“ITALY GIVES YOU AN EXTRA GEAR”

Natalia Giacomino, Architect in London

“Being trained in a country as rich in art as Italy gives you an extra gear,” says Natalia Giacomino, a London-based architect and self-described “narrator of spaces.”
“Every place has a story, a memory embedded in its DNA that must be expressed through architecture. The design experience must be holistic ,visual, olfactory, tactile, sensory.”

Forty-one years old, Roman by birth, with a degree in Architecture and Building Engineering from the University of Florence, and mother of two children , Delia (8) and Dario (6) ,our “narrator of spaces” worked in China before landing on the banks of the Thames, where she founded Natalia Giacomino Architects. She shares her journey in this interview with our newspaper.

Natalia Giacomino, Architect in London:

“Italy Gives You an Extra Gear”

“I arrived in London ten years ago, convinced I would stay for just one year. Five years ago, however, I founded my studio with a clear mission: to create timeless architecture capable of uniting innovation and elegance, rigor and human sensitivity.

Today, we design residential, office, commercial, and hospitality projects, with particular attention to conservation areas, engaging in dialogue with history through meticulous detailing and deep respect for context.”

You also lived in China. What was that experience like?

Natalia:
“Yes ,three intense years, from November 2012 to September 2015, worth the equivalent of ten years of experience elsewhere. When I left for China, everything was new, vibrant, almost surreal. It felt like being inside a Fellini film, with a camera hovering above me, capturing a journey suspended between reality and imagination.

In Shanghai and Beijing, I learned to look beyond form, to grasp the soul of places.”

Tell us about your professional journey

“I worked at the studio of my dreams, MAD Architects, on extraordinary projects: skyscrapers, pavilions, 4D cinemas, and vast masterplans. During that time, I discovered discipline, the poetry of detail, and the strength that emerges when imagination meets matter.

My life has been a journey through cultures, emotions, and spaces. Before becoming an architect, I was a seeker of stories , of light, harmony, and that fragile balance that connects humans to nature. My path is driven by curiosity, by observing the world as if it were a film in constant motion.”

How would you describe your architectural philosophy?

“I believe in architecture that moves people emotionally. Every project is a unique and personal journey, where function intertwines with beauty, and beauty with poetry.

From China to London, I understood that architecture is not just construction , it is storytelling, experience, emotion. I learned to truly know myself without familial, religious, or social constraints; to avoid judgment; to integrate into different cultures; and to remain open, curious, and eager to connect with people.”

Who are your professional references?

“Carlo Scarpa for elegance and timeless design;
Peter Zumthor for the poetry of his projects;
Jean Nouvel for technological innovation;
Kazuyo Sejima for her love of design and conceptual clarity.”

Is studying in Italy important?

“Being educated in a country as rich in art as Italy gives you an undeniable advantage. The territory is constantly immersed in art and architecture — from churches to Roman and Etruscan ruins ,offering endless inspiration and continuous dialogue with history.”

How big is your studio, and why should a client choose you?

“We are currently a core team of three, working with freelancers up to ten people depending on project scale, with the intention to grow. Our clients include private and commercial commissions, retail spaces, and medical practices and clinics. We have also worked with several Italian clients based in London.

We offer an international vision: experience between China and London allows us to blend cultures, materials, and architectural languages in an original and contemporary way. Each project balances technical rigor with spatial poetry.

I personally oversee every phase =,from concept to completion ,with a tailored, almost sartorial approach, and a deep sense of responsibility toward both client and environment. For every project, we carefully consider how spaces will be lived: movement, dialogue, internal and external flows, logistics, and interactions.”

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Full Article in Italian Version

Ultima Edizione – La Notizia Londra

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