137: Gensler's Jared Krieger, Co-Managing Director Boston

Jared Krieger is the Co-Managing Director of Boston for Gensler, the largest architecture firm in the world. He has a longstanding career in architecture, having been with Gensler since 2007. Jared's expertise spans multiple high-profile projects, from tall office buildings to mixed-use complexes worldwide, including airports and convention centers. 

Jared shares how the firm is steering toward experience-based design, which prioritizes interactive, collaborative spaces in response to post-pandemic shifts in workplace needs. The conversation also unravels how Gensler maintains its competitive edge by fostering a culture of collaboration across its 57 offices worldwide.

The episode highlights Gensler's adaptive organizational structure, which encourages innovation through its cost-center model, allowing seamless integration across diverse project teams. The discussion wraps up with insights into the thriving business model at Gensler, which fuels growth and retains top talent, fostering innovation through collaborative and flexible practices.

Key Takeaways:

• Gensler is the world's largest architecture firm, driven by a collaborative and innovative culture that embraces experience-based design.
• The firm hosts weekly global leadership calls, promoting insights and trends sharing across its worldwide offices to adapt rapidly to market demands.
• Jared emphasizes the importance of creating collaborative work environments that attract talent and fuel innovation, especially post-pandemic.
• Gensler's organizational structure as a cost-center model rather than a profit-center fosters collaboration, enabling seamless integration across projects and offices.
• The integration of advanced technologies, including AI, in Gensler's design processes enhances ideation, conceptualization, and client engagement, positioning the firm at the industry's cutting edge.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It's really experience-based design is what we are seeing in everything."
2. "If it's better for the client and the firm, don't worry about where the profit is hosted."
3. "Communication is always the hardest thing on a project. So I'm actually saying we should step back from technology sometimes and let the communication happen how it should face to face."
4. "Our client's point of view defines the success of a project."
5. "I've always felt comfortable at Gensler that you've got space to try something different."

Resources:

• Gensler Website
• Drexel University's Architecture Program
• Book: "The Anxious Generation"
• For more insights from Jared Krieger, follow him on LinkedIn and check out Gensler's projects in your local area to see innovation in architecture firs

Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.

Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!

Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!
Design Development Podcast!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/