Timber Futures

Andreea is an architect, researcher, and stage designer at Arup, working across arts, culture, and civic projects worldwide. Her experience strategy, cultural consultancy, and scenographic work span installations, performing arts venues, cultural districts, and urban-scale developments. With a background in architecture, scenography, and cultural foresight, Andreea creates projects that connect human experience, identity, and participatory design. She has contributed to immersive environments, public art strategies, cultural masterplans, and stage productions. In her approach, Andreea blends research, design, and storytelling — using writing and scenography to craft sensory-rich spaces and strategic frameworks that resonate with communities. Her interdisciplinary mindset ensures inclusive, impactful outcomes — merging cultural narratives, experiential design, and future-focused thinking to foster belonging and civic value.

Michael is an Associate Principal at Populous with nearly a decade of experience leading the design of sports and entertainment venues across the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His diverse portfolio includes football stadiums ranging from 4,000 to 115,000 seats, elite training facilities, arenas, and large-scale masterplans. Known for a strong conceptual design approach, Michael grounds each project in its specific context, culture, and environment—ensuring work that is both locally resonant and globally relevant. A passionate advocate for engineered timber, Michael explores its application across all scales of architecture. He is particularly interested in its potential for long-span structures and civil infrastructure, and has led the design of timber bridges, stadiums, and boutique civic interventions. In addition, Michael developed a parametric tool for grading timber species and combining them in composite systems to harness their strengths—whether structural, environmental, or related to durability—within a single construction method. His work reflects a deep appreciation for the balance between the constraints and expressive possibilities of building with wood.

Martin Gsandtner is a Lead Designer at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he contributes to the studio’s internationally acclaimed portfolio spanning mainly Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and cultural relevance, his work explores the intersection of advanced computational design and environmental responsiveness. He has been involved in a diverse range of projects, from landmark architectural developments to speculative design research, always aiming to create architecture that is both visionary and grounded in its context. Within the collaborative framework of Zaha Hadid Architects, he plays a key role in shaping spatial strategies that balance form, materiality, and performance. His design sensibility draws from a deep engagement with emerging technologies, while remaining attentive to atmosphere, scale, and human experience. As a jury member, he brings a critical, future-oriented perspective rooted in both conceptual clarity and technical excellence, advocating for architecture that is bold, intelligent, and deeply connected to its environment.

Luca is a designer at Zaha Hadid Architects, focusing on international large-scale competitions and leveraging his computational design expertise. His background spans architecture and product design, applying advanced digital tools to projects ranging from masterplans to innovative architectural solutions. In his current role, Luca contributes to concept development, visualisation, and parametric modelling for complex projects that often push the boundaries of contemporary design. He collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to explore new creative possibilities and streamline workflows through digital innovation. Having worked on various high-profile developments across different countries, Luca brings a global perspective to each project, seamlessly integrating aesthetic vision with technical precision. His passion for sustainability and pioneering technology continues to drive his commitment to shaping forward-thinking environments and inspiring architectural excellence.

Iago is a Senior Architect at Dar Al-Handasah in London, where he leads the Bridge and Infrastructure department, contributing to innovative projects across the globe. He previously held roles at Zaha Hadid Architects and WATG, applying his design expertise to a diverse range of project typologies, including transportation, sports, hospitality, and urban planning. His current focus lies in public infrastructure, where his team embraces the belief that beauty should emerge from functionality and practicality. For Iago, great design seamlessly integrates all elements, appearing simple, yet thoroughly considered.