Architecture industry icon
Art Gensler, 85, who grew his San Francisco interior design business into the world’s largest architecture firm, died May 10, 2021, at his home in Mill Valley, Calif. Over his 65-year career, Gensler helped design hundreds of buildings worldwide and elevated the practice of interior design to professional standing, growing his namesake company to 5,000 employees in 50 offices in the process. As a businessman, Gensler championed a collaborative culture and client-first design approach that has become a model for how many professional services firms operate today. He also believed in giving back to his community and served as a member of the Haas School Board and donated to both Haas and Berkeley, as well as to many other causes and institutions. Learn about his legacy.