Arup celebrates 40 years of innovation and impact across the Americas

The evening brought together clients, collaborators, and industry leaders to toast to Arup’s enduring impact in the Americas, and a special focus on their contributions in the Bay Area. Since opening its doors in San Francisco in 1985, Arup has expanded from a single office to a network of more than 2,000 professionals across 18 locations in the Americas. 

“For 40 years, Arup has shaped what’s possible in the Bay Area – from reimagining cultural icons to creating infrastructure that endures,” said Alex Lofting, Principal and West Leader for Arup Americas. “San Francisco is where it all started and where we’re proud of the impact we’ve had. Whether it’s the Academy of Sciences, UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital at Parnassus Heights, or transformative infrastructure like Presidio Parkway, every project is an opportunity to make the built environment more human, more resilient, and more inspiring.” 

The firm has played a central role in the evolution of some of the region’s most celebrated and forward-thinking spaces, including the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, and the Salesforce Transit Center, as well as partnering with leading healthcare institutions and civic organizations to create adaptable, high-performing environments that reflect the Bay Area’s spirit of innovation. Arup’s influence also extends into the technology sector, where the firm has been an early partner to leading global technology companies headquartered in the Bay Area, designing and engineering their campuses while guiding them in their global expansions.

Notable projects that the firm has contributed to across the Bay Area include: 

• 181 Fremont
• UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital at Parnassus Heights
• The San Francisco Bay Trail Risk Assessment and Adaptation Prioritization Plan 
• Presidio Parkway 
• SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Boarding Area B 
• Transportation Authority of Marin Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning 
• Silicon Valley Clean Water Gravity Pipeline 

Beyond its design and engineering achievements with large-scale projects, Arup’s legacy is equally defined by its commitment to community engagement. The firm has long championed pro bono and nonprofit collaborations, including with Designing Justice + Designing Spaces and Leap Arts in Education. 

“As a Bay Area native, I’m proud of the impact we’ve had locally through our impactful multidisciplinary work on critical infrastructure and resilience projects. Our teams are deeply invested in supporting the community, not just through large projects, but also through ongoing nonprofit and pro bono initiatives,” said Janice Mochizuki, Arup’s San Francisco Office Leader.