Speaker detail

Manuela Gatto

Manuela Gatto is a Project Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, where she has worked since 2002. With over 20 years of international experience, she has led and contributed to a wide range of complex architectural and urban projects across Europe and Asia, including high-rise developments, mixed-use complexes, infrastructure, hospitality, and large-scale urban regeneration schemes. Throughout her career at ZHA, she has played a key role in project leadership, design coordination, contract administration, and client negotiations, while also contributing to office-wide management, including financial and resource oversight. She is currently leading major projects such as the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, Cityzen Mixed-Use Tower in Tbilisi, AlUla Pavilion in Saudi Arabia, Genzon Headquarters in Wuhan, and the Shenzhen Headquarters and Learning Centre for the Yidan Foundation (Tencent). She also serves as Project Director for transport and hospitality developments in Ukraine, Malta, and China, including metro infrastructure, luxury resorts, and heritage restoration projects. Previously, she was Co-Project Director of the Sberbank Headquarters in Moscow and led award-winning competition entries such as Leeza SOHO in Beijing and Danjiang Bridge in Taipei. She is also a senior masterplanning specialist, leading major urban regeneration projects including the Zhengdong New District Financial Innovation City in China. Her early career includes landmark projects such as BMW Central Building in Leipzig, Sky SOHO in Shanghai, Zorrozaurre Masterplan in Bilbao, and the Bridge Pavilion for EXPO Zaragoza 2008. Manuela Gatto holds a Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association (AADRL, London) and a Degree in Architecture from IUAV Venice. She has also taught and lectured at leading international institutions worldwide. Her work has received major international recognition, including RIBA, CTBUH, and European architecture awards. Her expertise includes urban design, high-rise architecture, complex mixed-use developments, and global project leadership.