Meet Irene
Irene Crowo Nielsen is a landscape architect and urbanist. Over the course of many years, she’s contributed to the design of Bergen, her hometown, on the breathtaking western fjords of Norway.
Contact
Senior Lead Design Landscape Architect and Urbanist
What do you enjoy most about working at Henning Larsen?
I joined Henning Larsen because I wanted to be part of a studio where landscape is seen as a powerful driver of change not just an addition to a project, but a way of shaping how cities function and how people experience them.
“I was drawn to the strong design culture, the interdisciplinary global collaboration, and the shared ambition to create places that are beautiful, resilient, and connected to nature.”
What makes Henning Larsen a special place to work?
What has impressed me most since joining is the collaborative culture and the global perspective. Even though we're spread across different countries and studios, there is a strong culture of sharing knowledge, ideas, and expertise. The opportunity to work alongside colleagues from around the world and draw on insights from different contexts is incredibly inspiring. It means that every project benefits from a much broader pool of experience and creativity than you would typically find in a single office.
What motivates you in your work?
What motivates me most is the impact landscapes can have on people's lives. Access to nature, water, trees, and well-designed public spaces contributes to healthier, happier, and more connected communities. I find it incredibly rewarding to shape places where people can meet friends, take a walk, play with their children, recharge, or simply enjoy a moment outdoors.
"Knowing that our work can have a lasting positive effect on both people and the environment is what inspires me every day."
Which projects are you particularly proud of?
One project that is especially meaningful to me is Griegkvartalet in Bergen. Beyond the project's ambition and complexity, it has a personal significance because Bergen is my hometown. Contributing to the transformation of such an important part of the city and helping shape future public spaces in a place that means a lot to me has been particularly rewarding. More broadly, I am proud of projects that bring together landscape, urban life, biodiversity, and long-term resilience into a shared vision for the future.
What excites you about the future?
I'm excited by the growing recognition that nature is not just something we add to cities, it's essential infrastructure. As we face climate challenges and changing ways of living, landscape architects have an important role in creating healthier, more resilient, and more biodiverse places. I'm optimistic about a future where cities are designed more like ecosystems, with nature, water, and people working together to create better everyday experiences and stronger communities.
1970
