Gensler’s Ken Baker Says No to Knockoff Designs

How Be Original Americas Advocates for Authentic Design

Baker’s work in the field spans nearly five decades, after discovering architecture at a career fair in Sunday school. As a kid, he was always creating with toys like Lincoln Logs and Erector Sets, and quickly became fascinated with architecture and design. Though he owns a Victorian home today, his elegant and contemporary designs reflect the needs of each client. “I’ve been designing since 1980, and I joined Gensler in 1996,” he shares. “I’ve been very involved in the whole process of creating workplaces for our clients, especially for large banks, law firms, and corporate headquarters.” That full circle approach led Baker to get involved in product design, finding unique solutions for each project. At Gensler, designers have the opportunity to partner with manufacturers, entering into a business arrangement just like they do on designed projects, to develop the most fitting solution.

Still, budget remains a barrier to specifying original designs, especially when it comes to furniture and finishes. “There’s always this temptation to save some money here and there but, again, we are advocating that specifying copies is not allowed,” says Baker. “You’ve got to go with something that fits in the budget—not by copying something else.”

To further the work of protecting design intellectual property, Baker says firms need to mandate that employees specify from trusted manufacturers, such as those recognized by Be Original Americas, and avoid knockoffs. As for relaying that information to clients, it requires some sensitivity. “It all has to be handled really appropriately. You have to know how to have the right kind of discussion and let the client know why we feel that way,” asserts Baker. “I go back to the idea that we wouldn’t want our designs replicated in the marketplace by somebody else and most businesses and manufacturers feel that way too.” Even if a replicated design looks similar to the original, the performance element cannot compare, he adds.

As an organization, Be Original Americas acts as an advocate for authentic design and also works to actively stop copies from entering the U.S. market. “My involvement with Be Original Americas gives us insight into what we’re all doing,” says Baker “We know there are companies doing great things and we want to work together. I think the mission statement for Be Original Americas is very clear and simple—no knockoffs—and we believe in that.”

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