Design Forecast 2026
6 Trends Shaping Design in 2026
Discover the most important and actionable themes shaping design in 2026, based on over 100 trends across 33 industries around the world.
Blog
How the 2026 Winter Olympic Games Challenges Assumptions About Sports Design
Milan–Cortina 2026 will be held across multiple cities and fragile landscapes, creating a new model for large-scale sporting events.
Blog
Trends to Watch: How Global Events Build Magnetic Place Brands
From the Super Bowl to the FIFA World Cup, marquee events transform urban environments into platforms that amplify civic pride and create lasting impact.
Blog
Designing Women’s Sports Facilities for New Fans and Sponsors
Gensler Sports designers explain how women’s sports facilities are evolving to serve new audiences and opportunities.
Blog
Trends to Watch Shaping the Future of Sports
Gensler’s Sports leaders explore the design trends redefining the next era of sports design, from fan-first districts to athlete-driven spaces.
Blog
The New Economics of Sports Venue Design
From NIL-driven college athletics to multi-tiered VIP lounges and mixed-use districts, sports venues are evolving into dynamic business ecosystems.
Blog
10 Workplace Trends for 2026: What’s In and What’s Out?
This is the year of bold moves, human-first thinking, and AI that doesn’t just answer questions but joins the team.
Blog
Amenity Intelligence: A Smarter Approach to Office Amenities
The future of office amenities isn’t about following trends — it’s about using intelligence to anticipate what users will value tomorrow.
Blog
The Workplace in the Age of AI: Why Human Curiosity Still Matters
How AI adoption impacts three types of knowledge workers, and how the workplace can help them thrive.
In The Media
![]()
Airport Architecture
Airport Architecture Spotlights Gensler-Designed New Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport
The airport was designed with a focus on centering the passenger experience and prioritizing flexibility to “create a building that can be grown into, hacked in the future,” says Gensler Principal Terence Young.
Blog
Designing Tomorrow’s Airports Across Asia and the Middle East
From major international terminals to smaller regional airports, airports in Asia Pacific and the Middle East are reshaping global connectivity.
Blog
Trends to Watch: What’s Next for Airports and Aviation
Gensler’s Aviation leaders take a closer look at the trends shaping the future of travel, and what’s next for the industry.
In The Media
![]()
Semafor
Semafor Explores How Businesses Are Adapting Workspaces to Embrace the AI-Enabled Work Revolution
Gensler Co-CEO Elizabeth Brink shared how organizations are reimagining their physical offices to embrace new technology — and also provide tech-free zones.
Blog
Trends to Watch: What’s Next for Hotels and Hospitality
Gensler’s Hospitality leaders take a closer look at the trends shaping the future of hotels, branded residences, and resorts.
Blog
Designing Tomorrow’s Shopping Centers: Global Ideas From Kuwait, Costa Rica, and Beyond
Around the world, developers are experimenting with new models that expand the meaning of “retail.” For U.S. retail designers, these examples offer valuable lessons for an era defined by shifting consumer behavior, climate pressures, and the need to create authentic community experiences.
In The Media
![]()
I+S
Gensler Co-CEOs Join “I Hear Design” Podcast to Share Key Takeaways From 2026’s Design Forecast
Gensler Co-CEOs Jordan Goldstein and Elizabeth Brink explored how creativity, data, and emerging technologies are shaping the future of cities, workplaces, and experience-driven design.
Blog
Transforming Pier 94: A Collaborative Journey in Sustainable Design and Adaptive Reuse
Pier 94 on Manhattan’s Hudson River waterfront will soon be home to New York City’s first purpose-built, state-of-the-art film and television production facility: Sunset Pier 94 Studios.
In The Media
![]()
Architect Magazine
Is AI Rewriting the Value of Architecture? Gensler Thinks So
Gensler’s 2026 Design Forecast positions AI, human experience, adaptability, and climate resilience as the new drivers of real estate and design value — redefining traditional metrics like square footage and efficiency.
Blog
Designing for Collective Memory and Intelligence in the Workplace
We see signs of high collective intelligence in the highest performing workplaces. Here are three ways we can design for collective memory and intelligence.
Blog
NEXT NEXT: Redefining Science Work for the AI and Machine Era
Our new concept looks at how AI and automation are redefining the science workplace and reshaping the future of labs.
Blog
Test, Don’t Guess: A New Approach for Healthcare Design
Healthcare leaders are modeling multiple futures before breaking ground — shifting from fixed bets to flexible strategies.
Blog
A Workplace That Adapts and Improves: A New Model in the Age of AI
Office space is viewed as a depreciating asset. We invite clients to truly future-proof their workplace: creating infrastructure that allows for it to adapt, flex, and grow as the business does; a pivot-in-thinking that will be crucial in the coming era of workplace planning and real estate.
Blog
A Playbook for Sustainable Design Education
How Gensler and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, created a replicable curriculum model to prepare architects for climate-conscious design.
We are creating a better world through the power of design.
Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm with 56 locations across Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Every day we impact millions of people’s lives with the spaces we create, which is why people are at the center of everything we do. Designing for the human experience is what allows us to tackle the toughest challenges facing cities and shape a more resilient and inclusive future for everyone.
Learn more about GenslerSPOTLIGHT
Real Estate Value Moves From Square Footage to Human Connection
FEATURED PROJECTS
M&T Bank Stadium
Baltimore, Maryland
Gensler is partnering with the Baltimore Ravens to design a series of projects that will enhance the gameday and year-round fan experience at M&T Stadium.
Al-Ahly Stadium
Cairo, Egypt
Gensler has developed a concept design for a world-class, ground-up stadium for the Al-Ahly football club that redefines the fan experience, drives economic growth, and sets a new benchmark in sports architecture globally.
Chicago Fire FC Stadium
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago Fire FC Stadium amplifies the fan experience and serves as the cornerstone of the city’s newest mixed-use district, The 78.
Want more of Gensler’s design insights? Sign up for our dialogue Now newsletters to get regular updates sent directly to your inbox.
Design Your Career With Us
We grow our firm by growing our people — if you are a recent graduate or a seasoned designer who believes in the power of design, we invite you to search for opportunities and explore how you can reimagine the future with us.