Berlin Fellowship 2025 — Architecture
Valentina Soana
*1986 in Rome (IT)
Lives in London (UK)
Instagram: @valentinasoana
Vita
Valentina Soana’s research is highly interdisciplinary, situated at the intersection of robotics, architecture, art, and engineering. She develops lightweight, shape-morphing robotic structures that integrate material and robotic intelligence to create adaptive environments, redefining the relationship between humans, space, and technology. With a background in architecture, robotics, and engineering, she is currently an academic and researcher at University College London, working across the Architecture and Engineering Departments. Her work has been presented at leading conferences in science, structural engineering, physics, robotics, and architecture, and has been featured in exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale.
Residency
During the fellowship, Valentina will explore the performative potential of soft, shape-morphing structures for creating interactive and adaptive environments. Moving beyond purely technical approaches, she will investigate how these systems can engage the senses through movement, sound, atmosphere, and emotional resonance to enrich spatial experience. Through experimental prototypes, her research will examine how robotics, material intelligence, and interaction can transform our perception of space and influence the way we inhabit and relate to our surroundings.