Elizabeth Brink (top left), John Adams (top right), Michael White (bottom left) and Kelly Farrell.
Elizabeth Brink, John Adams, Michael White and Kelly Farrell
Co-CEO and co-regional managing principal for the Southwest; co-regional managing principal for the Southwest; principal and co-managing director for L.A.; co- managing director for L.A. at Gensler
Architecture firm Gensler was founded in 1965 with the same goal it has today: to make positive impacts in communities through design, according to its leaders in the Southwest and the Los Angeles region, Elizabeth Brink, John Adams, Michael White and Kelly Farrell.
In the wake of the pandemic, Gensler focused on “the workplace future” and designing aspects that would draw employees back to the office environment, White said. That’s what Gensler is doing at its own main office space at the Jewel Box in Downtown L.A., which began a full renovation this month.
Following years of a slowdown in development in Downtown L.A., White said one of the firm’s goals this year is to “revitalize” the area by redesigning external facades of buildings and engaging with local schools and charities to create programs that can be visible from the street.
“We’re seeing our role in the urban fabric as really being a catalyst to try to invest and turn downtown around,” White said.
Gensler is also working on transportation improvements in the region, including at Los Angeles International Airport and the San Diego International Airport. Plus, the firm’s working on behavioral health care facilities in Orange County, student housing at UC-San Marcos and Long Beach Community College, and sports facilities at the training spot for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the headquarters of the NFL’s L.A. Chargers.
That’s on top of Gensler’s work in creative industries, in which the firm has designed a new space for Universal Music Group in Santa Monica, Netflix’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, and the in-progress redevelopment of Warner Bros.’ Ranch studios in Burbank, which will hold 16 new soundstages, White said.
As for next year, Brink said Gensler will continue to engage with communities, drive innovation and prioritize sustainability. “We’ll always be looking to drive the industry forward positively in terms of what we’re doing to drive sustainability on our projects, to drive this strong sense of people and human engagement,” she said.
