LET’S CREATE
WEBSITE COMING SOON…
architecture - interior - sustainability - transformations - styling - renderings
Gemma Galeno, an architect and building engineer, harbors a profound passion for biophilic design and the restoration of heritage buildings. With roots in both Sicily and the Netherlands, she pursued her degree in Building Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology. She later specialized in the sustainable transformation of heritage buildings for her Master's at Delft University of Technology.
Now having her firm since 2019, she has projects in built in Amsterdam, Hilversum, Bali, Dominican Republic, Senegal, Spain, and Italy.
→ About Gemma
SNEAK PREVIEW
My lifelong fascination with monuments, a passion ignited during my childhood when my father, who worked in Rome, would often take me along. I was given the freedom to roam, and I soon found myself captivated, sketching the grandeur of monumental buildings from within and without. I was mesmerized by the history these walls had witnessed, the stories they could tell. Among these, the Roman monuments and ruins stood out with their majestic construction and meticulous attention to detail, making me feel both small and privileged to walk among them.
From a young age, I was particularly intrigued by the visible scars and modifications on these buildings. It was fascinating to observe Romanesque and Baroque architectural elements seamlessly integrated into some Roman structures. These monuments had been altered, adapted, and renovated across various epochs, yet they maintained a harmonious coexistence of different historical layers. This is where my passion for transformation was kindled. Today, I find myself specializing in the transformation and renovation of heritage buildings.
There's a profound satisfaction in witnessing a new spirit blend with the ancestral essence of these structures. Given that most monuments are protected, the challenge lies in how to apply temporary design and functionality. There are numerous approaches, one of which involves introducing removable elements that enhance the space with contemporary style and utility without compromising the integrity of the original monument.
→ View full portfolio
SUSTAINABILITY
At GIG Architectural Design, we create spaces that blend beauty, functionality, and harmony with nature. As an architect and building engineer with a passion for biophilic design and heritage preservation, my approach is rooted in sustainability and respect for Mother Nature.
Our Approach:
Sustainable Materials: We use eco-friendly, locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact and enhance natural beauty.
Energy Efficiency: Our designs feature solar panels, heat pumps, and greywater recycling systems to create self-sustaining, energy-efficient buildings.
Biophilic Design: We bring the tranquility of nature indoors, promoting well-being through seamless integration of indoor and outdoor environments.
Heritage Preservation: Specializing in transforming heritage buildings, we honor their original character while breathing new life into them.
From bespoke villas on Ibiza's cliffs to serene retreats in Bali and the Dominican Republic, our projects reflect a deep connection to nature and a commitment to sustainability. Join us in crafting elegant, nature-inspired spaces that stand the test of time.
CGI - renders - 3D model making
From a young age, Gemma's passions lay in painting, drawing, and conjuring up fantastical realms. Her discovery of CGI tools led her to develop a keen interest in rendering, and two years ago, she became captivated by AI-image tools, viewing them as a harmonious blend of artificial and human intelligence. A particular scene from Westworld, where a designer crafts creations through voice commands to an AI computer, left her enchanted. "I would looove to have that device one day!" she exclaimed to her partner. Now, she finds herself at the threshold of this reality, where machines and designers collaboratively forge new creations.
"I use ai-image creation especially during the end-concepting phase of a project. It helps me to channel and filter down certain different concepts and references. Nowadays my creative process looks like; sketching initial ideas, making modeboards and collecting interesting suitable references, from there testing the above with ai-image creating, translating those images into a sketch designs and testing them out in different realizable ways, and from there definitive design, etc..