• WHO I AM •

       I am Valentina, a Zürich‑based architect and designer working at the intersection of creative strategy, human behavior, and brand identity.

       I believe that Everything has a Story. 

       THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE ONES BEGIN WITH PEOPLE. 

       WHAT do I bring ? 

→ design leadership from concept to execution; 

→ expertise in identifying opportunities and communicating with intent; 

→ proven record in cost tracking, pitches and negotiations. 

       WHY it matters ? 

→ because environments and experiences shape how people feel, behave, and perform

→ because understanding trend cycles and organizational psychology leads to strategies that last

→ because reliable procurement and execution turn a creative vision into a coherent brand identity

       HOW to make it happen ? 

→ First, I listen, understand, research and design with intent; 

→ Next, we’ll identify together the creative direction and its unique WOW effect; 

→ Then, we bring it to life & make it unforgettable - within budget. 

       Ready ? 

       Let’s shape your unforgettable spatial story. 

          •  2021-2026, BRAND ARCHITECT at BREITLING HQ, Grenchen & Zürich

        As Brand Architect I translate the brand’s heritage, precision, and contemporary luxury into spatial experiences around the world. 

My role sits at the intersection of architecture, retail & interior design, and also brand strategy, shaping how people access the brand and how relevant it feels in each market.

I lead the design from concept to execution, ensuring that every environment reflects Breitling’s identity while responding thoughtfully to its local context. I work closely with internal teams, external architects, and regional partners to maintain design integrity, material quality, and a consistent customer journey across markets.

Alongside architectural design, I am proficient in visual merchandising and in creating 360° presentations that bring together product, activations, and campaigns. This allows me to connect spatial design with storytelling, ensuring that every touchpoint, from the environment to the product display, feels cohesive and intentional.

One of my strengths is integrating local cultural cues into a global retail language. 

I love creating spaces that feel unmistakably branded yet authentically rooted in their surroundings. Projects like the Breitling Boutique München and Breitling Boutique Frankfurt reflect this approach. They blend cultural character to create spaces that feel unique and grounded into the local context. 

I also contributed to the Breitling Pop‑Up Museum, a project that expanded the brand’s storytelling beyond retail into an immersive cultural experience. It allowed me to explore how heritage, product, and narrative can come together in a temporary environment that still feels deeply connected to the brand’s identity.

My work is about shaping physical brand storytelling: designing environments that honor Breitling’s legacy while supporting its evolution, and creating unforgettable experiences where people can connect with the brand in a meaningful, human way.

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         •  2020-2021, ARCHITECT at Schäublin Architekten AG, Zürich

       As an architect at Schäublin Architekten AG, I worked on the permission plans for the office conversion of the apartment building linked to the Swiss Mill Tower and contributed creative ideas and new concepts for several Coop stores across the Canton of Zürich.

https://www.beobachter.ch/wohnen/knatsch-um-kundigungen-mitten-in-zurich-coop-will-buros-statt-wohnungen?srsltid=AfmBOop5A_j4Og_JwsFkp6Kfqq86xohYEosv4wnYbOd8X1S0hPoQDEen 

The COOP Office Conversion Project linked to the Swiss Mill Tower was eventually put on hold due to legal complaints from tenants, which paused the planned transformation into office space.

       Before joining Breitling in May 2021, I was briefly delegated to Tilla Theus und Partner AG, where I contributed from the local architect side to the Audemars Piguet AP House Zürich on Bahnhofstrasse, a project that required precision, confidentiality, and a deep understanding of luxury retail environments.

https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/de/stores/ap-house-zurich.html

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         •  2016-2019, ARCHITECT & TEAM LEAD at MACH Architektur, Zürich

      In my previous role as Client Account Manager & Team Leader at MACH Architektur, I assisted renowned brands like:

Breitling SA: furniture & technical drawings, preliminary and design drawing sets, 2018-2019;
Philip Morris & IQOS: concept, design & brand guidelines 2017-2018;

IWC Schaffhausen: roll-out process of worldwide POS, 2016-2017;

Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank: assessment study for a branch in Basel, 2018.

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         •  2015-2016 ARCHITECT at LAG ARCHITECTURE & SCENOGRAPHY, Zürich

HANS LEIDESCHER & ELOISA AVILA

As partner for architectural competitions at LAG Architecture & Scenography, I contributed to the Freilager School Project Public Competition launched by the City of Zürich.  

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& many other short internships and draftswoman roles ...