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Gensler is a global design firm with more than 40 offices around the world. The firm was founded in 1965 in San Francisco, California by Art and Drue Gensler and their associate James Follett.

Though it originally focused on corporate interiors, Gensler has since diversified into numerous forms of architecture and design, incorporating 20 practice areas, including commercial office buildings, professional services, retail centers, aviation, planning and urban design, hospitality, sports stadia, education facilities and entertainment complexes. Gensler is also involved in brand strategy, environmental graphic design, mission-critical facilities, and has recently invested in consulting for real estate, workplace and sustainable design. It operates regional offices in numerous cities worldwide, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Sao Paulo, London, Dubai and Shanghai.

The firm is privately-held under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Gensler employs an unusual leadership model, with three Executive Directors having shared leadership since 2006: Andy Cohen, FAIA, David Gensler, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP (Art Gensler’s oldest son) and Diane Hoskins, FAIA, LEED AP. They are supported by six additional members of the Board of Directors and a Leadership Council of approximately 100. The firm has focused on its culture during a number of years, with numerous talent development and retention programs.

In 2012, Gensler was the largest architecture firm in the United States by revenue, following a record year for the firm. In September 2012, it employed more than 3,500 people.

In 2011, Seismic Structural Design Associates (SSDA) sued Gensler for violating SSDA's patent for steel frame connections. SSDA alleged that the patent was infringed in Gensler’s development of a 54-story hotel and residential tower in the LA Live entertainment district in Los Angeles.

Notable Gensler buildings

 * Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China, 2015
 * The Tower at PNC Plaza, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2014
 * San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California, T2 terminal, 2011
 * John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, New York, JetBlue T5, 2008
 * Houston Ballet Center for Dance, Houston, Texas, 2011
 * Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China, 2013
 * Facebook, Inc., London, 2012
 * The Ritz-Carlton,Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2004
 * Farmers Field, Los Angeles, California, 2014
 * The Avenues (Kuwait), Kuwait City, Kuwait, 2012

Awards

 * IDP Outstanding Firm Award, American Institute of Architects 2010-2013
 * "Legend" Award, Contract Magazine 2010
 * Interior Design Hall of Fame 2009
 * U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership Award, 2005
 * Contract Magazine “Most Admired Design Firms,” 2004
 * Architecture Firm Award, American Institute of Architects, 2000