WA 100 2017: 1 Gensler

Gensler’s total domination of the rankings continues as it achieves the seemingly impossible task of growing still more after last year’s huge leap in size. At 2,570, the American practice now employs nearly 1,000 more architects than it did just two years ago.

The statistics are impressive: work in 46 geographical locations in more than 30 different practice areas, the runaway leader in both the office and hospitality sectors and among the top three rankings for seven more.  This reflects a growth not only in its oldest areas of strength such as workplace, but in newer areas such as sports, residential, cultural institutions and healthcare. Such diversity of expertise has been particularly useful in targeting mixed-use projects, such as its hotel/conference/transit centre/plaza at Denver International Airport.

The North American market has continued to be very strong for Gensler. “Many firms who went global decreased their focus on the US. We believe strongly in continuing to grow and invest in the market and at the same time continuing to invest overseas. It’s not an either/or.” says co-chief executive Diane Hoskins.

Internationally, Gensler has been able to weather recent changes in the Chinese market and Hoskins says it has benefited from a “flight to quality” as a new breed of clients show a growing interest in innovative workplaces. South-east Asia is also a very active area for the practice.

Gensler has seen tremendous growth in opportunities in the Middle East, not just in Abu Dhabi and Qatar but in Dubai, where the market is starting to return, and in Egypt.

It’s a rather different story in Europe and the UK, where Brexit is presenting both challenges and opportunities in a more erratic market, with some clients slowing down their decision-making. However, there has been an increase in strategic consulting work.

In other markets, Gensler has experienced growth in Latin America and is also exploring opportunities in sub-Saharan African.

Hoskins puts Gensler’s success down to its staff, and the fostering of an entrepreneurial culture that enables them to build strong client relationships and grow the business. ”People are what fuels our firm and every individual matters. We need to make sure that we’re an incredible place for people to come and build their careers,” she says.