Open to opportunities

Simona Zanelli

@simonazanelli

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Architect and project manager specializing in residential, hospitality, retail design and gallery direction.

Switzerland

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What I'm looking for

I seek roles combining architectural design and project leadership with opportunities to drive business development, retail/gallery design, and platform-led client solutions.

I am an architect and project manager with extensive experience delivering complex design and execution for residential, hospitality, and retail projects, plus leadership in gallery operations. I have opened and directed a new gallery in Amsterdam, led retail design across multiple international galleries, and developed Salesforce and Artlogic platforms to support business and customer workflows.

I have led architectural teams on large-scale projects in Switzerland and Italy, managed estimates, planning, and site supervision, and taught and certified in safety and fire-safety topics. I combine technical proficiency in design software with business development, marketing, and client-facing sales experience to deliver both creative and commercially successful projects.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Gallery Director

Bruno Art Group

Oct 2019 - Aug 2024 (4 years 10 months)

Opened and developed a new Amsterdam gallery, leading marketing, sales, customer care, events and business development, and managed retail design across galleries in Singapore, China and India while deploying Salesforce and Artlogic platforms.

Salesforce Artlogic Retail Design Marketing Event Management Business Development International Operations

Architect

LITESEAS

Sep 2021 - Jul 2022 (10 months)

Developed design and marketing materials for light gauge steel (LGS) modular architecture, contributing to pilot projects including a 352-room hotel, student apartments, and family houses.

Modular Architectures Marketing Collateral Project Planning Architectural Design Pilot Projects Technical Writing

Retail Design Consultant

Wynist Retail Solutions

Mar 2019 - Mar 2021 (2 years)

Delivered retail design, consulting and product presentations, set business and revenue growth targets, and executed market initiatives to move leads through the sales cycle.

Retail Design Sales Strategy Business Development Market Research Project Planning Stakeholder Management

Architect Team Leader

Dost Architektur GmbH

May 2011 - Mar 2016 (4 years 10 months)

Led architectural project teams responsible for design, estimation and project management on large-scale projects including a 23,000 m2 residential complex and renovations of healthcare and hotel facilities.

Project Management Architectural Design Team Leadership Healthcare Renovation Site Supervision

Architect

Nicolini Engineering Office

Aug 2008 - Jan 2010 (1 year 5 months)

Managed architectural design, structural calculations, fire safety planning and restoration paperwork for historic building renovations; instructed fire safety courses and acted as energy certifier.

Restores Fire Safety Planning Training & Compliance

Architect

Studio Cigognini-Rocca

Mar 2002 - Aug 2008 (6 years 5 months)

Handled architectural design, project management, estimates and site supervision, and maintained the office quality system for ISO 9001 certification while executing renovations for institutional clients.

Architectural Design Project Management Site Supervision ISO 9001 Quality Management Cost Estimation Documentation

Subject Matter Expert

Politecnico di Milano

Sep 2001 - Jun 2002 (9 months)

Contributed as subject matter expert to executive design courses, supporting curriculum delivery and mentoring students in advanced architectural design topics.

Architecture Education Curriculum Development Mentoring

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Salesforce

Consultant Certification, Salesforce Consulting

2020 - 2020

Obtained Salesforce Consultant Certification in August 2020.

I.R.I.A.P.A.

Certificate, Energy Certification

2008 - 2008

Activities and societies: Course on 2002/91/CE, 2006/32/CE, Italian law D.Lgs 311/06.

Completed Energy Saving Certifier course covering European directives and Italian legislation related to energy performance.

Politecnico di Milano

Master of Architecture, Architecture

1996 - 2002

Grade: Graduated with honors

Activities and societies: Safety certification on site construction; Building Quality Certificate ISO 9001 / VISION 2000; Bata factory renovation workshop (Brno); Exam and enrollment to the National Register of the Architects of Italy.

Completed integrated Bachelor's and Master's degree in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano, graduating with honors.