Grimshaw has further solidified its presence in New Zealand, with the practice officially opening its Auckland studio earlier this month.

Establishing itself as a business in the country in 2017, the practice has been involved in a number of city-shaping projects, including the City Rail Link, designs for Auckland Airport’s domestic and international terminals, the Auckland Drury Stations project and has secured the business case for the Auckland Light Rail project.

Neil Stonell (pictured top, centre) will lead the studio, confirmed as Managing Partner. Formerly in the same role within the practice’s Melbourne office, Stonell has been directly involved in the delivery of a number of Grimshaw’s NZ endeavours.

Stonell has spent the last two decades at Grimshaw, ensuring he is well equipped to take on the challenge of expanding the practice’s influence in Auckland. He will be supported by a senior management team composed of Katarzyna Jurkiewicz (top right) and Malgorzota (Gosha) Haley (top left), both Grimshaw Principals. 20 architects and support staff will work out of the studio.

“Grimshaw is today taking a significant step in the evolution of our robust New Zealand business by committing to a new studio in Auckland,” Stonell says.

grimshaw auckland

“At our new base, we have an energised and thriving team helping deliver our current work in our transport and aviation sectors, simultaneously developing our work in master planning, workplace, residential, adaptive reuse and education.

“We will apply and develop our knowledge, informed by our work in sustainable and regenerative projects, for our clients and forthcoming projects here in New Zealand.”

Mark Middleton, Grimshaw’s Global Managing Partner, says he and the practice are excited by the opportunities presented to the practice via a tangible presence in the region.

“We are delighted to concurrently announce the opening of our Auckland Studio and the leadership of Neil Stonell as Managing Partner,” he says.

“With this development, we can enhance the collaboration of our design teams and support staff, providing an enhanced service to our clients and fully engaging with Grimshaw’s design expertise, sustainability initiatives and knowledge sharing which flows between our studio network.

grimshaw auckland

“Grimshaw is anticipating the expansion of our offer to clients across all sectors of architecture, design and planning in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The Auckland studio will operate with autonomy and independence accorded to its local studio network. The practice looks to establish local work, projects and affiliations across the globe, which has resulted in the creation of standalone studios in the likes of the United States, Australia, the Middle East and now New Zealand.

Grimshaw says it looks forward to developing its business connections with NZ government agencies, developers and collaborators.

Jarrod Reedie

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