Carlo Castelli is an architect and masterplanner. He studied architecture in Genoa, Italy where he completed a master’s Degree in architecture with distinction in 1999. Based in London since 2003, in 2011 he completed a Master in ‘City Design and Social Science’ at the London School of Economics and Social Science, to build upon his design experience and expand his knowledge on other disciplines particularly form a social and economic point of view, exploring research and applied inter-disciplinary methodologies on urban issues.
Through 20 years’ experience on diverse urban contexts and complex buildings, Carlo has acquired a great understanding of how the various urban systems and processes shape the urban environment. He is accustomed to integrated, inter-disciplinary design development at various scales, managing interfaces, coordination and brief interpretation towards the creation of successful urban environments, with real added value for the various stakeholders.
Carlo joined Jacobs in 2018 as Head of Urban Design at Jacobs Cities, his role evolved to Head of Cities Solutions to capture the integrated approach across disciplines that characterises the projects he is involved with and his ability to lead integrated teams.
Prior to joining Jacobs, Carlo was a director in the Design, Planning and Economics practice at AECOM and a senior architect in renowned practices such as Arup Associates and Wilkinson Eyre Architects (WEA). His experience as an architect spans across sectors and includes important contributions to the design process and delivery of internationally renowned buildings within urban development projects such as the Tennis Centre and International Broadcasting Centre for Rio Olympics 2016 (with AECOM) and the 437 high West Tower in Guangzhou, China (with WEA).
Building on his design and architectural background, his focus has been in the last 10 years on urban and regional projects as one of the directors of the AECOM Strategic Planning and Design group. He was the team leader of major inter-disciplinary urban projects internationally and at various scales, with issues and approaches often related to economic development, transport-oriented development and with a specific expertise on airport city development.
Recent projects include the Meridian Water urban regeneration project in London, the City Centre Transformation Plan for Edinburgh in Scotland, a renewed integrated vision for a major private development in Milan, the winning submission by Lendlease for the redevelopment of the Milan Expo area into a Science and Technology Park and a Concept Masterplan for KKIA Airport City in Riyadh.
As Head of Cities Solutions for UK and Europe, Carlo leads the team of masterplanners and urban designers that delivers exemplary projects in the UK and internationally along with colleagues from Jacobs’ multi-disciplinary platform. His role implies thought leadership and participation to the current debate on urban issues, leveraging his excellent oral and written communication skills, with the objective to promote integrated approach and stakeholder engagement as critical elements to tackle the challenges we are facing, identify opportunities and deliver better cities for all.