Silvia is an Italian chartered architect with international experience in residential, retail and interior design. She worked in the UK (Claudio Silvestrin Architects, 1+1=1 Architects), in the USA (Devorah Friedman Interiors+Studio2HB), and from 2019 to 2021 she held a Senior Architect position at JingTangLang Enterprise in Suzhou, China. In 2021 she joined Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) as Assistant Professor of Practice, where she currently teaches and conducts research in the Department of Architecture.

During her career, she took part in several national and international design competitions and commissioned projects where her knowledge and skills have been applied from large urban-scale design to furniture design. Most relevant are the The Museum of 20th Century International Competition (Berlin, 2015), The Big Tiny Coffee House Challenge (International Design Competition – 3rd prize winner, 2018), Giada Stores (Milan, Beijing, New York, 2015), Roka Restaurant (London, 2015), Rosso Pomodoro Restaurant (Copenhagen, 2015), 17th Mansion – Boutique Hotel (Suzhou, 2019), Haier Headquarters (Qingdao, 2019), Nanjing Tangshan Club Med Spa Resort (Nanjing, 2020), Shokai Shopping Mall (Suzhou, 2021), and Shanghai Residential Compound (Fujian, 2021). She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and advanced certifications in digital modelling and rendering techniques.

At XJTLU, Silvia’s research and teaching focus on the integration of Artificial Intelligence, speculative design, and digital innovation in architectural education and practice. Her work explores how AI and emerging technologies can enhance creativity, design thinking and visualization processes, bridging digital tools with critical and conceptual thinking. She is actively engaged in gamification and digital game-based learning initiatives, developed in collaboration with EDU and AoFE colleagues, investigating playful learning environments that foster student engagement and cognitive exploration in design.

Silvia’s funded projects explore AI-enhanced professional practice, BIM adoption in architectural education, and interactive pedagogical models, with applications ranging from hybrid analog–digital workflows to student-centered, technology-driven learning. Her contributions have been recognized with several national and international awards, including the 2025 NCDA National College Digital Art Design Award confirming her commitment to bridging academia, technology, and professional practice through innovative design education.

Artificial Intelligence

Digital Education

Gamification

Digital game based learning

Professional Practice

Architecture Competitions

Urban and Landscape Ecologies

Cultural Innovation and Critical Practice

Senior Designer - GoldMantis Enterprise (Suzhou) - 2019 to 2021

Architect - Studio 2HB + Devorah Friedman Interior - 2016 to 2019

Architect - Claudio Silvestrin Architect (London) - 2015 to 2016

DES107 Entrepreneurialism in Design and Engineering

DES302 Final Year Project

ARC304 Final Year Project

ARC305 Small and Medium Scale Buildings

ARC306 Professional Practice

ARC204 Small Urban Buildings

ARC205 Design and Building Typology

ARC002 Architectural Representation and Communication

ARC001 Introduction to Architecture and Visual Culture

2025 NCDA Awards - 13th National College Digital Art Design Competition: Future Designer Award

2024 Academic Excellence Award - Professional Practice 2nd prize 2023/2024 academic year

2023 Academic Excellence Award - Teaching Excellence Award 1st prize 2022/2023 academic year

2021 Asia Pacific Design Award Commercial APDC Honorable Award Shokai Shopping Mall Suzhou

2020 Asia Pacific Design Award Hospitality APDC Honorable Award Nanjing Tangshan Club Med Spa Resort

2018 International Design Competition The Tiny Coffee House Challenge organized by Buildner Architecture Competition + KREEM official partner 3rd prize winner

2015 The Museum of 20th Century International Competition (Berlin)