February 10, 2026

We recently sat down with Tim Annin, an architect and Community Impact leader at Gensler. Whether refining site designs to help residents feel at home, working with building officials to secure key approvals, or organizing collaborative volunteer efforts like the Cherry Avenue murals, Gensler is redefining what it means to design for healing and hope. In this interview, Tim shares what drew the team to the work, how urgency and care can coexist in design, and why this moment matters.

DignityMoves: When you began working on your first DignityMoves project, what resonated with you, and how did that influence your approach going forward?

TA: DignityMoves was founded on the radical belief that we can solve street homelessness. The mission inspired us from our very first conversation and their passion was infectious – we had to be part of this journey. At Gensler, we love a creative problem-solving challenge.

We were hooked by the opportunity to co-create an innovative, replicable solution to one of the most challenging issues facing our cities. From the beginning, we’ve approached each project by blending deep empathy, dignity, and joy with the deep technical expertise to make the vision a reality (on a shoestring).

Gensler’s Tim Annin with DignityMoves’ Jennifer Kiss and Derek Corea at the Cherry Avenue mural painting.

DignityMoves: Designing space for individuals transitioning out of street homelessness requires a unique set of considerations. How do you bring principles of trauma-informed design into the space, from layout and privacy to color, light, and community feel?

TA: People entering a DignityMoves village have lived some of their most private moments in public places. Trauma-informed principles guide our collective design decisions, prioritizing safety, choice, privacy, and hope. A door that locks, clear sightlines, choice and variety in common spaces, a sense of place rooted in the local context, and public art are all essential design elements. We want to create spaces where people feel cared for, calm, dignified, and able to look ahead to a brighter future.

Gensler’s Tim Annin at a beautification volunteer day for the new permanent supportive housing community in Oakland.

DignityMoves: DignityMoves communities are known for being built fast and cost-effectively while providing spaces that feel private, safe, and dignified. How do you balance the need for urgency and intentionality in your design process?

TA: Thankfully, good design doesn’t need to cost more! While each community is unique, they all have the same basic kit of parts for us to work with. The schedule and cost pressures force us to iterate quickly and develop flexible solutions that can shift as each project evolves. We layer in cheerful lighting, color, graphics, murals, furniture, and planters, which create huge impact without costing much money.

DignityMoves: How do the unique parameters of this work—timeline, budget, modular elements—drive innovation in your design approach?

Because we’re designing temporary communities, we’re constantly working to innovate on our approach – spending less money in the ground means we can invest more in the units and public spaces. Our goal is to spend as much as we can on the things the future residents will see, touch, and experience directly.

DignityMoves: Gensler’s involvement with DignityMoves’ communities has extended beyond architecture, like the mural project at Cherry Avenue in San José. What inspired the mural project, and how do creative initiatives like this impact the overall feel of a community?

TA: We’re lucky to have many designers who are eager to use their skills to make the world a better place. From our very first projects with DignityMoves, we brought an integrated team of graphic and interior designers, architects, technologists, and other experts to the table to create thoughtfully designed villages. Public art and beauty are essential to the success of each project by transforming the experience of being on site for everyone who walks in the front gate – beginning our very first communities in San Francisco and downtown Santa Barbara.

The Gensler community jumps at opportunities to give back to the cities where we live and work. Volunteer days, like those spent painting murals and assembling furniture, are important ways for more of our team members to be part of the DignityMoves story, to help address homelessness in our communities, and to contribute to our culture of giving back.

The Cherry Avenue interim supportive housing community in San Jose.

DignityMoves: Developing interim housing communities brings together cities, service providers, builders, and nonprofits. What have you learned from working with a cross-sector team like DignityMoves? And how does that collaboration influence outcomes?

TA: We’re able to deliver better designed communities faster and more cost-effectively with early and ongoing engagement from all stakeholders. Cities, service providers, builders, nonprofits, neighbors, and everyone else involved brings their own unique expertise and perspective – it’s our challenge and opportunity to channel all of that feedback into improving the project. Each interim housing community is unique and often the first of its kind in the cities and counties where we work, which means that successfully engaging all stakeholders throughout the process and taking time to build consensus is critical.

DignityMoves: Why is now a pivotal moment for firms like Gensler to consider getting involved in this work, where design intersects with social impact?

TA: At Gensler, we believe that design is an inherently optimistic act and we can use our unique skills to make the world a better place. Homelessness is growing in many places across the country and we have both the opportunity and moral imperative to be part of the solution. Taking action locally, addressing the challenges facing our cities, and showing what’s possible when we work together has never been more essential.

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The work doesn’t stop here. As demand for innovative solutions like interim supportive housing continues to surge, we’re focused on scaling our efforts with the compassion, flexibility, and urgency this moment requires.

We’re deeply grateful for extraordinary partners like Gensler, whose creativity and commitment help bring these communities to life faster, smarter, and with dignity at the core. Together, we’re proving what’s possible when design and mission align.

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Thank you to Tim Annin for his dedication to this work and for sitting down for this conversation with us. Learn more about Gensler.