My name is Gesthimani (pronounced "Gesthēmanē"), and I usually go by "Mania" (Mánia). I received my 5-year degree in architecture in Greece, and my post-professional degree (MArch II) at UCLA AUD (Entertainment Studio). As part of my studies, my focus has been on storytelling and the design of imaginary worlds. I have over 6 years of experience as an architectural designer in Greece and California, with projects spanning from residential architecture and architectural visualizations, to master planning and archival/historical research. I am currently working at the Google R+D Lab for the Built Environment as an Innovation Manager.
I love playful, investigative, tangible and intangible architecture & design that rely on holistic worldbuilding. My aspiration is to change the idea of the general public that architecture is strictly about buildings and the physical environment. I want to deliver stories and experiential designs.
I tend to be constantly active and my latest ventures include but are not limited to: public art projects, swing dancing, and playing the piano.
Self-Employed, Freelance Design Consultant
• Consultant for Google R+D for the Built Environment
• Consultant for Praxis Films
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, US, Masters, Master of Architecture II
- Student of the Entertainment Studio led by Natasha Sandmeier & Nathan Su.
- Projects selected throughout all quarters for UCLA AUD's CURRENTS quarterly exhibition.
- Elected student representative for the MArch II class.
- Coordinator for the Summer session exhibition.
- Graduated with Distinction and first in the MArch II class.
National Technical University of Athens, Athens, GR, BArch, Architecture
- Elected board member for the University's PASP student union group (2009-2013).
- Diploma thesis ranked in top 5 (perfect score) among 60 projects.
- Top 15% of class (212 students).
