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michael etzel

michael etzel

Los Angeles

 
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About 

A Senior design architect with unique experience in design direction & management in both architectural firms and corporations.  I spent 7+ years working in the influential studio of Diller Scofdio + Renfro, the first architects to be awarded a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship known as the “genius grants”.  After a great period of my career in New York City I’ve moved back to the west coast to join Gensler Los Angeles.
 
In my time as a senior associate with DS+R I was involved in several ground-breaking projects now under construction.  Before that I served as a creative director for Equinox Health & Fitness Clubs and The Lab @ Rockwell, creating hybrid projects at the intersection of architecture, mobility and interactivity.

In my roles with DS+R, Lab @ Rockwell & Gensler I’ve managed all project aspects from contracts, client contact and design leadership through project documentation, all in a demanding world-class studios. Additionally my achievements include managing a sole practice, in-house design direction for national retail/hospitality roll-out and winning work with large international practices.

Employment 

WD Partners, Irvine, CA, US / Seattle, WA, SENIOR VP, ENVIRONMENTS

Leading development of west coast design & strategy group for consumer experience design firm.

Jan 2019 - current
 

Gensler, Los Angeles, CA, US, SENIOR DESIGNER

Oct 2017 - Dec 2018
 

Diller Scofidio + Renfro, New York, NY, US, SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Jan 2006 - Mar 2013
 

Education 

Columbia University, New York, NY, US, MArch, Advanced Arch Design

Jun 1993 - Jun 1994
 

Areas of Specialization