6 California Buildings News • Q2 2021
The world's architectural community lost Art Gensler this spring. He built and ran the world's largest design firm. He inspired countless professionals and left a legacy of numerous wonderfully designed facilities. We are reprinting our interview with him in 2015.
America’s Leading Architect’s Business Principles Says “Always Looking for New Products”…Stresses Functionality Q&A with Arthur Gensler, Jr., Founder, Gensler, San Francisco Art, as he is very well known globally, founded what is often listed as America’s largest architectural firm, headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in 46 locations around the world, staffed by more than 4,600 design professionals, currently serving more than 2,390 clients, including 55 of 100 of Fortune magazine’s top Global 500 companies. California Buildings News asked Gensler to share some of the insights he made in his new book, as well as insights into the way his firm selects products. In your new book, “Art’s Principles,” you outline ways design professionals can do a better job of running their businesses. What are three of your best tips? 1. Hire the best 2. Storytelling 3. No project is too small for a great client Hire the best people. They may cost more but the return will be much greater and you can trust the results in their contribution. Give them the support they need and then get out of their way. Learn to be a storyteller. Potential and current clients can relate to a relevant story. Don’t use industry gobbledygook. Learn to speak in their industry’s language. Your stories should convey real and relevant experiences, and don’t need to be given directly to an audience if you aren’t comfortable with public speaking. You can share your stories using social media. Architecture is design, but architects are also very concerned with products used to fulfill building design: wall systems, paint, flooring, roofing, solar, windows, restroom fixtures, etc. What guides Gensler in recommending such products? We are lucky that we have excellent and experienced librarians at Gensler, working with us to research products. We use the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) evaluation system, as well as the aesthetic and functional
properties of a product to guide and select products. For U.S. testing we rely on the recommendation of BIFMA, ASTM or UL. Does Gensler default in product selection to companies with established reputations or give new manufacturers a chance? We are always looking for new products. We are careful not be to be the first to try products. We want to make sure they really meet the performance criteria presented by the manufacturer. Some firms are more concerned with design over functionality. How does Gensler reconcile these requirements? We clearly first focus on function. If it doesn’t respond to our clients’ needs and requirements, then no matter how wonderful or unique the design we create is, it will not be a successful solution. Do manufacturers respond well to architects’ needs to meet codes or design requirements by innovating products or altering them to meet your needs? If not, how can they improve? I believe the majority of manufacturers have recognized the need to provide functional and appropriate products that are sustainable, innovative and responsive to our needs. And most of them will work with us to modify their standard solutions if we feel it is necessary.
