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Gensler expert shares trends redefining Arizona real estate

Guest lecturer Oscar De las salas partners with W. P. Carey to guide students in designing resilient, human-centered communities.

Isys Morrow

2025-11-07

As Arizona faces an increased need for creative solutions to challenges such as record-setting heat and booming population growth, a W. P. Carey School of Business guest lecturer is inspiring students to rethink what drives innovation across the Valley.

"Here in the Sonoran Desert, we live in an extraordinary ecosystem. Natural cycles have always defined this landscape, but it's impossible to ignore the longer, hotter summers, sustained heat, and diminishing rainfall," says Oscar De la salas, client relationship manager for the global design firm Gensler's southwest region. "I believe students must learn to read, understand, and respond to the social and economic context of the places they're working in."

De las salas, who also lent his expertise to the fall 2025 W.P. Carey magazine, volunteers as a guest lecturer in the business school's Master of Real Estate Development program because he knows that access to industry mentors is crucial during students' formative professional growth.

"You're still shaping how you see the world, how you understand development, and how your professional values begin to take root," says De las salas. "I want students to understand that development isn't just about numbers: It's about people. Supporting students in this way feels like a full-circle moment for me, and a chance to invest in the kind of thoughtful, grounded leadership our cities truly need."

Gensler's commitment to leveraging innovation, research, and creativity to positively impact the human experience made the organization a natural collaborator for W. P. Carey, and the MRED program has partnered with the architecture giant on a bold new initiative to create a platform for holistic learning in real estate development.

De las salas describes the initiative as going beyond curriculum to reimagine how future leaders will understand the intricate relationship between the business of real estate and the art of design anywhere in the world.

"By drawing on Gensler's global expertise and ASU's academic innovation, we are developing educational tools that challenge conventions and redefine how the industry learns, collaborates, and delivers," says De las salas. "Ultimately, the program envisions a future where every stage of project delivery is guided by creativity, informed by data, and powered by immersive technology, where education and practice merge to shape more connected, intelligent, and human-centered living environments."

W. P. Carey News sat down with De las salas to learn more about how he partners with ASU to educate the next generation of real estate professionals and to explore how thoughtful design can strengthen communities, promote sustainability, and highlight the deeply human elements within the world of development.

Q: How do you address real estate resilience with W. P. Carey students, and what do you find most rewarding about mentoring those at the start of their professional journeys?

A: When I lecture, I make sure my audience — whether students or community members — understands not only the current context and the future of adaptive reuse, mixed-use developments, and urban district enhancement, but also the historical foundation behind them. I often weave in economics, historical anecdotes, policy shifts, and governance changes, framing that helps us uncover a place's DNA and better understand its built environment.

The most rewarding moment is seeing students engage deeply with a topic, which is confirmation that true learning is happening. Early professionals, with their creativity and fresh perspective, often bring powerful solutions to persistent challenges. For this reason, I'm a firm believer in always including an intern or pupil in the room where we make decisions. No matter the industry, it should be part of every legacy-building process.

Q: Why are initiatives like W. P. Carey's MRED, Bachelor of Science in real estate and applied finance, and the Center for Real Estate and Finance so important when it comes to educating the real estate professionals of tomorrow, considering how quickly the field is evolving?

A: The real estate industry has always been evolving, reflecting the communities we build. But today, technology has accelerated that evolution at a velocity we’ve never experienced before. Think about it — in less than three decades, we’ve gone from property listings to AI-powered maps and real-time updates. This rapid pace enables faster, more informed decision-making for community projects.

Q: What do you anticipate resilient real estate development trends looking like in Arizona specifically?

A: Arizona is having a moment. We are rich in the very minerals that fuel the innovation age and are critical for advanced manufacturing, research and development, and the technologies shaping our future. Add to that our sunny, dry climate and strategic geography, and it's no wonder Arizona has become a magnet for innovation-driven industries. From semiconductors to electric vehicles, we're not just participating in the new economy — we're helping lead it. Our real estate assets are in full growth mode, moving at a pace we haven't seen in the modern era.

Locally, the energy is palpable. But that excitement must be matched by a sense of duty. As we continue to build, we need to bring every stakeholder to the table — government, developers, planners, designers, and community voices. We must apply lessons learned from peer regions around the world, while staying true to the unique character and complexities of our desert home. And we do mean deserts, because Arizona spans four: the Sonoran, Mojave, Great Basin, and Chihuahuan, each with ecological, cultural, and planning challenges.

That's why now is the time to think long term and holistically. Resilient development in Arizona means building with an understanding of our extreme climate, limited water resources, and vulnerable ecosystems. It also means designing for equity to ensure the diverse housing options, accessible public amenities with weather conscious solutions and access to the infrastructure that makes neighborhoods thrive.

Q: How do you foresee trends related to resilient development — whether preparing for natural disasters, changing climate, or social and community needs — emerging or changing in the next 10 to 20 years? Why is resilience an essential factor for real estate developers to consider?

A: With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Arizona leads the way on solar innovation, leaving behind the era of bulky panels and limited storage. Today's solar technologies are lightweight, efficient, and cost-effective. We can integrate battery storage, intelligent systems, and scalable solutions into developments of all sizes. It just takes vision — and the will to invest in the future.

Water, too, demands attention. As our cities grow and tech industries expand into the region, we must rethink how we use and conserve this resource. From greywater recycling to water harvesting, xeriscaping, and bioswales, developers need to prioritize low-consumption systems in all projects, whether ground-up builds, adaptive reuse, or conversions. Water-conscious design is no longer a nice-to-have; it's a must.

But resilience isn't just about infrastructure or environmental response — it's also deeply human. Communities test their strength not just during disasters, but in how they coexist and evolve. That's why development must begin with understanding: walking the neighborhoods, engaging with residents, and acknowledging a place's social fabric. Without that awareness, we risk designing projects that fail to serve, or even harm, the very communities they enter.

Ultimately, we should frame every new development idea through the lens of resilience — against climate shifts, infrastructure stress, and social change. Responsible, sustainable design isn't just a line item on the pro forma: it's part of the foundation of future-ready cities.

Q: What key trends other than resilient development are poised to redefine the real estate industry?

A: When we look at the built environment, it's clear that several key trends will redefine the industry in the years ahead. Necessity and opportunity drive these trends, shaped by the evolving needs of society, the economy, and urban development. They include:

• Conversions and adaptive reuse: As cities grow and change, developers are transforming older, underused buildings for new purposes. This shift toward adaptive reuse isn't just about repurposing space — it's about embracing the beauty of the old while meeting the demands of the new. Conversions and adaptive reuse are not only sustainable but also help preserve the character and history of our urban landscapes while modernizing them for current needs.
• Mixed-use developments: This trend is key to building more connected, accessible communities. Mixed-use developments combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to reduce reliance on cars and encourage walkability. The vision of "20-minute cities," where everything you need is within a 20-minute walk, is becoming more of a reality. These developments create vibrant, live-work-play environments that cater to diverse needs and lifestyles.
• Creation of urban districts with a specific identity: The rise of urban districts with distinct identities is another trend gaining momentum. From cultural hubs to tech-centric districts, developers intentionally design these spaces to serve particular communities and industries. Whether it's tech, arts, or sustainability, creating districts with a clear sense of purpose and identity helps build stronger communities and supports targeted economic growth.

In short, the future of real estate lies in adaptability, integration, and identity.

Q: As hybrid work models redefine office demand, how do you anticipate the future of commercial spaces changing?

A: At Gensler, we're not just a global design and architecture firm; We're also a data-driven organization. Through the Gensler Research Institute, we collect and analyze data, conduct research, and forecast trends related to design, work, and the future of cities. This insight directly informs our design decisions and allows us to develop forward-thinking solutions for our clients.

Each year, we publish our Design Forecast, a comprehensive look at emerging trends shaping our built environment. One of the major themes we've seen in recent years is resiliency in commercial spaces, particularly the rise of building conversions.

The continued high vacancy rates in office buildings, paired with housing shortages in many cities, are driving interest in repurposing "stranded assets," buildings with great locations and "good bones" that are no longer viable as traditional office space. These are often Class B and C buildings, older structures with limited natural light, outdated infrastructure, and constrained floor plans.

Interestingly, even amid record-high vacancy rates, demand for high-quality office environments is surging. Companies are leaving behind outdated offices and seeking premium spaces with top-tier amenities and transit access. This seeming paradox reflects a "flight to quality," but more than that, it's a "flight to experience."

Our research shows a clear connection between building quality and employee sentiment. People who work in better buildings feel more pride, are more committed to their companies, and are more likely to stay. People gravitate toward spaces that evoke emotion and connection, where they feel inspired, supported, and motivated to do their best work.

Ultimately, the future of commercial space isn't just about adapting to hybrid work; it's about reimagining the workplace as part of a larger ecosystem of experience, connection, and community.

Learn more about how W. P. Carey is preparing the next generation of real estate professionals.

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