M. Arthur Gensler Jr.

MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA — Gensler Jr., M. Arthur 1935–2021

M. Arthur Gensler Jr. of Mill Valley and Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Died peacefully on the morning of May 10th in his home in Mill Valley. The only child of Millard Arthur Sr. and Gertrude Gensler, Art was born on July 12th, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. He completed his Bachelor of Architecture degree at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning in 1958, during which time he met Drucilla (Drue) Cortell who he would marry in 1957. They would go on to spend 60 extraordinary years together. After living for 2 years in Kingston, Jamaica and working for a British design firm, Art and Drue returned briefly to New York, only to move their growing family to San Francisco shortly thereafter in 1962. In 1965, they co-founded M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, in a oneroom office and with only $200 in the bank. That company would ultimately become the global design firm known as Gensler.

A passionate leader of Gensler’s “one-firm firm” philosophy, Art embodied its culture of mutual trust, respect, passion, empathy, and team spirit. He believed in building a ‘constellation of stars,’ rather than focusing on individual accomplishments.

Art believed that the architecture and design profession had a responsibility to lead on environmental challenges. In 2012, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded him the prestigious President’s Award, recognizing his pioneering vision for the green building industry.

July 12, 1935 - May 10, 2021

Art’s innovative design thinking is now the model for the architectural and design profession. In 2000, his namesake firm was the recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ Architecture Firm of the Year. Art was also named a Fellow of both the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association, and a professional member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He received a Design Futures Council Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. A charter member of Interior Design magazine’s Hall of Fame and a recipient of IIDA’S Star Award. Art also received Ernst & Young LLP’S Lifetime Achievement Award and the Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Art’s commitment to his community was felt most significantly through his involvement in the San Francisco Committee on Jobs, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and the San Francisco Center for Economic Development. He was passionate about education, philanthropy, and the arts. Art served on the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, the National Building Museum in Washington,

D.C., and the California College of the Arts.

For decades, he supported scholarships, student internships, and nurtured the careers of thousands of young architects and designers. In 2015, he wrote Art’s Principles offering today’s young entrepreneurs business insights which he wished had been shared with him during the early development of the business. His commitment to Cornell University, through his donations and participation as an alumni Advisory Board member left a lasting impact on the development of its campus and the expansion of several significant programs within the AAP College. His more recent support of the California College of Arts, as Board Chair, led to the development of an expanded campus and a new building in the heart of San Francisco.

In addition to his love for his profession and the organizations he supported, Art was passionate about travel, friendship and most importantly family. He cherished annual gatherings when his entire family would convene on Kauai, HI or at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA sharing rounds of golf, tennis, naps on the beach, glasses of oaky California Chardonnay at sunset, waiting for the green flash and festive family dinners. Art provided sage guidance, unconditional love and limitless support. He encouraged all to live a full life and follow their passions wherever they may lead. His enthusiasm for the game of golf became an avenue for him to spend memorable time with his boys and many friends. One of his fondest memories, was having the opportunity to play a couple rounds with a dear friend and Arnold Palmer at Augusta National. Art traveled the world with his wife Drue and many of their closest friends, there was not a continent missed and several visited many times over.

Art is quoted as having said, “Remember, you only go around once, work hard, play hard, have fun, and give back. Your life will be enriched, and it will be more fun. What more can you ask for?” Words which he himself lived by.

Art was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Drucilla (Drue) Cortell Gensler. He is survived by his four sons and their families: David, of Sebastopol, CA and his children (Aaron, Thisbe, Dunia, and Pales) with Alisoun; Robert and his wife Gillian, of Rancho Sante Fe, CA; Douglas and his wife Kinzie, of Winchester, MA and their children (Cortie, Cailin, and Mamie); and Kenneth, of Carlsbad, CA and his children (Morgan, Jake, and Sam) with Jennifer and their grandchild Charlotte (Art’s great-grandchild).

A private “Celebration of Life” will be held at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the California College of the Arts Diversity Scholarship Fund. To give please visit: cca.edu/give or the CCA website at https://cca.edu/giving/. For questions, please contact CCA Director of Advancement Services Crystal Shreve at crystal. shreve@cca.edu or (415) 551-9394.