We’re excited to spotlight Jonathan Kuzynowski as part of our Focal Point series. Over nearly 12 years with Wold, Jonathan has helped shape projects across the education and government sectors while growing into a leadership role within the firm’s Illinois government practice. His passion for public safety design, relationship-building and thoughtful problem-solving continues to influence communities across the region.
Read on to learn more about Jonathan’s path into architecture, the projects that have shaped his career and how he creates impactful, community-focused environments.
Jonathan’s career journey has been guided by curiosity, initiative and a passion for meaningful design. What began as a childhood interest in architecture and construction evolved into a leadership role helping grow Wold’s government and public safety work across Illinois.
One of the things Jonathan values most about Wold is the opportunity to grow beyond a traditional role. Early in his career, he knew he wanted to become more client-facing and build stronger relationships with the communities Wold serves. That ambition led him toward leadership within the firm’s government practice, where he now guides projects involving police stations, fire stations and emergency communications facilities as well different municipal building types.
“I’ve always appreciated that if you show initiative at Wold, there’s an opportunity to grow in whatever direction you want to,” Jonathan said. “That’s allowed me to become a more well-rounded professional and develop stronger relationships over time, which has always resulted in exceptional work and spaces that better serve their communities.”
Jonathan is just as intentional about fostering relationships within his team as he is with clients. He is passionate about mentorship and team development, especially creating opportunities for younger staff members to take ownership of projects and contribute their ideas throughout the design process. He commented, “Seeing that excitement and pride in the work is incredibly rewarding. You want people to feel ownership in what they’re creating.”
Working across both educational and government projects has also reinforced the importance of collaboration across Wold’s offices and disciplines. Jonathan believes every project offers lessons that can inform future work, and he values the ability to lean on expertise from colleagues across the firm when tackling new challenges.
That collaborative mindset extends beyond internal teams to the client relationships that continue long after a project is complete. For Jonathan, one of the clearest indicators of success is when clients return with new ideas and future opportunities.
“When clients call you out of the blue because they trust you as a partner, that’s one of the best measures of success.”
One project that stands out in Jonathan’s career is the Lake County Regional Operations and Communications Facility, a state-of-the-art emergency operations center designed to support critical public safety functions while advancing ambitious sustainability goals. The facility achieved LEED certification and net-zero performance standards, aligning closely with Jonathan’s long-standing interest in sustainable architecture.
“Sustainability was a major focus during my education, so getting the opportunity to work on a project that fully embraced those goals was incredibly rewarding,” he said. “It combined public safety, advanced technology and sustainability all in one project, and I appreciated the challenge it presented to deliver each of those elements to the highest possible standard.”
Beyond the technical complexity of the work, Jonathan says the project reinforced the value of strong client relationships and collaborative problem-solving throughout the design process. That balance between creativity and practicality continues to shape how he approaches every project. Whether navigating budget constraints or solving operational challenges, Jonathan enjoys bringing design solutions that elevate the end result without losing sight of his clients’ priorities.
“I hope clients and teammates see the passion I bring to work,” he added. “I genuinely enjoy the challenge of finding creative ways to make a project exceptional while still being mindful of budgets and practical constraints.”
Jonathan’s interest in the field started early. Growing up around construction through his father’s work, he developed an interest in buildings, job sites and the process of creating spaces. Like many architects, he also credits a childhood love of Legos as an early influence. Family trips into downtown Chicago ultimately solidified that passion.
“There was always something inspiring about the skyline and the feeling of being surrounded by architecture at that scale,” Jonathan said. “I remember wanting to be part of creating spaces that leave a lasting impact on communities.”
Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially outdoors. During the winter, you’ll find him on snowboarding trips to Colorado with his family, and the spring-to-autumn season means he’s locked in on the Formula 1 and GT racing circuits. Jonathan has a longtime passion for cars and motorsports, and if he weren’t in architecture, he says there’s a good chance he’d want to pursue life as a professional racecar driver – preferably behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 Cup Racecar.
As Wold’s government practice continues to grow, Jonathan remains focused on strengthening relationships, mentoring the next generation of designers and creating spaces that positively impact the communities they serve. His advice to younger professionals is simple: Never turn down an opportunity.
“Some of the most valuable experiences in my career came from stepping outside my comfort zone,” he said. “Those experiences ultimately shaped my career in ways I never expected.”
To learn more about Jonathan, his experience and insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members who bring our work to life.
