Naomi Sakomoto

I studied urban design, linguistics, and civil engineering before finding my calling in architecture. I worked for small architecture firms in Beijing and Paris for the first portion of my career, and then joined Gensler’s San Francisco office over 8 years ago, working on projects from high-rise residential towers in Mumbai to airport terminals to tech company headquarters. I joined the London office three years ago, and now lead a studio that focuses on workplace design for pioneers in tech and the life sciences. I’m passionate about sustainability, social equity, and design for innovation, and the importance of collaboration to get us there!

I’m originally from San Francisco but have lived and worked all over the world, including Honolulu, Kyoto, Tokyo, Boston, Beijing, and 5 years in Paris. Fun fact: my great-grandmother grew up in Hackney, less than a mile from where I live today! In my earlier life I was known to play saxophone and football, do ethnic dance (Hawaiian and Indonesian), and learn new languages for fun. But nowadays I’m a mum of two young boys and spend most of my time protecting them from each other, and my house from them!