Gensler appoints Elliott Pears as regional sports lead for Asia Pacific and the Middle East
A new leadership front for a surging market
Global design firm Gensler has appointed Elliott Pears to direct its sports practice across the Asia Pacific and Middle East. Stationed in the region, Pears will orchestrate design direction, client relationships and collaborative delivery across Gensler’s offices as public and private investment in stadiums, arenas and mixed‑use sports districts accelerates. The move positions Gensler to respond to rising event calendars, urban densification and evolving revenue models-driven in part by the rapid growth of esports and immersive fan experiences.
Mandate and remit: what the regional sports lead will deliver
In his capacity as regional sports lead, Elliott Pears will establish an integrated approach for projects ranging from elite competition venues and high‑performance training centres to local recreation hubs. Key responsibilities include:
– Aligning multidisciplinary teams across markets to ensure consistent design quality and operational thinking.
– Embedding legacy strategies so venues remain vibrant and financially viable beyond marquee events.
– Applying data and simulation tools to refine crowd circulation, safety planning and service operations.
– Advising on digital ecosystems that span broadcast infrastructure, augmented/virtual experiences and interoperable ticketing systems.
Four design pillars shaping Gensler’s sports practice
Pears’ brief emphasises four interdependent priorities that reflect regional conditions and client goals:
– Net‑zero readiness: minimizing both embodied and operational carbon through material selection, energy optimisation and whole‑life planning.
– Technology‑first venues: building resilient digital backbones to support 5G, high‑bandwidth broadcasting, esports activations and immersive content.
– Flexible precincts: creating multi‑program districts that activate surrounding neighbourhoods year‑round and diversify revenue sources.
– Community inclusion: prioritising universal accessibility and designing civic‑value outcomes that benefit local residents as well as event attendees.
Regional strategies tailored to distinct markets
Gensler will calibrate solutions to the differing maturity and demand profiles across the two regions:
– Middle East: designing large‑scale, flagship arenas and legacy frameworks linked to major international tournaments and national sporting strategies.
– Asia Pacific: expanding grassroots facilities, training centres and venues that support the rapid development of domestic leagues and community sport.
– Cross‑regional initiatives: advancing circular economy approaches, modular seating solutions and climate‑responsive building envelopes that can be adapted across contexts.
Design responses tuned to climate and culture
Asia Pacific and the Middle East cover a wide range of climates and cultural expectations. Under Pears’ leadership, design responses will include:
– Climate‑responsive façades and shading systems that reduce cooling demand in hot, humid or desert environments while improving spectator comfort.
– Scalable seating bowls and demountable elements that allow capacity to be reconfigured for different event types.
– Real‑time operations platforms using sensors and analytics to optimise flows, concessions, cleaning and maintenance schedules.
– Hospitality and fan‑experience strategies customised to local customs, food cultures and service expectations.
Technology and fan engagement: marrying broadcast with participation
The region’s rapid 5G rollouts and high mobile engagement-especially in markets such as China, South Korea and Japan-create opportunities for richer fan experiences. Gensler’s approach will blend:
– Infrastructure for high‑quality live streaming and in‑venue broadcasting.
– Spaces designed to host blended events that combine physical competition with simultaneous esports activations and virtual audiences.
– Digital wayfinding, contactless services and personalised content delivery that reduce friction from arrival to departure. (Global esports audiences already exceed half a billion people, illustrating the commercial potential of hybrid events that link physical venues with digital communities.)
Lessons from recent events and practical precedents
Major international events have underlined both the risks of one‑off infrastructure and the value of legacy planning. Tokyo 2020 and recent Middle Eastern tournaments demonstrated that integrating transport upgrades, temporary structures and adaptive reuses can convert event spending into enduring urban benefits. Gensler intends to test innovations such as modular fit‑outs, subscription‑style membership models for venue access, and retrofit packages that support circular reuse of materials and components.
Measurable outcomes Gensler will pursue
Gensler’s sports practice is targeting concrete, client‑centred metrics:
– Reduced energy and water intensity on event and non‑event days through passive design, efficient systems and operations.
– Seamless, personalised fan journeys enabled by digital wayfinding, predictive queuing and targeted amenities.
– A future‑ready digital layer capable of supporting AR overlays, esports productions and robust live broadcasting.
– Stronger urban connectivity with transit links, retail integration and public realm improvements that keep precincts active year‑round.
Why this matters: economic, social and environmental gains
Sport infrastructure is increasingly deployed to stimulate tourism, diversify local economies and support population health. By combining design excellence with operational and commercial realism, Gensler-under Elliott Pears-aims to help stakeholders achieve sustained returns on infrastructure while meeting higher expectations for sustainability, accessibility and community value.
Outlook: positioning for a shifting marketplace
With continued public‑private investment and a steady pipeline of international and regional events, demand for adaptable, tech‑enabled and low‑carbon venues is expected to remain robust. Gensler’s enhanced regional leadership and focus on data‑driven, net‑zero‑ready design equip the firm to advise operators, developers and city authorities on facilities that perform commercially, lower environmental footprints and deliver civic benefits long after the final whistle.
Conclusion: shaping long‑term sporting places
Elliott Pears’ appointment as regional sports lead for Asia Pacific and the Middle East reinforces Gensler’s commitment to designing the next generation of stadiums, arenas and sports precincts. By prioritising sustainability, digital readiness and legacy outcomes, the practice seeks to create venues that serve fans, teams and cities sustainably and inclusively for decades to come.