International architecture and design practice Populous has appointed Nikolas Dando-Haenisch as principal and head of aviation for the eastern US.
Based in the firm’s New York office, Dando-Haenisch will lead aviation project design and contribute to business development and client relationships. He will also help guide complex airport projects.
He joins Populous after more than two decades at Grimshaw, with experience spanning airport terminals, railway stations, and other large transport schemes in the US and overseas.
His aviation portfolio includes Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A in New Jersey. The 1 million sq ft building has 33 gates and was designed to accommodate more than 13.4 million passengers a year.
Grimshaw was the design architect for the terminal, working with STV as executive architect. Opened in 2023, the project had a total programme value of $2.7bn and a construction value of $1.4bn.
Other projects in Dando-Haenisch’s portfolio include the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, the Los Angeles World Airports Automated People Mover, and the New York Penn Station expansion. He has also worked on the Washington Union Station Expansion Project and Fulton Street Transit Center in New York City.
Jonathan Mallie, global director and managing director of the Americas at Populous, cited Dando-Haenisch’s experience in airport and transport design.
“Nikolas brings deep expertise in large-scale global airport design that will continue to strengthen our growing aviation practice,” Mallie said. “His experience delivering some of the world’s most complex aviation and transportation projects makes Nikolas an outstanding addition to our firm.”
New York role covers aviation work across the Americas
Dando-Haenisch will work with Tom Theobald, global head of aviation, and Corey Ochsner, head of aviation for the western US, as Populous develops its aviation practice across the Americas.
His role will combine project design with business development and client relationships in the eastern US.
Dando-Haenisch holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Chicago.