2007
Edutopia features St. Philip's Academy
August 5th 2007
Workplace expert Tom Vecchione interviewed on
MSNBCJuly 1st 2007
Gensler's Gary Wheeler is first guest editor of
Contract MagazineJune 24th 2007
The
Chicago Tribune reviews Center on Halsted
June 24th 2007
Boston Globe's Corporate Curmudgeon lauds Boomerang program
May 1st 2007
Interior Design features CAA workplace
March 11th 2007
The New York Times features UBS workplace design
January 23rd 2007
Airport design expert Ron Steinert interviewed by
BusinessWeek.comJanuary 1st 2007
Art Gensler featured in
Harvard Business Review's Leadership Issue
December 27th 2006
The
Financial Times highlights Gensler's US workplace survey
December 15th 2006
CNN Headline News features Gensler's branding and architecture expertise
November 29th 2006
The Guardian online cites Gensler's UK Green Building survey
November 29th 2006
The New York Times quotes Gensler architect on building lobby trends
October 20th 2006
AIArchitect features Hearst Tower — a LEED Gold first in NYC
September 27th 2006
Diane Hoskins discusses Gensler's workplace survey on
ABC News NowAugust 8th 2006
Forbes.com explores Gensler's US workplace survey findings
August 4th 2006
The
San Francisco Business Times profiles Gensler Managing Principal Dan Winey
July 30th 2006
The New York Times features a Gensler-designed law firm
July 19th 2006
CNBC highlights Gensler's US workplace survey findings
May 10th 2006
CNBC interviews Gensler experts on Shanghai building boom
February 27th 2006
The
San Francisco Business Times reports on a Gensler-led retail boom
February 1st 2006
Gensler's Andy Cohen and JF Finn author a piece on MGM MIRAGE's Project CityCenter in
Urban Land MagazineJanuary 22nd 2006
The
Chicago Tribune examines Gensler's fast-track design process for 108 North State
January 16th 2006
The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profiles Gensler and previews 3 PNC Plaza