Gensler’s Design Forecast 2025-Gensler’s Design Forecast 2025 Record

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the ACEC National 2025 market briefing, Gensler's Sam Martin and Tim Pittman presented their annual Design Forecast highlighting five key trends shaping the built environment. They emphasized the rise of mixed-use "experience-driven lifestyle districts" as new urban anchors post-pandemic, blending residential, retail, hospitality, and entertainment to revitalize city centers. The importance of climate-resilient buildings was highlighted, showing that sustainable, hardened designs enhance asset values while addressing extreme weather risks and boosting innovation in materials like mass timber and green cement. Building conversions are gaining momentum globally, turning underused offices into multifamily residences, labs, and community spaces. Affordable "missing middle" housing remains critical, with new incentives and design strategies needed to meet demand. The workplace of the future, now present, prioritizes high-performance, flexible, collaborative spaces within vibrant, transit-accessible neighborhoods. Research shared underscores employee preference for premium, amenity-rich office environments supporting diverse work activities. Discussion topics included impacts of inflation, federal return-to-work policies, AI integration, regional conversion trends, and future forecast areas such as sports districts, energy infrastructure, healthcare, and transportation. The forecast serves as a comprehensive tool for industry stakeholders to navigate evolving market challenges and opportunities for 2025 and beyond.

Keywords

ACEC National 2025

Gensler Design Forecast

experience-driven lifestyle districts

climate-resilient buildings

building conversions

missing middle housing

future workplace design

urban revitalization

AI integration in architecture