Grimshaw has appointed Katarzyna Jurkiewicz as partner, bringing the Sydney-based transport sector leader into a global cohort of 14 partners who underpin the practice's strategic direction and continued evolution.

Jurkiewicz brings more than 20 years of experience spanning multiple sectors and project typologies, with recognised expertise in complex transport infrastructure. She joined Grimshaw's London studio in 2007, relocated to Sydney in 2011 and was elevated to principal in 2022. Her appointment to partner recognises significant contributions to business development, strategic client relationships and the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, alongside demonstrated industry leadership and mentorship within the studio.

Projects and global studios

Her portfolio spans some of the most significant transport commissions in Australia and the United Kingdom: the Elizabeth Line in London, Sydney Light Rail, Martin Place Metro, City of Sydney Street Furniture and the Hunter Street Integrated Station Development. From 2024, Jurkiewicz co-led Grimshaw's Auckland studio for 18 months, spearheading design work on Auckland Light Rail while helping to elevate the practice's New Zealand presence.

"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."

Over her career, Jurkiewicz has worked across Grimshaw's London, Sydney and Auckland studios, building a cross-studio perspective on the challenges facing the infrastructure sector globally. "I really enjoy the cross-studio collaboration," she says. "I'm on the global metro group and the global industrial design group; I like to bring the studios together. It's a great privilege to be able to tap into these global resources, and I think it's something we could be doing even more."

Sustainability and industry roles

As partner, Jurkiewicz will continue embedding environmentally and socially sustainable outcomes within designs, integrating decarbonisation, regenerative design and circularity processes into large-scale projects. She previously served on Circular Australia's Precincts and 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 on state-significant developments.

A champion of diversity, equity and inclusion both within the organisation and across the industry, Jurkiewicz says she hopes her elevation will help illuminate a pathway for 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,'" she says. "I just really hope that this elevation is something that's going to inspire others that they can do the same."

Design craft

Jurkiewicz's attachment to the craftsmanship of architecture was shaped during her time working on the cladding design for the Elizabeth Line in London, a project that went on to receive the RIBA Stirling Prize. "I am incredibly passionate about the craftsmanship of architecture and an attention to the detailing of things," she says. "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 Stirling Prize, that was incredibly rewarding."

Jurkiewicz cited an ambition to champion the creative dimensions of the discipline alongside commercial growth. "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."

Global Managing Partner Mark Middleton welcomed the appointment. "Kat's design leadership and recognised experience managing complex stakeholders have had significant impact on the organisation," says Middleton. "She has been an asset to Grimshaw over the past 20 years, and we look forward to her future contributions to organisational culture and a future legacy of design excellence."

Jurkiewicz joins 14 existing partners across Grimshaw's international network, where she will drive growth and design excellence across the Asia Pacific region. The practice employs more than 600 staff across studios in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Dubai, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland.

Image: Supplied

Architecture & Design Team

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