5 minutes with Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson

Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson is an architect and urban designer with over 30 years’ experience. At Foster + Partners, she has worked on major transportation projects, masterplans, and large-scale developments, including 30 St Mary Axe in London, the Hearst Headquarters in New York, Tocumen International Airport in Panama, and Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Ongoing projects include CPK Airport, a 21^st century transport interchange that will act as a symbolic gateway to Poland; the Ellinikon Masterplan, which seeks to create a new vision for the future of Mediterranean coastal developments in Greece; and the practice’s Marseille Provence Airport extension, which rationalises passenger flows within a single building and is due to open later this summer.

Antoinette, who recently won ‘Best Woman Architect’ at the European Women in Construction and Engineering (WICE) Awards, tells us about designing a sustainable masterplan on the Athenian coastline, some of her favourite buildings to visit around the world, and a renowned Team 4 project in her neighbourhood.  

Earliest memory at Foster + Partners

After graduating from Sydney University in 1989, I was lucky enough to work as an architect in Sydney, Athens, Paris, and London.

Nearly a decade later, I joined Foster + Partners. The practice immediately felt like home, with its incredible mixture of people from different backgrounds and cultures. I remember being struck by the open communication, across all levels, and the willingness to provide opportunities for professional development.

From the beginning, I was encouraged to work on new project typologies and apply skills I’d learnt elsewhere. This approach opens doors for newer graduates, sparks creativity, and drives innovation at the practice.

A standout project

Every project is special for different reasons.

I have a personal connection with the Ellinikon Masterplan, as it evokes memories of my childhood in Greece. Our design transforms a brownfield site into a series of walkable communities around a new public park, which will bring a wealth of benefits to Athenians.

Spaceport America allowed us to explore a completely new typology in the most astonishing desert landscape. We drove the passive design through form and orientation, while using resources such as excavated earth for the building fabric. It was extraordinary working with the Virgin Galactic team and meeting astronauts to learn from their experiences.

A particular highlight was being introduced to Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the Moon after Neil Armstrong.

A mentor

David Nelson [Senior Executive Partner] and Grant Brooker [Head of Studio] have both had an immensely positive impact on my career.

Despite my background in urban design, David encouraged me to lead the ‘Workplace and Interiors’ team when I first joined the practice. We worked closely together on the fitouts for several major office projects, including 30 St Mary Axe in London.

Over the past twenty years, Grant has entrusted me to work on some of the practice’s large-scale infrastructure projects, including Tocumen International Airport in Panama, CPK Airport in Poland, and the Midtown Bus Terminal in Manhattan.

I am so grateful for their enduring support.

A city we should learn from

This could be a thesis topic!

We can learn from any city where health and wellbeing are a priority. A city should provide supportive infrastructure and access to healthcare, education, culture, efficient public transport, and green public spaces.

Vienna and Copenhagen are both good examples.

A hidden gem in your neighbourhood

I live within walking distance of Team 4’s Murray Mews project in north London. The street is like a small village community. At one time there were about twenty architects living on the Mews – many designed and built their own homes. People meet up once a month at the local pub and often help each other out.

Your favourite building to visit?

Most of my favourite buildings have a strong relationship with the landscape – the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Le Corbusier’s La Tourette, and the Salk Institute in California.

A recent source of inspiration

I’m currently reading ‘Sixty Harvests Left’ by Philip Lymbery, which takes its title from a frightening warning made by the United Nations that the world’s soils could be gone within a lifetime.

The book offers hope through regenerative farming systems, which can save wildlife, stabilise the climate and safeguard the planet for future generations.

Where will you be this weekend?

Venice for the Biennale with my husband and daughter, who is a fine art student, and some artist friends from Australia. We’re looking forward to seeing our friend John Akomfrah’s installations at the British pavilion.