What happens when an architecture firm is made up entirely of women?
In the case of Nomade Architettura, founded in Milan by Selina Bertola, inclusion stops being an abstract idea and becomes a daily practice.
In fifteen years, the studio has grown into a reference point, with a team of twenty-five professionals who not only design spaces but also inspire a new way of doing architecture.
“Inclusion, for me, is everyday life: living well, respect, listening, cohesion.”
A Clear Vision: Putting Human Beings at the Center
When Selina founded Nomade Architettura, there was no written manifesto — but a very clear vision: placing people at the heart of every project.
Not only clients, but also the women who work with her.
“I’m proud to see that many of the people who were with me at the beginning are still here today.”
Success, in this case, comes from the ability to listen and to translate needs into concrete realities — with a contemporary approach and an open dialogue.
An All-Female Team: An Unexpected Strength
The firm’s all-female composition wasn’t an initial choice, but something that emerged naturally.
“It formed over time and became a real strength,” says Selina.
“The team is truly cohesive, and each of us deeply cares about the quality of our projects. I don’t think Nomade would work less well if there were men, but it’s undeniable that being women gives us a very specific and recognisable character.”
Leadership by Example
Nomade Architettura’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that inclusion is a daily practice shaped by respect and listening.
There isn’t a single leadership style — but an approach based on leading by example.
Frequent meetings, open discussion and freedom of expression allow every team member to feel part of a shared project. As Selina says:
“You can’t ask something of others if you don’t do it first yourself: to inspire means to embody what you believe in.”
The Strategic Value of Internal Cohesion
What happens when an architecture studio is made up entirely of women?
A model emerges that does not wait for space — it creates it.
A brand that grows because it is recognisable, cohesive and authentic.
A place where leadership and design are built on listening, trust and freedom.
For Selina Bertola, founder of Nomade Architettura, inclusion is tangible and lived.
“Inclusion, for me, means giving space to those who struggle the most to find it.”
It means creating an environment where each person is valued, heard and part of a whole.
But it also means designing homes, spaces and relationships that reflect who people are — turning inclusion into a real design strength.
In a sector still largely male-dominated, Selina has built a model of leadership that is gentle, determined and inclusive.
No slogans — just coherence and care.
Her studio is now a concrete example of how one can grow without sacrificing wellbeing.
When inclusion is real, it becomes a lever for brand, culture and reputation: it attracts people who seek meaning and value, not just a job.
This is where the true potential of inclusion emerges: as a strategic element capable of generating innovation, internal cohesion and external recognisability, turning every project into a unique experience — for those who design it and for those who will inhabit it.
Designing Spaces That Include
Inclusion does not stop at internal organisation — it is the core of Nomade’s work with clients.
Every project begins with deep listening to the place, its history and its energy.
Whether designing a villa or leading an international project, the goal remains the same: enhance natural and cultural elements in a unique way.
“Interior architecture is a dialogue between past and present, between a place and the people who will live in it,” Selina explains.
Overcoming the Challenges of a Male-Dominated Sector
Selina does not hide the challenges of working in an industry still dominated by men.
“Sometimes people exclaim: ‘Oh, it’s an all-female studio!’ I always laugh, because no one ever says the same when walking into an all-male one. On construction sites, it can be harder for women to assert their ideas — especially during motherhood.”
She faced these challenges firsthand while building her firm and raising her two children.
Her message is clear:
“It can be done — it requires determination and the desire to prove your worth.”
Learning from Mistakes, Acting Responsibly
Among the most formative moments, Selina recalls addressing delicate topics too lightly in the past:
“I realised that on important issues you need preparation, and facts.”
From here came her belief that inclusion requires responsibility:
creating opportunities for those who struggle to find them, recognising privilege and working to rebalance it.
Nomade: One Name, Two Souls
The name encapsulates the studio’s philosophy.
“Nomade” stands for an itinerant, international spirit — today more than half of its projects are abroad — and for the promise of everything still to be discovered.
A name designed to be understood anywhere, by anyone — because it aims to be transversal.
Sustainability and the Power of Small Daily Revolutions
For Selina, sustainability is not only about materials and techniques, but also about the small details that improve everyday life:
from accessible spaces to baby-changing units or bag hooks in public restrooms.
“Small attentions that truly change people’s daily experience.”
The Legacy of an Inclusive Model
The story of Selina Bertola and Nomade Architettura, shared with us in our Inclusion Talks, demonstrates that inclusion is a way of working — and designing — that leaves a real mark.
It shows that creating open and respectful environments, both physical and professional, means building the future.
About Innovamey
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Innovamey turns sustainability into a concrete engine of growth, supporting companies in designing sustainable strategies, transforming business models and communicating impact. We innovate products and services by placing sustainability at the centre, developing solutions that combine progress, responsibility and competitiveness.
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