Visionary Architect Art Gensler Passes Away
Art Gensler, an architect and visionary who propelled a small practice into one of the largest firms in the industry, passed away earlier this week at his home in Mill Valley. He was 85.
Gensler was an industry icon and entrepreneur with the vision that architects not only design spaces, but do so with the understanding that those spaces have the power to shape how people experience the world.
But of all the architects of his generation, Gensler stands out as the pre-eminent firm-builder. During a 65-year career, his gift to the firm was an ethos that has allowed Gensler to continue to grow and prosper. That ethos was distinguished by a belief in collaboration, support of design education and career advancement, respect for individuals, dedication to clients and endorsement of sustainable design. All these values blended to form the unique and lasting culture he established at the firm.
This collaborative vision helped propel the firm to global prominence long after Gensler stepped down as CEO in 2005 and chairman in 2010. But he put in place the co-CEO model that still exists today, with Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins leading the firm.
After Gensler’s retirement from the board, he remained a constant presence in the firm and as a mentor to the next generation of leaders. Gensler spent his later years giving back to the community, serving as a trustee of the Buck Institute for Aging, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the California College of the Arts, and his alma mater. Recently the Gensler family gifted $10 million to Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning.
Born in Brooklyn in 1935, he completed his bachelor of architecture degree from Cornell University in 1958, during which time, he met his wife of almost 60 years, Drucilla (Drue) Cortell Gensler. The couple married in 1957 and moved from New York to San Francisco in 1962. In 1965, the Genslers co-founded M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates Inc. with James Follett in a one-room office with one draftsman and $200 in the bank.
Gensler was predeceased by his wife. He is survived by his four sons, David, Robert, Douglas and Kenneth and their families.
- ◦People