Gensler Invests in Future Design Leaders with New Sustainable Education Initiative

The Firm Has Launched a Pilot Program Through the Gensler Charitable Gift Fund To Advance Sustainable Design Education

SAN FRANCISCO — Global architecture and design firm Gensler is proud to announce the launch of the “Reimagining Resiliency, Securing Sustainability” pilot program as part of the Gensler Charitable Gift Fund. This exciting new initiative is designed to support university faculty in developing courses that equip future design professionals with the skills they need to implement viable sustainable design strategies in their professional practice.

For its inaugural program, Gensler has partnered with University of Tennessee, Knoxville, (UT) College of Architecture and Design and Lawrence Technological University (LTU) College of Architecture and Design, who have each been awarded a one-time $100,000 philanthropic donation. These gifts will fund the creation and implementation of interdisciplinary undergraduate courses focused on sustainable design, to be offered in the Fall 2024 semester.

“This pilot program reflects Gensler’s commitment to advancing the next generation of design professionals who are prepared to lead our industry in sustainability,” said Robin Klehr Avia, Chair of the Gensler Charitable Gift Fund. “By supporting these innovative courses, we aim to inspire students to think critically about the environmental impact of their work and to equip them with the tools necessary to drive meaningful change in the built environment.”

Gensler principals will also serve as champions at each school, providing practice-based advice, facilitating access to resources from the Gensler Research Institute, and participating in final course critiques.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, (UT) College of Architecture and Design’s course submission is titled “Zero|Spec Workshop.” This will be an interdisciplinary course that aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application in sustainable architecture. Students will work in teams to refine building designs, focusing on system integration, material specification, and energy modeling to achieve zero energy and zero carbon outcomes.

Lawrence Technological University (LTU) College of Architecture and Design’s course submission, titled “Mass Timber / Massive Cooperation,” will explore the use of mass timber in architecture, emphasizing the life cycle of sustainable building materials. Students will engage in hands-on projects and collaborate across disciplines, including architecture, interior design, engineering, and business, to develop carbon-negative buildings in the Detroit metro area.

The “Reimagining Resiliency, Securing Sustainability” pilot program is part of a broader initiative by Gensler to support educational institutions in developing forward-thinking curricula that align with the realities of professional practice. The courses developed through this program have the potential to serve as models for other universities, with the goal of replicating and sustaining these educational efforts in future semesters.

For more information about the Gensler Charitable Gift Fund and the Reimagining Resiliency, Securing Sustainability pilot program, please contact: , Global Community Impact Leader at Gensler.