Welcome Vanessa Costalonga
Vanessa Costalonga is an Architect specialising in Computational Design, Digital Fabrication, and Material Research in Architecture
She holds a professional Diploma in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Brasília (2015), and an M.Sc. ITECH from the University of Stuttgart (2020), where she also worked as a Research Associate at the Department of Bio-based Materials and Materials Cycles in Architecture (BioMat), within the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE).
With a diverse professional background, Vanessa has practised as an Architect internationally, including at Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Italy, as well as in South Africa and her native Brazil, completing projects across a range of scales. Vanessa has also recently presented her work at the Venice Architecture Biennale in both 2021 (Arsenale) and 2023 (Palazzo Mora).
Focusing on sustainability from a Global South perspective, Vanessa is interested in the integration of emergent technologies and bio-based materials to advance sustainable architectural solutions in developing countries. Her ongoing PhD Research investigates the implementation of circular practises in informal settlements, particularly examining how digital fabrication could facilitate material reuse and participatory projects in this context.
The Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) develops research on matching reused architectural materials with people and projects through digitalization for a circular built environment. For more information visit our webpage.