All Things Urban

Gehl focuses on the relationship between the built environment and people’s quality of life. Gehl is based in Copenhagen, New York and San Francisco, we create ‘cities for people’.

Gehl is a global urban research and design consultancy. We address urban planning with a people-focused approach, and our services include Public Space Public Life Strategies, Public Space and Street Design and Masterplanning Frameworks.

We apply strategic planning and human-centered design to empower citizens, decision makers, company leaders, and organizations through Process Facilitation, Pilot Projects and Integrated Mobility Strategies.

As thought leaders, we contribute to the field by creating Frameworks for Learning and New Knowledge Creation through ongoing research.

Gehl is searching for a talented full-time Urban Designer to join our San Francisco team. The interested candidates should be an architect or urban designer with 10+ years of professional experience, including project management . If selected, you will join a team of people working globally on ‘making cities for people’ by placing the needs of people at the center of planning, design and the building of healthy, resilient, and inclusive places.

Gehl is currently experiencing growth in the masterplanning field, and we are increasingly guiding complex, multidisciplinary teams through all aspects of masterplanning, from vision to implementation. As trusted advisors to our clients, our obligation is to deliver the best possible quality in all our projects – from the first sketch through to landscape and public space implementation. This also requires a basic understanding of the technical aspects of building construction in order to create building design guidelines and for engaging in dialogue with other architects. As part of our talented team of Urban Designers, the selected applicants will contribute to Gehl’s ongoing development within the masterplanning field in advising how masterplans and specifically the public realm can contribute to quality of life, economic competitiveness, safety for all citizens, social inclusion, and urban sustainability.

Projects will include urban infill, campus and district master plans, streetscapes, and mobility and public life strategies. Within the Urban Designer’s role on projects, active participation in meeting facilitation, engagement sessions, charrettes, and presentations will be expected.

You will be based in San Francisco but will be working on a national, and potentially international, portfolio, which will require travel.

• Manage schedule and budget for masterplanning projects. Represent the firm at client meetings and oversee the work of other designers in the project.
• Support project teams with production of materials, working closely with other designers, and project directors.
• Support communications with clients, other consultants, funders and public agencies. Work with project teams to strategize presentation material and direct the development of Gehl presentations and reports.
• Create working sketches and diagrams to communicate questions and ideas within the project team, and to consultants and clients.
• Research and understand regulations, policies, strategies, guidelines and precedents that guide the project.
• Ideate and graphically communicate concept alternatives for a range of project scales, from furnishings to sites to districts.
• Apply Gehl’s evidence-based design methodology by translating observed use patterns into “people first” design. Communicate this reasoning in clear, graphic arguments.
• Develop design solutions that integrate social function, practicality, context, and innovation.
• Solve spatial problems for circulation and movement, with a focus on active mobility.
• Stay abreast of trends and ideas in the urban environment, referencing precedents to communicate ideas, and apply this knowledge to current projects.
• Work collaboratively with design teams, both internally and externally.

Candidates should have a strong background in urban design and understanding of the principles of people-first design; a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Design, or Architecture; a minimum of 10 years post-graduation work experience preferably working in an urban design studio with masterplanning experience; an exemplary urban design portfolio demonstrating design aptitude, ability to work at multiple scales, and graphic communication ability.

We seek confident and curious designers with a range of technical skills: An understanding of building massing and block design; housing and commercial typologies; site circulation; programming; master planning and project development; public processes and community outreach. An understanding of urban scale and the interplay between buildings, public spaces, and streetscape is essential.

In addition, candidates should show strong graphic skills and ability to communicate ideas and concepts through clear diagrams and data visualization. We seek candidates with sensitivity to graphic design, including balanced layouts, typography, and an expressive use of digital illustration. We are drawn to candidates who demonstrate interest in interdisciplinary practice, recognizing the contribution of social science, sociology, psychology, and other areas beyond the field or architecture.

We seek team members who: are driven by ambition and idealism, but pragmatic and realistic; are active listeners and team players; are open to learning and sharing new knowledge; are sensitive to working with a diverse team and clients; and who possess a professional attitude.

Knowledge of languages other than English is a plus, especially Spanish. Professional licensure is not required.

Our mission is making cities for people, inclusively. We are committed to a building a diverse team and encourage candidates from under-represented communities to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Applicants for this position must have authorization to work legally in the United States and be based in the United States.

We are a global, networked organization focused on creating cities for people. We promote a culture of learning and innovation, drawing on experts from many cities and cultures. Our open, collaborative style allows for growth at all levels of professional development, which we foster through study tours, weekly catered learning lunches, and opportunities to engage in new knowledge creation. Our community of collaborators includes staff in our New York, San Francisco and Copenhagen offices, as well as practitioners and advocates around the world who are committed to sustainability, equity, and livability.

We offer a 401(k) program, health insurance, competitive compensation, and time off.

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.