James Finestone, Arup Architecture Director for the Europe Region Leader is responsible for organisational strategy, business planning, and design quality.  Based in Milan since 2013, he has developed multidisciplinary design teams across Arup’s European offices.  These groups focus on low energy sustainable design for science, industry and technology, infrastructure, transport, commercial and sport sectors. James leads digital innovation in architecture bringing artificial intelligence and machine learning to the design process and the built environment.

Recent Projects include the headquarters for Chiesi pharmaceutical, Italy, a master plan for Pfizer, Ireland, the new flagship store for Huawei in Shanghai, a new ecological water treatment facility for Shanghai, the electric drive train manufacturing facility for JLR in the UK and infrastructure projects such as High Speed 2 in the UK and bridges in Xian China and Roskilde Fjord, Denmark.

James studied Architecture and Engineering at Bath University prior to joining Richard Rogers Partnership in London in 1990 where over 15 years he was responsible for projects at Heathrow including Terminal 5, Mossbourne Academy, technology buildings such as the Broadcasting building for SBS in Seoul and substantial international masterplanning.  As a founding director of FLACQ Architects in 2005, he took a central role in urban design, commercial, transport and education projects. He has spoken and lectured globally including Bath University, University College London, IUAV Venice and the Norwegian Association of Architects, Oslo.

Victor de Leeuw has been one of the four senior partners at EGM Architects since 2003. As chair of the partners’ meeting, he helps to generate ideas about the future of the office. In addition, he is jointly responsible for the international business development focussed on Hospital Design and Planning.

His broad experience working at all scales enables him to supervise processes in an inspiring manner and allow teams to achieve results without playing a dominant leadership role.

Decisive motivational factors for him are social sustainability and value of the finished work for end users.

“Architecture and urban design allow me to contribute to a healthy living environment that not only inspires and challenges people, but also enhances their wellbeing.”

Chair of Europe Regional Network at World Green Building Council.

Graduate of the International Relations faculty at Warsaw University and Executive MBA at Coventry University.

Alicja has over 15 years of business-related experience: she has been responsible for high-value international projects, dealing with suppliers and customers from different continents. Prior to joining Polish Green Building Council, she worked as a trade director in Fortress S.A. company and was a project manager in Erican Group in Malaysia.

Sustainability was always in the field of her interest. She was a leader of a translation project of Jonathan T. Scott’s book The Sustainable Business.

As the CEO of Polish Green Building Council, Alicja promotes the business case of green building and is especially interested in two areas: circular buildings and how buildings influence health, wellbeing and productivity of their occupants.

Author of numerous reports and publications on green building and speaker at various conferences and events organized in Poland and abroad.

In private life a happy mum, keen on travelling (has visited 79 out of 196 yet-to see countries), adores a healthy and eco lifestyle.

Tobias Wallisser is partner of LAVA – Laboratory for Visionary Architecture which he co-founded in 2007 with Chris Bosse and Alexander Rieck. Since 2012, he is responsible for LAVA’s operations in Berlin. The office in Berlin currently works on projects in Germany, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, amongst them the German Pavilion for the 2020 EXPO in Dubai, innovative office buildings in Germany and a city of the future in the Middle East.

His focus is a creative re-interpretation of the briefing and the application of digital tools in to deliver innovative structures with a focus on energy efficiency and user comfort.

From 1997 to 2007 he was Creative Director at UNStudio in Amsterdam.

In 2006 he was appointed Professor of Innovative Construction and Spatial Concepts at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart. Since 2011 he acts as a vice president responsible for campus development and international affairs.

Graduated from the Vatel Hospitality School, Damien Perrot joined Accor group in 1998, as an IT-project manager for the Wagon-Lits Company. He was then appointed assignment manager for the Procurement Department.

From 2000 to 2012, he successfully occupied various positions within the Hotels Equipment Services: from IT project leader to eventually Department Director and Design & Technical Services Communication Director in 2009.

In 2013, he joined the ibis brands teams, as the Technical Vice-President for all Europe.

Since January 2014, Damien is leading the Group Global Design department. His major challenge today is to define the Design strategy for each Brand and ensure to reinforce the brand equity and brand identity.

Fond of cuisine since its childhood and later on of board sports, Damien Perrot’s main objective is to bring his team and the group strategy beyond hospitality traditional boarders in terms of design. Always respecting operational obligations, the Global Design department is increasingly looking for creativity to build experiences and arouse emotions while also increasing the performance for our investors.

Patrik Schumacher is principal of Zaha Hadid Architects and is leading the firm since Zaha Hadid’s passing in March 2016. He joined Zaha Hadid in 1988 and was seminal in developing Zaha Hadid Architects to become a 400 strong global architecture and design brand.

Patrik Schumacher is a winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize for excellence in architecture and an academician of the Berlin Academy of Arts.

In 1996 he founded the Design Research Laboratory at the Architectural Association in London where he continues to teach. Patrik Schumacher holds a PhD in Cultural Science and has published over 100 articles to architectural journals and anthologies, as well as a two-volume treatise on architecture.

Daniel Hajjar is the Managing Principal of the HOK London studio. In addition to managing

the studio, Daniel remains actively involved in project work in order to bring a wide range of

experience to our clients. A large portion of his experience has been in developer led mixed-use

developments with a particular focus on the public realm and residential component.

Daniel constantly searches for new and innovative ways to design, manage and deliver

projects for clients regardless of locale is an important goal on every project in the studio.

Daniel’s international experience has been an important asset in the growth for HOK the

various geographic regions, however, the primary focus of his recent efforts has been the

regional UK market.

Catherine Huang joined BIG in 2007 and became partner in 2017. She has worked closely with Bjarke Ingels across a wide range of projects and typologies such as the Danish Pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, an energy efficient skyscraper currently completed in Shenzhen, a low energy masterplan in Toronto, and residential projects in Copenhagen and Stockholm that enhance the urban fabric by creating shared social spaces as a byproduct of the design. Most recently she was the Design Leader for a residential complex in Hualien, Taiwan that seeks to blur the line between natural landscape and the built environment. Prior to joining BIG, she drew on undergraduate degree in molecular biology during her time at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design to conduct research into new models of sustainability for the urban realm.
English | Chinese (Mandarin)
Master of Architecture | Harvard University Graduate School of Design | Cambridge, USA B.S. Molecular Biology | University of Texas | Austin, TX
BIG Bjarke Ingels Group | Since 2007 | Copenhagen, DK Shenzhen Energy Mansion | 96.600 M2 | Completed 2018 | Shenzhen, CN | Architect Dortheavej 2 | 6.800 M2 housing | Completed 2017 | Copenhagen, DK | Project Leader The Grove | 55.740 M2 luxury residential | Completed 2016 | Miami, USA | Architect Danish Pavilion at the 2010 Expo | 3.000 M2 | Completed 2010 | Shanghai, CN | Architect Hualien Residences | 120.000 M2 | In Construction | Hualien, TW | Project Leader 79 & PARK | 18.600 M2 residential | In Construction | Stockholm, SE | Project Leader King’s Cross Google HQ | 92.000 M2 | In Construction | London, UK | Project Leader Hualien Container Hotel | 11.700 M2 | In Design | Hualien, TW | Project Leader Hualien Wave Hotel | 99.000 M2 | In Design | Hualien, TW | Project Leader Greenhouse Restaurant | 3,000 M2 | In Design | Hsinpu, TW | Associate Tai Chi Studio | 1.990 M2 | Hsinpu, TW | Associate Yongsan International Business District | 96.500 M2 | Seoul, KR | Project Leader Guangzhou Museum | 80.000 M2 | Guangzhou, CN | Project Leader Vibenhus High-rise | 12.000 M2 | Copenhagen, DK| Project Leader Kiruna New City Center | 400.000 M2 | Kiruna, SE| Project Leader Riga Passenger Terminal | 39.000 M2 | Riga, LV | Project Leader Taiwan City Gate | 72.000 M2 | Taichung, TW| Project Leader Technology Education and Knowledge Building | 43.000 M2 | Taipei, TW| Project Leader Borneriget | 58.600 M2 research and education | Copenhagen, DK | Associate Holland Village Singapore | 59.700 M2 mixed-use | Competition | Singapore, SG | Associate Landsbankinn | 20.000 M2 | Competition 1st Prize | Reykjavik, IS | Architect Den Blå Planet Aquarium | 10.000 M2 | Competition | Copenhagen, DK | Architect
Mo Ping Atelier | 2007 | CN
Harvard Planning Department | 2005-2006 | Cambridge, USA
Nykredit Architecture Prize | 2018 HKIE Structural Excellence Award | Shenzhen Energy Mansion |2018 Danish Architect Associations | Lille Arne Award | Dortheavej 2 | 2018 Architizer A+ Awards Jury and Popular Choice Winner | The Grove | 2017 London Design Awards | Silver Winner | King’s Cross Google HQ | 2017 International Property Award Best Residential Development | 79 & PARK | 2016 MIPIM Award Best Futura Project Finalist | Hualien Residences | 2014 Detail Award Special Prize for Steel | Danish Pavilion, Shanghai Expo 2010 | 2011

Passionate about solving complex urban problems and with a particular expertise in the integration of infrastructure with urban growth and regeneration, Ian has been at the forefront of growing Gensler’s Urban Strategies & Design practice area. Ian oversees projects across the U.K., Europe and the Middle East and brings a deep understanding of the various political, commercial and social drivers that influence planning delivery. Most recently, Ian has been at the forefront of the national debate on the future of aviation in the U.K. with the London Britannia Airport project. A regular speaker and panelist both in the U.K. and at global property conferences, Ian is often called upon to help define the future direction of urban growth and transformation. He studied at the University of Westminster, earning a Diploma in Urban Planning Implementation and B.A. (Hons) in Urban Planning Studies.

Architect and Director Gideon Maasland (1978, Sliedrecht, the Netherlands) was educated at the Technical University Delft. He has more than 15 years of experience as an architect and joined MVRDV in 2016, where he specialised in the transformation of concepts into buildings. He leads MVRDV’s department for large scale, complex buildings in the Netherlands and abroad.

As a Director, Maasland oversees all the projects in his studio. With his hands-on work method, he is directly involved in the construction of multiple projects, making sure that the expectations for a design are maintained until the building is complete. He works on several projects in Poland and the UK and coordinates different Dutch projects: the construction of Valley, a 75.000 m2 multifunctional building in Amsterdam, the construction of two Grotius towers, a 61.800 m2 residential project in the Hague, and the transformation of Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, a trade fair of 170.000m2.

“I’m enthusiastic to come to Warsaw for this lecture in occasion of the event Architecture and Design Network 2020. Warsaw is a city of rapid growth where I see change from focus on square metres to quality. That’s why I will speak about how can we densify the cities and keep good quality of life. What added value can we give to the citizens? How can we be more social, more human, more courageous, more active, more open? In short: How can we make the city of the future?”

Steven’s natural flair for business was apparent early on in his career. While studying interior design in Edinburgh, he was chosen by the Department of Trade and Industry to enrol on a course for future business leaders. This unique experience put Steven on a path to leadership, and within a few years of graduating, he was at the helm of a Dubai-based design firm, which later became part of Perkins and Will. Making a place for himself in an emerging market, set him up with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a determination to succeed.

 Upon returning to the UK to lead our London studio, Steven has steadily transformed the team, and outlook, to that of a globally-minded business, with a passion for establishing deep and meaningful roots in the UK. With London being a global powerhouse for architecture and design, Steven intends, through design innovation, diversity, and thought leadership to make our London studio a leading voice in the UK built environment industry.

“As we grow our business and networks across the Europe region, taking part in this event is going to be a great opportunity to build connections with the industry. I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on the business side of architecture, and hearing from architecture and design colleagues from around the globe.”

Arjan Dingste is Director and Senior Architect at UNStudio, responsible for the managerial, technical and aesthetic aspects of projects from concept to construction. He defines design strategies and manages external relations with clients and consultants in conjunction with internal project coordination. Having worked on several key projects of the office, such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, the Arnhem Central multimodal station, the Booking.com campus and
several other complex projects, like mixed-use, hotel, commercial, public and large-scale infrastructure projects, Arjan has developed an integrated approach to design management and process management and buildability aspects of complex architectural geometries. Currently,
Arjan is also responsible for the designproces of the Cable Car in Gothenburg. In his experience about corporate workspaces, such as the Booking. com HQ and Rabobank Offices, large mixed-use projects in Turkey and Kuwait, he combines an analytic design and managerial approach with
high ambitions on structural and material performance. Arjan brings the specific knowledge of organisational methods of an optimised public infrastructure, commercial typologies and material / technology driven innovations in the construction field to the Knowledge Platforms of UNStudio and affiliated research projects. Arjan graduated from the Technical University Delft and completed his postgraduate education at the ETH in Zürich in 2000.

At AECOM, Elvira is constantly seeking ways to improve our services in order to offer the best design solutions to our clients, identifying and optimizing the opportunities, ensuring a satisfactory outcome for all parties involved in the process.

Elvira has developed a highly skilled and flexible team of Architects, Interior Designers and Consultants that deliver high quality design solutions for corporations, hoteliers, and universities in any part of the world.

Her main interest is to help design and build meaningful working environments that stay relevant throughout the years and evolve with the organizations, enabling talent to shine. The best measure of a great project in her opinion, is when the client finds new ways of adapt, customize and use creatively the designs that Elvira’s team have provided.

Her team offers a fully integrated service which helps organizations to see space as a strategic tool with the power to improve employees’ performance and wellbeing, producing an obvious improvement within the organization.

“The world today is often described as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). In this ever-changing context, design emerges as an important tool to overcome complex challenges and to resolve difficult problems. Technology has impacted our lives more than at any time in history. Faced with new ways of working and thinking about physical space, we need to seamlessly integrate
our physical world with the digital. That is where design comes in! Sharing knowledge and experiences is vital, this is why participating in the Architecture and Design Network Summit is highly interesting. It will provide me with the opportunity of exchanging views, challenges, solutions and insights with key stakeholders of this industry from across Europe, including CIS countries.”

Irina and Olga were born in Chelyabinsk, a Russian city on the border of Europe and Asia. They developed their first real interest in architecture when they were 15, taking an active part in the home renovation and designed their first café for a friend on their second year of university.

Sisters hired their first employees in 2004, shortly after their graduation, and set off to conquer the world.
Working mostly on private interiors with Forbes’ 100 clients in the first years, SS soon realized that their genuine interest lies in creating signature public interiors not just for one, but for all, including themselves.

Irina and Olga are often invited as speakers to the British High School of Design in Moscow, as well as numerous international hospitality & design events (Dezeen’s talks, Sleep+Eat, BDNY and others) and as judges at international design & architecture awards (Dezeen Awards, 2019; The Architecture MasterPrize 2018).

«I am truly inspired just by the thought of what great heights we can reach as a team of industry leaders, united by the upcoming Architecture & Design Network Summit. At Sundukovy Sisters, we believe that design and architecture should be, first and foremost, functional with the primary goal of satisfying people’s evolving needs. That is what makes any space rughtly successful and I am excited to share our valuable insights on how to achieve this.»

Krzysztof studied architecture at Warsaw University of Technology and Delft University of Technology, where he received his Master of Science degree. After graduation with distinction he specialized in computational design and got Master in Advanced Architecture degree at the Institute for Advanced Architecture in Catalonia, Spain. During his studies he has worked for several practices, and also run classes and workshops on computational design at many different universities.

He joined Foster + Partners in 2010 and has since been involved in a number of competitions, including the competition-winning schemes for the Archaeological Museum of Narbonne, and a new HQ for China Merchant in Shenzhen. He has particular experience in dealing with complex geometrical problems, environmental analysis, different types of simulations and advanced systems. He has been working on several super tall high rise projects, including Hermitage Plaza in Paris, China Resources Tower in Shenzhen, and Varso Tower, which is going to be the tallest building not only in Warsaw but also in the EU.  During this work he has been able to take advantage of his experience and apply a variety of different computational tools to support the design processes.

“It is my pleasure to participate in the upcoming Architecture and Design Network Summit. I am excited about this opportunity to join prominent peers in the industry and discuss future opportunities and trends that are shaping the architecture industry in the CEE-CIS region. I have no doubt that this event will present a great platform to promote advancement in architecture and design. This aligns very well with our progressive vision in Wilson Associates, to bring innovation and technical excellence to the market and book our global presence as a design powerhouse.”

“An Architect with 20 years of experience in designing, documenting and managing a wide range of healthcare projects, Burkhard is now playing a vital role in the operations of the Stantec London office as Managing Principal.

 Since joining Stantec in 2003, Burkhard has completed a Master of Science in Construction and Project Management at the Queen’s University Belfast. During his studies he carried out extensive research into the delivery of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) healthcare projects in the United Kingdom.

 Burkhard specialises in the management and execution of large complex healthcare projects and leads multidisciplinary design teams through all stages of the design from inception to completion in the UK and internationally. The wide range of projects in his portfolio includes South West Acute Hospital in Northern Ireland, which won ten design and sustainability awards, and the new Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital.”

“I am excited to participate in the upcoming Architecture and Design Network Summit. I am looking forward to join prominent peers in the industry and discuss future opportunities and trends that are shaping the architecture industry in the CEE-CIS region. I am convinced that this event will help to advance our vision of architecture and design in the future.”

Viggo Haremst is a Partner and Architect for Henning Larsen whose major areas of focus include overseeing design development of competitions and projects, client contact, and strategic development of the office on the European market. Viggo has a broad international perspective. His contributions to the design of the award-winning SDU Campus Kolding resulted in one of the world’s first low-energy universities. His work also includes sustainable office buildings in Germany such as Siemens Global Headquarters and Spiegel Headquarters. Most recently, Viggo has lead the 30-hectare Tibble Masterplan in Stockholm, Sweden. Viggo graduated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in 2000 and joined Henning Larsen in 2015.

“I am very pleased to participate in the forthcoming Architecture and Design Network Summit. In particular, I am looking forward to join the discussion on how to develop the architecture and design industry in the future with colleagues from the industry, bringing the Scandinavian perspective of Henning Larsen to the conversation.”

As Head of Hospitality at Areen Design, Andrew is involved in, and monitors all aspects of a project: from initial client contact, brief and concept development through to documentation and site installation. His passion for delivering design solutions which add value, without compromising creative quality, is resolute.

Andrew has designed insightful interiors for many of the world’s leading hotel operators including Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, Accor, Hyatt and InterContinental Hotels Group. The concept for each project is anchored in the site, situation and cultural condition of the building and the community it inhabits. Andrew believes that a design can only be considered truly successful if it achieves integration with its local environment, he explains “Functionality and efficiency may drive returns, but any hospitality brand has to integrate the personality of the place and the people in each location.”

Andrew has worked across four continents on both new build projects and major refurbishments of hotels. His reputation as both a conference speaker and thought leader continues to grow, founded on design principles which he firmly believes will release more value to investors and operators.

Areen Design is currently working on projects across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, Central Asia and China.

Born in 1968, Elisabetta Trezzani studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milan and graduated in 1994. She joined RPBW in Genoa in 1998 working initially on the design of the Aurora Place office and residential buildings in Sydney. She was subsequently involved in the design and construction of the addition to the High Museum in Atlanta, where she ran the site office until the project completion in 2005.

Together with Mark Carroll, she led the teams working on the new Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge. She was the Partner in charge of the SoHo residential tower project in New York, completed in March 2019. She also worked on the RPBW exhibitions in Rome, Atlanta, Milan and New York.

She is currently leading the 555 Howard Street hotel project in San Francisco, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles and the 540 West 21st Street residential project in New York including David Zwirner Gallery .

Elisabetta became a Partner in 2011 and was appointed member of the board in 2014.

“It is with great pleasure that I decided to participate in the Architecture and Design Network Summit. I am looking forward to representing RPBW philosophy and our vision to build places where people can gather, share values, and their experiences; our intent to build places for people.”

Peter Zöch joined Snøhetta Studio Innsbruck in 2018, where he overseas
communications and business development. Zöch studied Landscape Architecture in
Vienna and Manchester, as well as Communication Management at Danube
University Krems. From 2000 to 2015 he was an editor of Topos – The International
Review of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, and Garten + Landschaft, the
German landscape architecture magazine. From 2015 to 2018 he was Director
Communications of the internationally renowned lighting design office Bartenbach.
Zöch has also been working as freelance author and curator in the fields of
landscape architecture, architecture and urban design.

“I am looking forward to being part of the upcoming Architecture and Design Network Summit. This event provides an excellent opportunity to connect with industry professionals and to get to know the trends in architecture and design in the CEE-CIS region. As a forward-thinking global studio with an interdisciplinary background, Snøhetta is keen on contributing to a sustainable future of the built environment in the region. This platform gives an ideal opportunity for debate and exchange of ideas.”

Julian is a Julian is a Principal and Design Lead for Europe at the Woods Bagot London Studio. He has more than 20 years’ of architecture and design experience encompassing the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He is highly experienced in delivering large-scale urban masterplans, high-end mixed use developments and luxury residential and hotel projects from inception to completion. Julian has been a guest critic and lecturer at London South Bank University, the Bartlett School of Architecture and the University of Greenwich and is currently a RIBA Part 3 mentor at the University of Westminster. at the Woods Bagot London Studio. He has more than 20 years’ of architecture and design experience encompassing the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He is highly experienced in delivering large-scale urban masterplans, high-end mixed use developments and luxury residential and hotel projects from inception to completion. Julian has been a guest critic and lecturer at London South Bank University, the Bartlett School of Architecture and the University of Greenwich and is currently a RIBA Part 3 mentor at the University of Westminster.

“I am very excited to be included in the next Architecture and Design Network forum. Such an opportunity provides me with a platform to discuss the latest in design innovation and share knowledge with so many great minds from across our global industry. This is 100% in line with what we do at Woods Bagot, constantly looking for ways to improve upon what we know to deliver the best architecture for people; our clients, their customers and the communities in which we work. I look forward to taking part and meeting everyone in May 2020!”

• Vice-President of the architectural office Kuryłowicz & Associates Sp. z o.o., General Designer.
• Head of the Institute of Design and Theory of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology
• President of the Board of Stefan Kurylowicz Foundation
______________________________________________________

Since 2019 – Member of the Accessibility Council at the Ministry of Infrastructure in Poland
Since 2015 – President of Advisory Board of Competition Jurors at the Main
Board of Polish Architects SARP
Since 2014 – Tenured professor PhD ,DSc at the Faculty of Architecture , Warsaw
University of Technology
Since 2012 – President of the Board of Stefan Kurylowicz Foundation
Since 2012 – Head of the Institute of Design and Theory of Architecture at the
Faculty of Architecture , WTU
Since 2012 – Member of the Committee of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Academy of Polish
Science PAN
Since 2011 – General designer at Architectural Design Office Kuryłowicz &
Associates, Co Ltd.
2005- 2007 – Expert on Universal Design for Architects Council of Europe for the
Build for All project
2000- 2008 – Director of UIA Working Programme “Spiritual Places “
2005, 6,7,8 – Visiting professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Ghent St Lucas University ,
1987 – Visiting professor at the Faculty of Architecture , University of Detroit Mercy, USA
1975 – Studies at the Faculty of Architecture , Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa , USA

“I believe in exchanging views and ideas at the conferences and international meetings – this is a rare opportunity for all of us , being so busy and communicating with each other on everyday basis through internet and different smart devices. Nothing compares to face to face conversation with real people who are experts in the field and who have knowledge on the subject which is interesting for both sides. I can share the experience of the whole team of Kurylowicz& Associates , present on the architectural scene for 30 years already , as well as the results of my research and didactic work at the Warsaw University of Technology . That is why I am looking forward to Architecture and Design Network Summit with big expectations and I am sure I will not be disappointed.”

Matthieu Wotling is Architect Partner at Kengo Kuma & Associates. He obtained his architect diploma INSA-ENSAIS with highest honors and jury congratulations in Strasbourg in 2004 after completing a third year study exchange at the EPFL in Switzerland.
After joining Kengo Kuma in Tokyo office in 2008, he now provides overall leadership for the ongoing projects in Europe and also enforces the strategy and design direction of the firm’s development in Paris.

In 2014, he was awarded with the Palmarès des Jeunes Urbanistes, a prize given by the French government. He is also a multiple laureate of the “Europan” international competition for young architects in 2008, 2010 and 2014. His work is a tightrope walking act through architecture and urbanism. He pays particular attention to the convergence of territorial, constructive and programmatic issues whilst focusing on Kengo Kuma’s research on spaces and experimental materials.

He has been a partner and co-director of the Kengo Kuma Paris office since 2016 and he’s currently developing several projects including the future Maritime Museum of Saint-Malo, the Exhibition Park of Strasbourg, the Eco-Hotel T5B in Paris, the Saint-Denis Pleyel Emblematic train station and Mont Blanc Base Camp headquarter, awarded with the National Wooden Construction Prize for Publics and Tertiary buildings.

“Our architectural ethos is based on a mutual dialogue between experience, site context, technology and the essential relationship with nature. That is why I am delighted to be contributing to the session on sustainability and to participate in the 2020 Architecture & Design Network, to share our expertise and discover new fields of experimentation in the CEE-CIS region.”

With more than 20 years of architectural design and property development experience, in his current position since 2014 Norbert Schőmer is responsible for WING’s office developments, one of the core business lines of the company. His real estate development references cover the most prominent office projects in Budapest, including the full-scale development of E-On Headquarters, Ericsson House and the City’s largest, 105,000 sqm GBA office development project – a landmark headquarters building for Magyar Telekom. Norbert Schőmer’s ongoing projects include the new Siemens-evosoft Headquarters, situated along the River Danube and Liberty, a 42,000 sqm GLA office development next to the new Telekom Headquarters and he is responsible for an extensive project pipeline.

Norbert Schőmer graduated as an architect and also has MSC and MBA diplomas. Before joining WING, he led office, retail and industrial development projects for AIG/Lincoln and DTZ, and designed and managed residential projects for private investors.

 “I am an architect in my heart, a businessman in my brain and an environmentalist in my soul. It is an honour to be a member of the panel in the Architectural and Design Network Summit, which will be an excellent platform to discuss challenges of our profession, architectural design and related property development issues. How can we make our future city landscape aesthetically, economically and environmentally sustainable? Should the market players of CEE wait for the more developed markets to show us directions, or we can get to the frontline of shaping our future? I will be pleased to discuss these challenges with the distinguished members of our panel and pass on our findings to other players, regions and generations.” 

Alessandra has practiced architecture in the UK, Europe and the Middle East for nearly twenty years. She is one of the practice’s key technical leaders and has designed a variety of high-profile residential, office and mixed-use projects with a focus on the Middle East, London and Milan. In addition, Alessandra drives the strategic design management for many of PLP’s other projects throughout the world.

Alessandra recently completed the new UK Headquarters for Qatar Airways in Mayfair, central London and Lincoln Square, a dynamic new residential development in Holburn. She is leading our competition-winning design for a technology company’s global headquarters in Moscow, which will house 12,000 employees in an iconic, light filled building and is delivering Corso Como Place in Milan, now under construction, which will see an outdated tower completely refurbished into a new retail plaza and signature office building.

“I am thrilled to be participating in the Future of Workplace Design session at the 2020 Architecture & Design Network. As a practice we are global leaders in the design of workplaces and have completed some of the greenest and most flexible buildings in the world. I am looking forward to bringing my expertise to the event and sharing and learning with others.”