Fabiana Nery Pardhanani
Fabiana studied Architecture and Urban Design at the Universidade Belas Artes in São Paulo. Before graduating, she secured an apprenticeship with Arch Esther Stiller, a pioneering lighting architect in Brazil who had collaborated with renowned architects in the 1960s. This experience ignited her passion for lighting, leading her to pursue a Master's in Environmental Architecture and Lighting at the University of São Paulo. There, she deepened her understanding of the benefits of reducing energy consumption, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and preserving natural resources through sustainable materials and responsible construction practices.
Fabiana further explored the impact of good architectural and lighting design on mood, wellbeing, and productivity, as well as the aesthetic appeal of enhancing architectural spaces at night with a focus on energy efficiency. She also examined the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and how this relationship benefits people’s physiological comfort.
Starting her career as a lighting architect in Brazil, Fabiana worked on commercial and residential projects for nearly five years before leaving the country. She quickly advanced to the role of Senior Lighting Designer, leading various projects across sectors such as high-end residential, museums, office buildings, and retail areas. Since qualifying in 1998, she has amassed a diverse international portfolio that includes hotels, commercial buildings, luxury residential projects, landscape designs, retail developments, and luxury yachts.
After moving to the UK in 2003, Fabiana worked for several London-based companies as a lighting designer, where she successfully created and developed lighting design departments. She had the opportunity to collaborate with prestigious London architects such as Forster+ Partners, Zaha Hadid, AHMM, and others. Her involvement extended to major international projects like the Puerta America Hotel in Madrid, the Capella Resort in Singapore, and the World Trade Centre development in Abu Dhabi, as well as notable UK projects such as the Olympic Velodrome in London, the ME Hotel, and the LSE Marshall Building. She also worked on luxury residential developments in Kensington Gardens and Mayfair, among others.