Shaping Our Cities

David calkins, asia pacific and middle east regional managing principal of gensler, believes that the future of sustainable, versatile cities lies in creative architecture and design.

- Ashton Kobler

Having moved to Singapore from Houston almost two years ago to take on the role of Asia Pacific and Middle East Regional Managing Principal of Gensler, David Calkins thrives on Asia’s energy and development. “The booming economy and incredible growth that we’re seeing is amazing,” he enthuses. “The region I oversee spans across Tokyo, Dubai, Sydney, and Bangalore; it’s so diverse and rich in its cultures.”

As an award-winning architect and interior designer, David seamlessly transitioned from design roles into leadership roles. “I was fortunate,” he reflects. “I had a fairly broad experience, so while my focus was always design, I made sure to expose myself to the business aspects of the profession.

“I would say that I still am in a creative role. I work directly with clients and bring new ones into the firm. The process of business development as we engage in it is very creative. Every client has a different set of needs, so we tailor our approach to that.”

Gensler is a mission-driven firm, and it believes in making the world a better place through the power of design. “We’re deeply committed to shaping the future of the world’s cities,” David says. “There are several key aspects that go into this, including climate change and how we can design in a highly sustainable and reliant way. We’re also looking at the future of mobility in these cities, along with technology and smart cities. Our job is to make the world a better place.”