Grimshaw has announced the appointment of Katarzyna Jurkiewicz as Partner, recognising her outstanding contributions to the practice and her leadership in designing and delivering complex, city-shaping projects.
As Partner, Jurkiewicz joins a global cohort of fourteen experienced leaders underpinning the practice’s strategic direction and continued evolution.
With over 20 years’ experience, Jurkiewicz is a highly competent design leader with a diverse portfolio spanning multiple sectors and project typologies. With special expertise in complex transport infrastructure, Jurkiewicz has played a key role in shaping Grimshaw’s rail and infrastructure portfolio, embedding transport projects with strategies for resilience and sustainability.
Joining Grimshaw’s London studio in 2007, Jurkiewicz relocated to Sydney in 2011, where she was made Principal in 2022. A recognised sector leader in metro and rail infrastructure, her significant projects include London's Crossrail Elizabeth Line↗, Sydney Light Rail↗, Martin Place Metro↗, City of Sydney Street Furniture↗, Hunter Street Integrated Station Development.
Over her career at Grimshaw, Jurkiewicz has worked out of the global practice’s studios in London, Sydney, and Auckland. Her inter-studio experience arms her with a unique global perspective and equips her to understand the matrix of challenges facing the industry.
“Working in London and having the ability to work with Nick [Grimshaw] was such a privilege and an opportunity to learn the essence of who we are as a practice: what we do and how we think about design,” Jurkiewicz says.
“It’s an incredible privilege and responsibility to be appointed a partner at Grimshaw. The practice is not only delivering some of Australia’s most important transport infrastructure and city-shaping projects, but also driving the imperative for resilient, socially and environmentally sustainable cities.”
Katarzyna Jurkiewicz, Partner, Grimshaw
From 2022, Jurkiewicz co-led the Auckland studio for 18 months, where she was instrumental in elevating Grimshaw’s local New Zealand presence while spearheading the design for Auckland Light Rail.
“Leading the Auckland studio was a valuable opportunity to develop my understanding of practice management in a challenging market,” says Jurkiewicz. “I learnt the importance of understanding local priorities and positioning Grimshaw’s expertise in a way that resonated with local clients and demonstrated the value we could bring”.
Serving a critical role in Grimshaw’s regional sustainability leadership, Jurkiewicz embeds environmentally and socially sustainable outcomes within designs, integrating processes for decarbonisation, regenerative design, and circularity in large-scale projects. Jurkiewicz previously served on the Circular Australia’s Precincts & Infrastructure Taskforce, supporting the transition to a net-zero economy, and is currently a member of the New South Wales State Design Review Panel, providing independent expert evaluation and practical advice on state significant developments.
A champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, both within the organisation and in the broader industry, Jurkiewicz says she hopes her elevation will help to illuminate a pathway for other future female leaders.
“It’s important to have someone in the studio for people to look to and say: ‘she’s done that – she’s been able to achieve this while running amazing projects and having two kids.’ I just really hope that this elevation is something that’s going to inspire others that they can do the same.”
“Katarzyna embodies the integrated design thinking that has always been central to Grimshaw. Her ability to connect architecture, infrastructure, urban design and industrial design, while embracing circularity and regenerative principles, reflects our ambition to create places that deliver lasting value for people and the planet.”
Andrew Whalley OBE, Chairman, Grimshaw
While much of her portfolio contains large-scale infrastructure, Jurkiewicz equally is equally adept in industrial design, dedicated to driving excellence in detail.
“I am incredibly passionate about the craftsmanship of architecture and an attention to the detailing of things,” she says. “While in London, I worked on the design for the cladding for the Elizabeth Line. It was beautiful to see some of the early sketches I did for the cladding system actually built – and then, for the project to receive the [RIBA] Stirling Prize↗, that was incredibly rewarding.” Jurkiewicz adds she hopes her influence will be to instil a culture of enthusiasm and delight within the studio.
“As well as project origination and revenue generation, I hope to champion the joy and creativity of architecture,” she says. “We can’t lose sight of the fact we are doing some amazing work, and the design is a core focus of what we do. “I think we have a real opportunity to draw on our legacy and consider what that looks like for the future.”
Katarzyna's appointment comes at a time of growth for Grimshaw's Australian practice; from the recently opened Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre to current work in transport and aviation, the Australian teams are delivering a broad range of projects. Katarzyna will work alongside her fellow Partners in Australia and New Zealand to build on this work and develop opportunities across the wider Asia Pacific region.
“Katarzyna’s appointment reflects the strength and recent growth of our Australian practice, particularly in Queensland, the ACT, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. She will support our work nationally, with a focus on infrastructure, including metro and light rail projects. She is a highly respected design leader who will carry Grimshaw’s design vision forward with ambition and integrity.”
Mark Middleton, Global Managing Partner, Grimshaw
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