To innovate in the new-construction space, architecture firms need to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration—that’s exactly what the Gensler architects have done. In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on the architecture firm, highlighting who they are, their mission, and 10 of their most notable projects from across the globe.
Who is Gensler?
Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm. Their mission, in part, is to create work that has a positive impact on the human experience. With over 6,000 employees producing projects in more than 100 countries, they are reimagining towers, cities, and experiences worldwide.
Founded in 1965, Gensler architecture firm values diversity, community knowledge, local ties, and sustainability. They strive to build a better world through the power of design, and the following projects demonstrate this through innovation and cultural nods in one breathtaking package.
7 past, present, and future Gensler architecture projects on the go
1. Wind Town (Vėjo Miestelis)
- Location: Svencelė, Lithuania
- Completion year: 2029
- Typology: Mixed-use, Residential, Sports, Hospitality
Wind Town, one of Gensler’s most ambitious projects, was designed to welcome all types of visitors and remain lively throughout every season. The project includes 250 separate tiny homes, restaurants, retail and coworking spaces, two hotels, and green areas.
The residential architecture is designed to blend different housing aesthetics, creating a sense of complementarity and cosiness without being too uniform or monotonous. Gesler made a point of integrating local Lithuanian history, as well as open outdoor spaces and a largely car-free infrastructure.
2. Folio House
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Completion year: 2028
- Typology: Residential
Settled in the heart of Atlanta, Folio House is a reconstruction of a long-vacant commercial center, incorporating new construction elements. The space will be transformed over the next few years, transitioning from commercial to residential use.
This project will be completed in two phases. Phase one will convert the existing building into one and two-bedroom residential units, 46 of which will be mixed-income affordable housing. Phase two will introduce new construction, including 151 multifamily units and parking for tenant and public use.
3. Wellcome Genome Campus
- Location: Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
- Completion year: TBD
- Typology: Education, Sciences
The Wellcome Genome Campus‘ mission is to be a global leader in biodata, health data, data science, and genomics, and to house accelerator and incubator spaces. The project will comprise two buildings totaling more than 200,000 square feet and will include a pub and cafe to foster community and collaboration on campus.
With four floors, these new buildings will draw in daylight and will include biodiverse roofs, solar shading, and recycled materials. This project aligns with the institution’s environmental goals, including achieving a 25% biodiversity net gain.
4. Solhouse 6035
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
- Completion year: 2028
- Typology: Residential
Solhouse 6035, the new residential tower in in downtown Vancouver, will be a 45-story building that prioritizes function and “outside-in” living. The all-season balconies will feature retractable glass panels measuring 8 feet deep, adding up to 30% more all-season living space to each unit.
Adjacent to the tower, Gensler is implementing a continuous green space, along with a rooftop garden. The goal is to promote greener living and reinforce each tenant’s connection to the nearby Central Park.
5. Hard Rock Integrated Resort Complex Ellinikou
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Completion year: 2028
- Typology: Mixed-use, Hospitality
The new Hard Rock Integrated Resort Complex Ellinikou will blend the spirit of the brand and the culture of Athens through a retail promenade, an integrated hotel, a gaming floor, and an entertainment space. The project will feature outdoor theatres and convention spaces, and the central tower’s design will blend ancient heritage with modern luxury.
The resort will include more than 200,000 square meters of green space, and the transformation of the historic Hellinikon Airport will make it the perfect location to drive economic growth and tourism.
6. Microsoft Mass Timber Hyperscale Data Centers
- Location: Northern Virginia, United States
- Completion year: 2030
- Typology: Critical Facilities, Science
Data centers are in high demand across North America, thanks to the upswing in AI use across industries. Gensler partnered with Microsoft to make their latest data center developments in Northern Virginia more functional and significantly greener. This project will include two data centers, largely built with mass timber, to create a wellness environment while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The project, thanks to its use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), is set to reduce the development’s embodied carbon by 35% compared to traditional steel and up to 65% compared to conventional concrete. The project will meet Microsoft’s current data demand while also advancing its increasingly ambitious sustainability goals.
7. Baghdad Sustainable Forests
- Location: Baghdad, Iraq
- Completion year: 2032
- Typology: Cities and Urban Design
The Baghdad Sustainable Forests project, led by Gensler, is the largest ecological development in Iraq. The construction aims to renew the city’s identity and restore the land over 10 million square meters. The project will transform the former Al-Rasheed military campsite into mixed-use villages and urban clusters within an expansive forest.
The project is expected to be completed in 2032 and will involve planting one million trees to capture 22,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. This project will also introduce 1.5 million square meters of commercial, retail, and amenity infrastructure to encourage population growth and social connections.
Gensler’s mission and community-forward approach to design prove that innovation and modernization won’t mean leaving culture behind. The firm is a global megagiant for a reason, and admirers of the projects will be happy to see much more coming down the pipe in the years to come.
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