CLIMATE ACTION
THROUGH DESIGN
TRANSFORMING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOR A NET ZERO FUTURE
The first full mass timber project in Texas, the net zero First United Bank branch utilizes materials that sequester carbon dioxide instead of emitting it.
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE MORAL AND BUSINESS IMPERATIVE OF OUR TIME.
Our portfolio is already designed to save over 17 million metric tons of CO2 from being emitted on a yearly basis. But there’s still so much more work to do — and it can’t be done without the help of our clients, colleagues, and industry. Our mission is to transform the built environment for a net zero future with every project, in every location, and for every person.
Graphical user interface, website.
Download Climate Action Through Design
WE ARE TAKING ACTION TO REIMAGINE CITIES FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE.
Introduction
Environmental, social, and governance goals are essential as we tackle climate change.
Toward Net Zero Energy
Design solutions that combine cost-effective energy paired with renewable technologies.
The Right Materials
When you do build new, focus on low‑impact and low‑carbon resources.
Real Estate Must Adapt
The climate is already changing — real estate must adapt accordingly.
The Adaptive Reuse Revolution
Reuse strategies at every scale are cost-effective with reduced carbon impact.
The New Design Journey
How we’ve adapted our design process to meet the challenge of climate change.
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CLIMATE
ACTION
THROUGH DESIGN

633 Folsom, San Francisco

Transforming the Built Environment for a Net Carbon Future

Achieving zero carbon impact across our portfolio — and the broader design industry — represents an incredible opportunity to address mitigation and resiliency. As the largest design firm in the world, we are using the power of our scale and global reach to amplify the systemic progress necessary for consequential climate action.

We continue our commitment to the Gensler Cities Carbon Challenge (GC3) with a goal of a zero-carbon impact portfolio by 2030. This year’s Climate Action Through Design report shows solutions in action through a handful of our projects around the world.

Climate Action Through Design Case Studies

Design Solutions That Draw from a Spectrum of Sustainable Strategies

SFO Harvey B. Milk Terminal 1 check-in lobby.

Harvey B. Milk Terminal 1 Renovation

Reductions in energy, carbon, and waste impacts makes SFO’s Harvey B. Milk Terminal a sustainable benchmark for future airports by setting new standards through its Triple Zero Challenge.
CSULB Parkside North Residence Hall courtyard.

CSULB Parkside North Residence Hall

California State University, Long Beach’s goal is to achieve carbon-zero status by 2030 as well as LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge Certifications through sustainable student housing.
Ericsson USA 5G Smart Factory communal cafe.

Ericsson USA 5G Smart Factory

Ericsson’s USA 5G Smart Factory moves manufacturing closer to their consumers and prioritizes operational efficiency.
Mass General Brigham Integrated Care Facility hallway rendering with people.

Mass General Brigham Integrated Care Facility

Mass General Brigham’s new ambulatory care facility is poised to become a vital community resource and act as a high-performance prototype for healthcare.
TK Elevator North America Regional Business Support Center aerial shot

TK Elevator North America Regional Business Support Center

The tallest elevator test tower in the United States connects sustainable design, engineering acumen, and storytelling.
Under Armour building exterior rendering.

Under Armour Global Headquarters

Under Armour’s proposed building, constructed almost entirely of mass timber, is pursuing net zero energy operations, the WELL Building Standard, and LEED v4 Platinum Certification.
Guangzhou Substation Concept daytime rendering.

Guangzhou Substation Concept Proposal

A non-typical approach to urban infrastructure creates community and supports local ecologies in the development of a new electrical substation.
Fifth + Tillery breezeway with mass timber and greenery.

Fifth + Tillery

Fifth + Tillery, a warehouse converted into a multi-tenant office building, creates a draw for creative tenants in Austin via a high-performance space that produces its own energy, captures water runoff, and nurtures a rain garden.
Avon Lake Renewable Master Plan lakefront rendering.

Avon Lake Renewable Master Plan

A decommissioned power plant was converted into a community amenity through adaptive reuse, land remediation, and economic development strategies that breathe new life into the stranded asset.
Torre Judicial office building aerial view.

Torre Judicial

This new government workplace building is designed to maximize energy efficiency, performance, and occupant well-being while enhancing community health.
LinkedIn Omaha cafe-style seating with LinkedIn logo on wall.

LinkedIn Omaha

LinkedIn Omaha’s future-focused headquarters uses sustainable materials and strategies at every turn to support employee and building health, creating an optimistic future for the workplace.
A group of people walking outside of a building.

100 New Bridge Street

A transformed central London office building has been repositioned with a strong commitment to material reuse that maximizes the building’s sustainability, wellness, and ESG credentials.
The Link rooftop amenities.

The Link

An aging 1960s-era telecom tower was repositioned into a creative, modern, mixed-use hub in Downtown Denver’s business core.
CLIMATE ACTION STRATEGIES
A large room with people and a large chandelier.

Toward Net Zero Energy

Gensler’s Climate Action Through Design report focuses on how we can create net zero energy buildings delivered through design solutions that combine cost-effective energy efficiency paired with renewable technologies.
A building with windows.

The Right Materials

Architects and designers can decrease embodied carbon levels through the building materials they choose to work with. Gensler’s Climate Action Through Design report explains the impact of commonly used materials.
A large courtyard with a fountain in it surrounded by buildings.

Real Estate Must Adapt

The climate is already changing — real estate must adapt accordingly. Gensler’s Climate Action report covers design strategies for investors to mitigate the risk of rising water and manage the heat.
A man and woman sitting in a lobby with large screens.

The Adaptive Reuse Revolution

Gensler’s Climate Action Through Design report explains how we can improve climate impact by extending the life of existing buildings with cost-effective adaptive reuse strategies at every scale.
A group of people walking around a city.

The New Design Journey

To achieve a net zero carbon portfolio by 2030, we optimized our design process from end to end. The result has been a whole new design and client journey from kick-off to completion.
A building with glass windows.

The Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3)

The Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) is our roadmap for how we intend to help our clients reach their carbon targets and achieve our goal of making every building in our portfolio net zero carbon within a decade.
A building with glass windows.

Webinar: Climate Action Through Design

Gensler’s Design Resilience leaders share design considerations and strategies for transforming the built environment for a net zero future.
 
Learn more about Gensler's sustainability services, goals, and initatives »
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