On my table right now...
Working on my master’s thesis on the topic of public toilet provision in Tallinn, through a lens of spatial justice and systems thinking.
I’m also organising a summer school on systems and futures thinking in Kuldiga, Latvia, this June.
Working on my master’s thesis on the topic of public toilet provision in Tallinn, through a lens of spatial justice and systems thinking.
I’m also organising a summer school on systems and futures thinking in Kuldiga, Latvia, this June.
In the meantime, I'm seeking opportunities in strategic and systemic design.
2025
✺ Service Design Strategies
and Innovations
Latvia, Estonia, Finland | 09.2023 -
Erasmus Mundus master degree programme
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and Innovations
Latvia, Estonia, Finland | 09.2023 -
Erasmus Mundus master degree programme
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✺ move to Rovaniemi, Finland. Start of the fourth semester at the University of Lapland
2024
project: toilet
Tallinn-Rovaniemi | 10.2024 -
Master thesis research regarding public toilet provision in Tallinn
Tallinn-Rovaniemi | 10.2024 -
Master thesis research regarding public toilet provision in Tallinn
Housin Lab Tallinn
Tallinn | 09-12.2024
Project tackling Tallinn’s housing affordability crisis by creating a platform bringing residents, city and experts together to co-create alternative housing solutions meant for living, not for profit.
EKA Design Showcase 2025 Award for the most socially-minded project
Tallinn | 09-12.2024
Project tackling Tallinn’s housing affordability crisis by creating a platform bringing residents, city and experts together to co-create alternative housing solutions meant for living, not for profit.
EKA Design Showcase 2025 Award for the most socially-minded project
✺ Navigating Complexity with Systems Thinking
Kuldiga, Latvia | 10.2024
Co-designed and facilitated a 2-day course on systems thinking for first-year master students
Kuldiga, Latvia | 10.2024
Co-designed and facilitated a 2-day course on systems thinking for first-year master students
Culture game
Narva | 08.2024
Project developed during the Service Design Summer School in Narva, focusing on cultural transformations and addressing barriers between the Russian- and Estonian-speaking communities.
Narva | 08.2024
Project developed during the Service Design Summer School in Narva, focusing on cultural transformations and addressing barriers between the Russian- and Estonian-speaking communities.
✺ move to Tallinn, Estonia. Start of the third semester at EKA (Estonian Academy of Arts)
✺ Planning the Cycling City
Amsterdam | 07.2024
2-week summer school organised by the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, together with Urban Cycling Institute
Amsterdam | 07.2024
2-week summer school organised by the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, together with Urban Cycling Institute
Smarto
Kuldiga, Latvia and online | 01-06.2024
Finalist of Student Service Design Challenge 2024
Design of an educational kit helping to track and control energy consumption at home.
Kuldiga, Latvia and online | 01-06.2024
Finalist of Student Service Design Challenge 2024
Design of an educational kit helping to track and control energy consumption at home.
✺ SDN Young Talent Board
remote | 11.2023- 04.2024
Volunteer - Partners Team Lead for Next Gen Conference 2024
remote | 11.2023- 04.2024
Volunteer - Partners Team Lead for Next Gen Conference 2024
✺ Kuldiga Service Design Jam
Kuldiga, Latvia | 03.2024
Main organiser and facilitator of a 48-hour workshop - part of the Global Service Jam initiative
Kuldiga, Latvia | 03.2024
Main organiser and facilitator of a 48-hour workshop - part of the Global Service Jam initiative
2023
RIXPLORE
Kuldiga, Latvia | 09 - 12.2023
Enhancing the customer experience in waiting areas at Riga International Airport (RIX) through the design of an exploration trail
Kuldiga, Latvia | 09 - 12.2023
Enhancing the customer experience in waiting areas at Riga International Airport (RIX) through the design of an exploration trail
✺ Service Design Global Conference
Berlin, DE | 10.2023
On-site volunteer
Berlin, DE | 10.2023
On-site volunteer
✺ move to Kuldiga, Latvia, the start of the SDSI Erasmus Mundus programme
✺ Dream Machine
Leipzig, DE (remote). 01.2022 - 12.2023
UX Designer working for an early-stage tech start up
Leipzig, DE (remote). 01.2022 - 12.2023
UX Designer working for an early-stage tech start up
✺ MetaGrey
Berlin, DE | 04.2020 - 07.2023
Architect. Concept, technical, interior design. Office & residential projects
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Berlin, DE | 04.2020 - 07.2023
Architect. Concept, technical, interior design. Office & residential projects
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2022
✺ Service Design Jam Berlin
Berlin, DE | 10.2022
Design workshop focused on user-centred approaches and analogue methods
Berlin, DE | 10.2022
Design workshop focused on user-centred approaches and analogue methods
Goodo
Berlin, DE | 06-06.2022
UX and UI design of a mobile app that helps people easily discover charity projects that resonate with them, make donations, and follow their progress.
Berlin, DE | 06-06.2022
UX and UI design of a mobile app that helps people easily discover charity projects that resonate with them, make donations, and follow their progress.
✺ AllWomen Academy
online, 05 - 07.2022
UX/UI Design Bootcamp
online, 05 - 07.2022
UX/UI Design Bootcamp
Ullsteinhaus
Berlin, DE | 04.2020 - 08.2023
Concept, interior, and technical design for multiple interior fit-out projects in a historical building—an old printing house—in Berlin.
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Berlin, DE | 04.2020 - 08.2023
Concept, interior, and technical design for multiple interior fit-out projects in a historical building—an old printing house—in Berlin.
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2021
Kiez
Berlin, DE | 02-03.2021
Design of a communication platform that makes it easy for neighbours in a 'Kiez' (neighbourhood) to connect and exchange information, facilitating the building of bonds through shared experiences
Berlin, DE | 02-03.2021
Design of a communication platform that makes it easy for neighbours in a 'Kiez' (neighbourhood) to connect and exchange information, facilitating the building of bonds through shared experiences
✺ University of the Arts London
online, 02-03.2021
Service Design short course
online, 02-03.2021
Service Design short course
✺ Hyphen
Berlin, DE | 11.2019 - 03.2020
Architect. Technical design, project and contract management for retail interior fit-out projects. Project lead
Berlin, DE | 11.2019 - 03.2020
Architect. Technical design, project and contract management for retail interior fit-out projects. Project lead
✺ move to Berlin
2019
✺ Hyphen
London, UK | 05.2017 - 11.2019
Architect. Technical design, project and contract management for retail interior fit-out projects. Project lead
London, UK | 05.2017 - 11.2019
Architect. Technical design, project and contract management for retail interior fit-out projects. Project lead
Sports retailer offices
London / Paris | 01 - 11.2019
Flagship store on Champs Elysee with offices on top floors. Technical design, design coordination
London / Paris | 01 - 11.2019
Flagship store on Champs Elysee with offices on top floors. Technical design, design coordination
✺ The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL
London, UK | 01.2017 - 12.2018
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice and Management in Architecture – ARB/RIBA Part 3 (architect professional registration)
London, UK | 01.2017 - 12.2018
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice and Management in Architecture – ARB/RIBA Part 3 (architect professional registration)
2017
Kemble Road
London, UK. | 11.2016 - 05.2017
Project of a house extension.
Concept, permit, technical design, tender & contract.
On the picture: design team meeting on site
London, UK. | 11.2016 - 05.2017
Project of a house extension.
Concept, permit, technical design, tender & contract.
On the picture: design team meeting on site
✺ Y.A.D Studio
London, UK | 10.2016 - 05.2017
Architect
London, UK | 10.2016 - 05.2017
Architect
✺ Sanford
London, UK | 02 - 10.2016
Architect
London, UK | 02 - 10.2016
Architect
2016
✺ move to London
Revitalisation of Refshaleøen Island
Kraków, PL | 02.2014 - 09.2015
Master thesis project. Project of revitalisation of an old shipyard area in Copenhagen.
Kraków, PL | 02.2014 - 09.2015
Master thesis project. Project of revitalisation of an old shipyard area in Copenhagen.
✺ Politechnika Krakowska
Kraków, PL | 02.2013 - 09.2015
Master of Science in Architecture
Kraków, PL | 02.2013 - 09.2015
Master of Science in Architecture
✺ IG Concept
Kraków, PL | 10.2014 - 02.2015
Interior Designer
Kraków, PL | 10.2014 - 02.2015
Interior Designer
Green Lake
Kraków, PL | 05.2014
Competition project for th Wuhan Garden Expo, awarded Honourable Mention. Various landscapes and ecosystems of Europe represented in a green pond
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Kraków, PL | 05.2014
Competition project for th Wuhan Garden Expo, awarded Honourable Mention. Various landscapes and ecosystems of Europe represented in a green pond
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✺ BudCud
Kraków, PL | 04 - 06.2014
Architerctural intern
Kraków, PL | 04 - 06.2014
Architerctural intern
To Care, To Cure, To Educate
Copenhagen, DK | 01 - 02.2014
Honourable Mention in the Moved to Care - Building Trust International design competition. The proposal combines traditional knowledge with modern, locally sourced materials to create a functional and recognisable design for a movable clinic
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Copenhagen, DK | 01 - 02.2014
Honourable Mention in the Moved to Care - Building Trust International design competition. The proposal combines traditional knowledge with modern, locally sourced materials to create a functional and recognisable design for a movable clinic
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✺ MAP Architects
Copenhagen, DK | 08.2013 - 02.2014
Architectural intern
Copenhagen, DK | 08.2013 - 02.2014
Architectural intern
✺ move to Copenhagen, Denmark
10 000 km, 18 states, 27 days
USA | 05 - 06.2012
Bought a car with friends and set off on a road trip from Tennessee to California, documenting the journey along the way.
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USA | 05 - 06.2012
Bought a car with friends and set off on a road trip from Tennessee to California, documenting the journey along the way.
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✺ University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN | 01 - 05.2012
Architecture. Semester abroad
Knoxville, TN | 01 - 05.2012
Architecture. Semester abroad
✺ move to Knoxville, Tennessee
✺ Politechnika Krakowska
Kraków, PL | 10.2009 - 02.2013
Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Urban Design
Kraków, PL | 10.2009 - 02.2013
Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Urban Design
✺ move to Kraków.
contact ◌ ja.agata.kowalska@gmail.com ◌ currently in Rovaniemi, Finland ✺ full cv&portfolio available on request