Irene Gallou

Irene is the head of the Specialist Modelling Group, the practice’s research and development unit specialising in environmental design, building physics simulation, complex and digital fabrication. Joining the practice in 2006, her role involves developing strategies to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment at all stages in the design process and leading on-site performance data collection after construction. Notable schemes for which Irene has developed project-specific environmental design solutions include the Masdar City masterplan in Abu Dhabi, the Apple headquarters in Cupertino and the Bloomberg headquarters in London.  Irene’s group at Foster + Partners acts as a technology incubator, exploring opportunities for new technologies present for social and environmental change.