Karres en Brands is proud to announce the appointment of Natalia Gruszczynska as Associate. This marks an important step in the continued evolution of our office, reflecting both our expanding scope and our ongoing commitment to shaping public space at every scale.

Since our founding in 1997, Karres en Brands has been dedicated to the design of the public domain—creating spaces that enrich everyday life, from small urban plazas and streets to city parks, large-scale landscapes, and comprehensive urban plans. Over the years, our practice has evolved to embrace urban planning and architecture alongside our strong foundation in landscape design, allowing us to create integrated and cohesive environments.

At the heart of our work lies a belief in the power of natural processes to inform and inspire design. We strive to transform today’s innovations into tomorrow’s norms—rethinking cities, public spaces, landscapes, and buildings in ways that challenge conventions and strengthen the relationship between people and the environment.

Natalia Gruszczynska has been instrumental in shaping this vision. Trained as an architect and urban planner in Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, Natalia joined Karres en Brands in 2018 after several years of working in Copenhagen. Her design philosophy is rooted in the belief that architecture should enhance the experience of nature—seeking harmony between the built and natural environments.

Her approach is evident in numerous award-winning projects she has contributed to, including the Logging Museum in Fetsund (NO)—a bold museum proposal inspired by local cultural history; the Kazernekwartier Crailo tender, where the boundaries between inside and outside blur to heighten the experience of living within the forest; and the Woodhood Masterplan in Cologne (DE), where the landscape forms the foundation of the urban structure. Most recently, Natalia led the winning design for Gartenstadt Hamburg, where buildings and outdoor spaces are seamlessly interwoven—creating an architecture in constant dialogue with nature.

As an Associate, Natalia will contribute to the strategic direction of the office as we continue to explore the intersections of landscape, urbanism, and architecture. She will also continue her role as Architect and Senior Project Leader.