About
Reggio Emilia
via Felice Cavallotti,
42122, Reggio Emilia
Italy
London
14 Upper Woburn Place
London WC1H 0NN
United Kingdom
Irene is an urban designer
with a background in architecture and urban planning.
BSc Arch, MArch, MRes, AFHEA, PhD
I am a researcher with a background in urban design and architecture. I hold a BSc and MArch from Politecnico di Milano, an MRes from the Bartlett School of Planning, and a PhD from the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London (UCL). During my PhD, I also undertook a research exchange at the Yale Urban Design Workshop in Connecticut.
Following my Master of Research (MRes) in Interdisciplinary Urban Design, I completed a PhD developing research into community-centred approaches of hybrid workspaces for the neighbourhood dimension, and the role of those spaces to represent social infrastructure for the local area.
Alongside my doctoral studies, I worked for several years as an urban designer and architect in both the private and public sectors, contributing to renowned practices in London (UK) and Reggio Emilia (Italy). My experience spans a wide range of project scales, briefs, and complexities, primarily within the public and private sectors.
Over the years, I have built expertise in urban design and social innovation, covering mixed-use developments, public realm design and strategies, strategic urban planning and policy, and urban regeneration. Additionally, I have developed skills in designing and facilitating community engagement processes, employing participatory experimental methods, and implementing placemaking and co-design strategies.
I am committed to driving positive urban and social change through evidence-based research and critical analysis of place-based contexts. I am also an active member of prominent associations and collectives dedicated to innovative urban transformation.
Among the others, I am:
Comune di Reggio Emilia
Public Space Advisor of the City Space Architecture, ITA
Associate member of the Academy of Urbanism (AoU), UK
Architetto Abilitato - Ordine degli Architetti di Reggio Emilia
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
Affiliate Researcher of the UCL Urban Laboratory
Reviewer of the Scientific committee of
Transdisciplinary Workplace Research Network (TWR)
Community Plan of William Dunbar and William Saville Houses, South Kilburn
Tampere Competition
Urban Regeneration of Grays Town Centre
Alton Estate’s People’s Plan: Co-designing neighbourhoods with communities in a blended environment 2020-2021
Granville and Carlton Buildings
We Want Your Views project
White Paper: City Science Office Reggio Emilia
Understanding the Value of Artists’ Studios: The Childers Street Project 2021-2022
Value, nurture, define: a local coworking strategy for Vodafone during the COVID-19 pandemic
Hounslow Local Plan Engagement
Some of my collabs