Project Architect - Commercial

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve challenging problems. Whether you’re into sketching new ideas, hacking a building or growing client relationships in global markets, there’s something here for everyone.

Our depth of expertise spans disciplines—from aviation and transportation to education, hospitality, retail, technology and more. At our core we embody an entrepreneurial spirit, always looking ahead for new ways to innovate and add to our clients' success. We share the belief that design has the power to transform organizations and change lives; whether we’re refreshing a retailer’s brand, planning a new urban district or designing a super tall building.

Our work reflects an enduring commitment to sustainability, and we believe that a diversity of voices and cultures is one of the most powerful strategic tools for securing lasting competitive advantage.

As the world’s largest design firm, Gensler has a unique obligation and opportunity to focus on sustainability in the built environment. We deepened our commitment to combat the impact on climate change in the built environment when we launched Gensler Cities Climate Challenge (GC3) in 2019. This is our pledge to meet an ambitious goal: the elimination of all greenhouse gases from our work by 2030.

Your Role

We are currently seeking a highly experienced Project Architect for Mixed Use (commercial/residential led developments with retail/hospitality) to collaborate with the entire studio and lead teams to develop design solutions and coordinate through all phases of a project. Leverage your industry expertise, design abilities, and technical acumen to drive projects from concept through construction.

You are a seasoned Architect and recognized contributor to high-profile, design driven projects. Our team is highly creative, collaborative, and dedicated to innovative problem solving and design excellence. You demonstrate innovative thinking, balanced with ability to present real-world technical solutions to new design challenges. You thrive with personal responsibility and accountability but embody and embrace open communication and team-oriented success. 

You will work closely with the Principal-In-Charge, the Design Director, and the Design Manager within our collaborative and supportive team environment to develop projects from conceptual design through execution. A well-rounded and thoughtful approach to design forms the foundation of our practice and our clients hire us because they believe in the transformative power of design.

What You Will Do

• Manage the design and delivery for a range of project types in a variety of settings, including high-rise, commercial-office building led, and residential-led mixed-use. 

• Lead project meetings and presentations; ensure client is adequately briefed on project progress. 

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of clients’ program requirements and standards and policies for completion to share with your project teams. 

• Lead the communication between the project team, clients, contractors and consultants. 

• Actively lead a range of project team sizes for successful delivery. 

• Assist in establishing overall project budgets and milestone schedules in coordination with Design Manager and Design Director. 

• Ensure all work is carried out to the requirements of the client, with the design team working to the correct specifications and delivering a high quality and timely product to the client. 

• Anticipate and resolve complex technical and design issues as they arise during document preparation and construction administration. 

• Collaborate with design team, clients, consultants, contractors, fabricators, regulatory agencies and other vendors to meet overall project objectives. 

• Provide design and technical guidance and innovative solutions to resolve design and technical challenges. 

• Lead more junior members of staff: motivate and ensure quality of work; ensure clear communication; understand the skills of the team and wider resources within the office. 

• Be an advocate for Gensler sustainability commitments internally and externally. 

• Make sustainability an integral part of every project.

• Define project sustainability targets in collaboration with the client and the project team at the start of each project. 

• Understand clients ESG goals and work with project teams towards achieving them.

• Support and encourage team members to pursue sustainability learning. 

• Involvement in office, regional and sector business development initiatives. 

• Contribute to office activities, initiatives, and learning programs. 

Your Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture; Master’s degree preferred. 

• Must be a Registered Architect. 

• Extensive portfolio of work, preferably in commercial-led and residential-led, but also across various practice areas. 

• 10+ years of project experience in an architectural practice with experience in several practice areas. 

• Demonstrable experience in large projects with complex stakeholders. 

• Ability to maintain and nurture existing client relationships and build new ones. 

• Proven performance in leading the design and delivery process across the entire project lifecycle. 

• Experience leading, managing and mentoring multiple project teams. 

• Proven experience in fiscal accountability on various project types. 

• Strong leadership, organizational, communication and relationship management skills. 

• Well-rounded, strategic thinker with an integrated approach to design, management, and technical project resolution who can help shape a vision for the future. 

• Advanced working knowledge of architecture design principles, technical details, material characteristics, building codes, standards and accessibility requirements. 

• Ability to handle challenging situations with tact, grace and emotional intelligence. 

• Demonstrated passion for design thinking. 

• Knowledge in sustainable design principles required.

• LEED, WELL, Fitwel, LFA or other rating systems accreditation preferable.

• Understand key principles for leading and achieving net zero projects. 

• Capacity to drive sustainability focused discussions with clients and teams.

• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability and sustainable building practices required. 

• Previous experience in sustainable design projects preferred. At least one project of the candidate portfolio should showcase this focus. Especially built projects with LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel and /or Net Zero Building certification. 

• Advanced knowledge of design software including Revit; Rhino; Illustrator; InDesign; Photoshop, Navisworks etc.

Your Design Technology Qualifications

Essential:

• Deep understanding and expertise in Autodesk Revit for design authoring, documentation, data extracts and project delivery. 

• Deep understanding and expertise in Rhinoceros for design authoring. 

• Good knowledge and experience with interoperability workflows between Rhino & Revit throughout all the stages of a project. 

• Basic understanding and familiarity with real-time rendering processes, and material creation & management within the context of integrated BIM and parametric workflows. 

• Basic understanding and familiarity with Computational Design applications such as Grasshopper and/or Dynamo. 

• Basic understanding and familiarity with simulation principles and processes, including interpretation, and application of results. 

Desirable:

• Good knowledge and experience with the strategic planning, and setup of BIM projects. 

• Good knowledge and experience with collaboration within the BIM context, including cloud-based markups, consultant coordination and clash detection. 

• Understanding of the capabilities and application of Information Management tools such as Aconex, Asite, Newforma, etc.

• Good knowledge and experience with Computational Design applications such as Grasshopper and/or Dynamo. 

• Good knowledge and experience with simulation principles and processes, including interpretation, and application of results. Familiarity with Performance Design applications such as Autodesk Insight, Sefaira, and Ladybug tools. 

• Good knowledge and experience in the use of VR walkthroughs and panoramas for client presentations, consultant coordination and internal design reviews. 

Applications we work with:

• Design Authoring - Revit, Rhino, Autocad, Navisworks

• Collaboration - BIM360 • Computational Design - Grasshopper, Dynamo

• Building Performance Simulation - Insight, Sefaira, Diva, Ladybug tools

• Visualisation – Vray, Enscape, Twinmotion, 3DSMax ,Graphics & Productivity - Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, • Experiential – Unreal Engine, Unity ,Development – C#, Python

*To be considered, please submit portfolio and/or work samples in PDF format* 

Life at Gensler

Gensler Asia-Pacific and Middle East is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through our Five Strategies. In partnership with our clients, we strive to create a just and equitable future for our communities and our colleagues. We celebrate our diversity and are focused on creating an inclusive workplace environment for all.

As a people-first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From internal design competitions to research grants to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability and wellness programs. We also offer profit sharing and twice annual bonus opportunities. As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.