Growing up near Leipzig, Germany, in a family of carpenters, Cornelia was strongly influenced by her proximity to the origins of the Bauhaus movement, with its combination of craft and fine arts. She developed a fundamental belief in the interplay between aesthetics and functionality.
Her unique ability to realize concepts with precise detail was key to a successful tenure alongside Nicoletta Canesi, co-founding partner of
multifaceted studio Lissoni Associati. Cornelia led a New York office team on high-profile projects at diverse scales expressed in architecture, interiors and furniture. Currently, she is co-creating a subscription based D2C business around sustainability in the luxury residential market.
—Capably mobilizes teams around a cohesive vision - including staff, consultants, vendors, stakeholders and clients
—Multi-industry experience with clients in residential design, hospitality, retail, and business fields
—History of working on high visibility, high-profile projects for top industry architecture and design firms
—Leverages international experience and fluency with both, metric and imperial project set ups (US, Germany, Mexico)
Esvitale, New York, NY, US, CEO North America
Spearheading inception of company’s North American headquarter | Directing strategy planning and marketing campaigns | Leading events to present company’s products and services | Establishing customer and affiliate network relations
Select achievements:
—Created roadmap for the company’s growth potential, including target market and competition research, as well as execution strategies.
—Delivered marketing campaign at Engel & Völkers Florida Annual Leadership Seminar, one of EV’s most attended events.
—Elevated ESVITALE’s visual language by concepting and implementing high-visibility campaigns resulting in brand cohesion and increased engagement. (Double feature in Dec. 2019 GG Magazine, premier Architecture and Lifestyle Magazine by Engel & Völkers International)
Studio Sterl, New York, NY, US, Principle Owner
Operating independent design studio that frequently utilizes experimental approach to deliver highly innovative solutions. Cultivating client relations in interior design, decoration and styling. Range of completed projects include residences, restaurants, and offices.
Select achievements:
—Provided unique design solutions for new 5,000 sf lakefront villa in Leipzig, Germany, creating openness and natural transitions. Delivered complete interior design/detailing package, including 3-d renderings. Selection and procurement of materials/FFE specifications.
—Decorated three model units for eight-story luxury apartment building in New York’s Lower East Side neighborhood, including curation of furniture, fabrics, lighting and rugs. Procurement and installation of interior styling for official sales launch photoshoot.
—Designed and detailed two high-profile restaurants as Interior Design Consultant for iCrave Design Studio, NYC. Played key role in successful design for Bagatelle Restaurant, which has since been widely recognized as a Meatpacking District staple and NYC institution.
Lissoni New York, New York, NY, US, Senior Project Designer and Manager
Joined prestigious, highly creative design studio by award winning architect Piero Lissoni | Partnered with CEO to lead high-profile projects
Select achievements:
—Managed all phases of interior design development/execution on 45 Park Place, New York, 43-story luxury residential tower, featuring two amenity levels and 50 residences. Project scheduling, team management, specifications/FFE coordination, construction administration. Key role during budgeting and bidding phases.
—Led team on interior concept/design development phases for One Oak, San Francisco, Iconic Snøhetta-designed 40-story residential tower. Solved complex design problems for 304 apartments and two amenity levels, including ADA/building code implementation. Primary client/consultant liaison. Jointly delivered presentations and served as Lissoni’s representative at events in San Francisco and New York.
NMM Inc., New York, NY, US, NYC Studio Director
Rapidly promoted from Senior Associate to Studio Director at NMM Inc, sister company of Lissoni Group, developing Interior Design in the US since 2006 | Orchestrated design/production workflows | Mentored staff | Edited project proposals | Participated meeting new clients
Select achievements:
—Managed all phases of interior design development/execution on 74 Leonard Street, New York, 5,000 sf sales gallery build-out, including a 1:1 replica of a tower residence. Primary client/consultant/contractor liaison. Oversaw production/installation of custom design features.
—Spearheaded interior design development/detailing phases of SLS Cancún and SLS Harbour Beach Hotel & Residences, two 24-story towers on oceanfront development NOVO Cancun in Puerto Cancún, Mexico. Key role in successful and rapid sellout before construction completion, due to design of show-stopping hotel suites, residences, lobbies, and amenity spaces.
—Jointly delivered concept/design development packages for 708 Broadway King & Grove Hotel, New York, lifestyle brand hotel conversion of 127,000 sf landmark building. Oversaw drawings/specifications production of 249 rooms facing central interior courtyard, food service spaces, and an exclusive fine dining restaurant for Michelin-starred chef Paul Liebrandt. Primary client/consultant/contractor liaison.
CCS Architecture and Interior Design, San Francisco, CA, US, Project Designer and Manager
Completed diverse award-winning/published architecture and interior design projects, including The Plant Cafe Organic, winner of the 2009 IIDA/Metropolis Smart Environments Award as one of the most sustainably designed eateries in the city, as well as a ground-up 5,800 sft Palo Alto residence, recognized with a feature in Dwell Magazine for its warm California Modernist design and its rigorous sustainability standards.
Randolph Designs, San Francisco, CA, US, Designer & Job Captain
Produced comprehensive sets of construction drawings for residences, including DJ Shadow Residence in Mill Valley, California. Tasks included 2D/3D presentation renderings and model building. Administered furniture production processes and assisted with consultant coordination/shop drawing review. Collaborated on “Vital Signs”, award-winning interactive installation at atrium of Liberty Science Center, New Jersey.
UC Berkeley CED, Berkeley, CA, US, MArch, Architecture
Concurrent enrollment in conjunction with UA
HTWK (Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig) Leipzig, Leipzig, DE, BArch, Architecture
Dipl.-Ing. Architecture - equivalent of American professional degree in Architecture