Gensler Oakland

At Gensler Oakland, we understand the East Bay from the inside out and bring global design expertise to turn that local knowledge into places that matter. Rooted in Oakland’s culture of creativity, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and community, our team understands what makes the city and its neighborhoods distinct, and where they’re headed next. From transformative workplaces and mixed-use developments to retail, dining, and community destinations, we design for a region in constant evolution. Our architects, designers, strategists, and technologists pair deep East Bay insight with Gensler’s global perspective to shape places that reflect Oakland’s identity, strengthen its communities, and create meaningful experiences for the people who live, work, and gather here.

Awards and Recognition

News

[FPO] Here’s a first look at the Bay Area’s huge new Korean food complex

News

[FPO] Oakland Awarded $14.3 Million in Homekey Funds to Create 40 New Permanent Supportive Housing Units

News

[FPO] Shop! Design Awards Recognized Wilkes Bashford Palo Alto Store with a 2025 Silver Award

News

[FPO] AIA East Bay 2025 Design Awards – Citation Award, Adaptive Reuse

25+

Years of design leadership in the East Bay

70+

Design Professionals in Oakland

1000+

Oakland Led Projects

25+

Years of design leadership in the East Bay

70+

Design Professionals in Oakland

1000+

Oakland Led Projects

Jagalchi reimagines a vacant department store as an immersive culinary destination, bringing Korean culture, renewed energy, jobs, and a new sense of community to Daly City while demonstrating the Oakland office’s ability to transform underused spaces through adaptive reuse and experience-driven design.

Selected Projects

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633 Folsom

633 Folsom reimagines a 1960s office building as a brighter, healthier, lower-carbon workplace for San Francisco’s evolving SoMa (South of Market) district.

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[FPO] 5 ‘Out of the Box’ Strategies for the Retail Real Estate Market

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[FPO] 633 Folsom Transforms Generational Asset Into Class A Tower

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[FPO] What Engagement Really Means: Insights from Gensler’s 2025/2026 Education Engagement Index

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[FPO] How Life Sciences Developments Can Redefine Urban Areas

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Office Managing Directors

Manan Shah

Manan is a Principal and Managing Director whose strength lies in navigating the complex path of building world-class projects in the San Francisco Bay Area, balancing high-value design solutions, stakeholder interests, and local needs to spearhead projects that showcase inclusivity, sustainability, and forward-thinking design.

Regional and Office Leadership

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[FPO] Karen Thomas

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Randy Howder

As Co-Managing Principal of Gensler’s Northwest region, Randy helps transform clients’ organizations through new approaches to design, research, and experience. With a background in strategic consulting and workplace design, he partners with industry-leading clients to create spaces that are more effective, resilient, and responsive to how organizations actually work.

[FPO] Scott Dunlap

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[FPO] Michael Bodziner

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Erin Cubbison

Erin is a Principal and Strategy Director in Gensler’s Oakland office with over two decades of experience in strategic services. She is also a Research Leader at the Gensler Research Institute and has special expertise in user engagement, facilitation, and decision-making methods.

Brent Van Gunten

As a Studio Director based in the Bay Area, Brent guides his teams in developing both new construction and major repositioning for commercial offices, life science facilities, and education projects.

Anna Han

As the Retail and Consumer Experience leader for Gensler's Northwest region, Anna brings nearly two decades of experience managing and delivering diverse retail projects, from custom flagship stores to national rollout programs and food hall conversions.

[FPO] Rashana Zaklit

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Life at Gensler

Our Oakland office is a community of designers and makers who share the city’s independent spirit and commitment to community. Through strong local relationships, including with the Mayor’s office, and a commitment to giving back, we help shape places that reflect Oakland’s character and create meaningful impact.

@genslerbayarea

Join the Team

We’re looking for talented designers, architects, strategists, and thinkers wanting to make an impact.

Join a team that’s shaping the future of Gensler Oakland and beyond.

Open Roles [NEEDS INPUT: careers link]

FAQ

What makes Gensler Oakland different from other Bay Area design firms?

We understand Oakland and the broader East Bay not just as a market, but as a community, and we bring that perspective into every project. What makes us different is our ability to connect design to the bigger picture: revitalizing neighborhoods, transforming existing buildings, strengthening community connections, and creating experiences that reflect the character of the Bay Area.

What types of projects does Gensler Oakland work on?

Gensler Oakland works across a diverse range of project types, including workplace, technology, retail, hospitality, mixed-use, residential, adaptive reuse, education, healthcare, and civic projects. Our multidisciplinary team brings expertise across architecture, interiors, brand, strategy, and planning, allowing us to address complex challenges and create solutions tailored to the unique needs of East Bay communities and clients.

How does Gensler Oakland give back to the community?

Oakland is our home, and we’re committed to creating positive, lasting change through civic engagement, volunteerism, and socially responsible design. Our team actively supports organizations and initiatives across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, partnering with schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses to address community needs.

All Gensler Locations

Washington, D.C.

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Washington, D.C.