Bio

Sydnor Elkins, AIA, is a San Francisco-based architect and a native of Chapel Hill, NC. She earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture at NC State’s College of Design, and after working in London through an IAESTE internship, she returned to the College of Design to earn a Master of Architecture.

Twenty years in the San Francisco Bay Area later, Sydnor’s career has taken shape across two complementary paths: as an architect and project manager within studio practice, and as a client-side leader at the Eames Institute, where she was Senior Director of Design & Construction.

At the Eames Institute, she led the transformation of spaces into immersive experiences that celebrate the legacy of mid-century designers, Ray and Charles Eames — one built on iteration, curiosity, “the best for the most for the least” and the importance of play.

Before the Eames Institute, Sydnor was an Associate at Kennerly Architecture & Planning, leading complex multi-family housing projects on Treasure Island, single-family residential, and urban design projects in San Francisco. In March, she brought both sides of her experience to Gensler’s San Francisco team.

It all began with the College of Design, then School of Design’s Design Camp that Sydnor attended one summer in high school. That week opened her eyes to what a future with design could look like, and what an extraordinary privilege it would be to spend four years (and another two!) immersed in a multi-disciplinary studio environment.

Motivation to serve of Leader’s Council

I owe so much to the College of Design, and serving on the Leader’s Council is an incredible way to re-connect and give back to this special community. There is a real opportunity at the intersection of design thinking, and a culture of generosity to strengthen the Leaders Council work, and it’s an honor to get to contribute to supporting the College of Design’s mission and impact.