Fabiana Nery Pardhanani
I studied Architecture & Urban Design at the Universidade Belas Artes, in Sao Paulo, before graduate, I got an apprenticeship position with Arch Esther Stiller, who was a pioneer lighting architect in Brazil and had worked with famous architects back in the 60s. I became passionate about the lighting subject and decided to discover more about it, enrolling myself into a Master in environmental architecture & lighting at University of Sao Paulo studying environmental architecture and lighting design, learning the benefits of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, preservation of natural resources through sustainable materials and reduction of waste through responsible construction practices.
Following an additional lighting subject, I have also focussed on the benefits a good architectural & lighting design and how we can improve mood and wellbeing, boosting energy levels, enhance productivity and concentration, aesthetic appeal of enhancing architectural spaces at night with conscious of energy efficiency, explore the connection of indoor & outdoor spaces where the connection with nature benefits people’s physiological comfort.
Since my started as an architect of lighting in Brazil, I have managed to work in commercial and residential projects back home for nearly 5 years before left Brazil. I worked my way up to being a Senior Lighting Designer leading on a variety of projects in different sectors, such as high-end residential, museums, office buildings, retail areas and others.
Since qualifying in 1998, I have gained a variety of experience and have an impressive international portfolio of both small and large projects, including hotels, commercial buildings, luxury residential projects & developments, landscape designs, retail developments & luxury yachts.
Since coming to the UK in 2003 I have worked for several London-based companies as a lighting designer, as well as creating and developing a successful lighting design department on this companies.
I have had a great opportunity to work alongside some of London's most prestigious architects such as Forster+ Partners, BPD Partnership, Zaha Hadid, AHMM, Sheppard Robson, Buckley Gray Yoman, Fletcher & Priest, Gensler’s, Perkin & Will, and others, also being involved in several major international projects, including the Puerta America Hotel in Madrid; the Capella Resort in Singapore and the World Trade Centre development in Abu-Dhabi, AMC Cinemas in Riyadh . Some of UK prestigious projects like the Olympic Velodrome in London, ME Hotel, LSE Marshall Building, successful law firms such as Cooley & Baker McKenzie & Dechert & The Whiteleys development, Fleet Street office development, Fenwick in Bond Street, luxury residential developments such as K1 Knightsbridge and private residencies in Kensington Gardens & Mayfair, east Village developments . I have been managing the lighting team with a very successful approach to a good relationship between the professional team and creating a good relationship with clients, without forgetting the passion for lighting and detail.
I have also achieved to successfully synthesize my architectural background and my special interest of environmental energy & lighting to give my conceptual lighting design ideas an innovative mix. I take a systematic approach when discussion and creating lighting schemes, considering all architectural influences and aspects in order to produce precise and appropriate lighting schemes and most importantly sustainable projects, as one of my first passion areas of design.
I could say that I have self-developed into more project management and leadership roles through the years, with I am enjoying the challenges very much, stepping out of spaces where I feel safe, understanding & focus on the importance of a team’s growth, good communication & initiative, adapting myself to quick changes on the work environment and the importance of flexibility & decision-making.
Be involved with your team and clients, step into their shoes and identify priorities and common ground are complex challenges which I like to say that I take very seriously and believe that I can adapt my skills to create a deep understanding and connection with other on emotional level, building trust and engagement which in my opinion drives us to a success outcome.
I also get involved with different elements of the business world and how it can affect our industry, I like to stay informed, research and continuous learning to adapt my business development skills where I believe networking and be aware of the industry events can bring us up to the next level.