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
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
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
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
![]()
FOX
Gensler’s City Pulse 2025 Findings Reinforce Trend of Cities Adapting By Prioritizing Mixed-Use Vibrancy, Affordability, and Resilience
“Americans are not abandoning cities. They're moving to cities that feel affordable, safe, and vibrant,” noted Gensler Cities Research Lead Sofia Song, who shared findings from the latest cities report.
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
Beyond the Screen: Making Digital Beauty Brands Shine in Real Life
How digital-first retailers can navigate the crucial transition of a brand into physical space.
In The Media
![]()
Forbes
Forbes Spotlights Gensler’s Nature-Led Design at Nekajui, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
Gensler’s Rashana Zaklit highlights how the luxury hospitality experience followed a nature-led, site-responsive design approach.
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.
In The Media
![]()
The Prix Versailles
Gensler-Designed SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Honored With the Prix Versailles 2025 Best of Show Prize in Aviation
The prestigious Prix Versailles Awards celebrate projects that go beyond functionality to embody beauty, cultural integration, and sustainability.
Press Release
Gensler Honors Students as Recipients of the 2025 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship & Opportunity Scholarship
Gensler is proud to announce two emerging designers have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship and 15 architecture students have been awarded the 2025 Gensler Opportunity Scholarship.
In The Media
![]()
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal Featured Insights From Gensler Principal Todd Heiser on How AI-Powered Sensors Can Fine-Tune the Workplace in Real-Time
Gensler’s Todd Heiser breaks down how major tech and consulting firms are utilizing AI-powered sensors that learn employees’ comfort preferences and adjust automatically.
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.
In The Media
![]()
Fortune
Gensler’s Ray Yuen Led a Discussion on the Future of Workplace Design at the Fortune Brainstorm Design Forum in Macau
Gensler Hong Kong Managing Director Ray Yuen led a discussion at Fortune’s Brainstorm Design Forum on designing experiences to draw employees back to the office.
Blog
The New Job for the Airport CEO: It’s More Challenging — and More Uplifting — Than Ever
In this pivotal moment, we have an opportunity to design airports and terminals that feel less like infrastructure and more like inspirational destinations.
Blog
More Than Just a Seat: The Lounge as the New Travel Destination
The new airport lounge is less about claiming a seat and more about creating a collection of experiences.
Blog
Designing the Future of Travel at Pittsburgh International Airport
Building a terminal rooted in flexibility, passenger experience, and the spirit of a city that’s reinventing itself.
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.
Blog
The Top 10 Cities People Don’t Want to Leave
Gensler’s 2025 City Pulse survey reveals the top cities where people not only move to, but also stay long-term.
Blog
San Francisco’s AI Boom Is Our Chance to Build a People-First City
The AI gold rush presents a rare opportunity to reinvest in our urban core, reconnect our neighborhoods, and rebuild our streets.
Blog
Age-Welcoming Cities: Designing for an Era of Longevity
The challenge of a rapidly aging population also presents an opportunity: to reimagine how we plan our cities.
Blog
Mixed-Use Developments: A Sustainable Blueprint for Urban Growth
High-density mixed-use developments can be a powerful engine for economic growth, resilience, and cultural and socioeconomic cohesion.
Research
The Future of the U.S. Healthcare Ecosystem
The integrated healthcare ecosystem drives innovation and improves community outcomes, positively impacting cost, health, and climate.
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.
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
Capital One Arena
Washington, D.C.
Downtown Washington, D.C.’s premier sports and entertainment venue has entered a new chapter that solidifies the structure’s enduring legacy as the central hub of the city’s vibrant urban core.
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.
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.
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.