How to turn a firm into a family

Architect Arthur Gensler champions the need to make all employees feel a sense of belonging

When Arthur Gensler set up his eponymous architecture firm 52 years ago, he had just $200 to his name. He had a wife, Drue Cortell, and two sons. He was living from pay check to pay check.

Apart from his wife, who helped with administrative matters, Gensler had only one employee named Jim Follett, a draftsman. All he had in his tiny sublet office space located near Jackson Square in San Francisco was four drafting tables.