Julia Mingorance

Julia Mingorance develops her career in AECOM, Madrid, where she works as a Workplace Consultant and Project Manager and contributes to transforming the workplace of companies such as Accenture, Pfizer, Citibank, and Shell. Her practice is based on research, strategy, design and project management.

What she enjoys the most about her work is that she is constantly learning.  The ever-changing nature of companies makes organizations face different challenges that she, as a designer, needs to translate into design solutions to solve problems creatively and anticipate future trends and needs.

“I like to see the results of my work! After working together in a multidisciplinary team with the client, I see how their workplace is more flexible and ready for the future. The employees are happier and their performance and processes improve. It is very satisfying!”

One of the main projects that Julia has worked on as a Project Manager is a new Centre for an important technology company in Bilbao (+2.500 m2). This Centre allows companies from the Basque Country to make the most of digital technologies to transform core industrial operations. “As designers, we had a big responsibility! To design a whole experience for such a big center that will host employees, collaborators and international clients.”

One of the key features was the complex triangular-shaped floorplan of the building, that made the design and construction process very challenging during the project. The absence of natural light in some areas of the building and the tight deadline were also part of the challenge, as the whole construction phase was developed in less than two months.

For Julia, the ownership of the projects and the passion she feels for her job are as important as having the perfect skills. The most successful projects she’s been involved in, are the ones that she felt involved in from the beginning.

“I used to be very frustrated when something was not perfect at work but projects and clients are not perfect. I have learned to embrace constant change and limitations, always enjoying the process of learning!”

One of the biggest challenges that Julia has in her everyday life at work is being responsible for reshaping the future office environment in a constantly changing world: “we have the responsibility to provide meaningful, creative and future-proof workplace solutions that can be easily adapted to the company’s and people’s needs.”

“The Master in Strategic Design of Spaces was the key to work at AECOM.” While Julia was studying the Master, she had the opportunity to meet a lot of professionals from international companies that provided her with an important and strong network for developing her career.

“Moreover, the innovative approach and the focus on user experience design made me think differently and more creatively when solving problems.”