Kirsten is a collaborative design leader who elucidates exceptional solutions to projects through a process of consultation and exploration. With over 25 years' experience, she joined the practice in 1997, and has since led some of Grimshaw's most significant cultural, sports and master planning projects such as Arter Contemporary Art Museum →, the Wimbledon 2020 Master Plan → and No 1 Court, the Curragh Racecourse →, and Gilston Park Estate Master Plan →.

Kirsten is also an experienced practice leader: she held the role of Managing Partner of Grimshaw’s London studio from 2018 to 2022 and now as Managing Partner of the Paris studio. Kirsten led the London practice through a period of significant growth as well as a global pandemic and worked to expand the previous project office in Paris into a full studio.

Kirsten’s role at the helm of both studios has seen drives to diversify the design work of the practice, as well as bring about equity in the workplace and industry. In support of this, Kirsten is a trustee of the Grimshaw Foundation, which aims to broaden the accessibility of architectural education to underrepresented groups, and is a founding member of Equilibrium Network, which works to achieve broader gender diversity within the industry.

Kirsten’s work has been acknowledged for its subtle response to place, the pre-eminence of the cultural agenda and its unique expressive and material qualities. She won Best Woman Architect at the 2022 WICE awards, receiving a special commendation as Most Distinguished Winner, and was shortlisted for BD Architectural Leader of the Year in 2020.