• Testimonials

    Nini Andrade Silva

    Atelier Nini Andrade Silva, President & Founder, Special Guest GIS Budapest 2016 edition

    GIS International Interior Architecture and Design Expo Conference is the right place to meet architecture and design community to celebrate learn, exchange and be inspired! At GIS we have very interesting talks about architecture and Interior Design and start to see where we’re going to be in the future. It’s that dialogue face to face, with people that are doing amazing things that makes GIS one of the most important events that happens in architecture each year. GIS is part of my heart since the Bucharest’s edition and I really believe that this amazing experience in Budapest will blow your mind.

    Anja Dirks

    President of ECIA – The European Council of Interior Architects, Guest of Honour Budapest 2016 edition

    At GIS Budapest I will talk about my experience and belief in the existence of ECIA, the history and future of the organization and the benefits for the profession of having such an organization. Included in the lecture is her vision on the field of interior architecture and what it can mean for the society. With a head up for the future.ECIA is very interested and willing to learn more about the profession and the organizations in Eastern Europe. And to have in that perspective a more intensive relation. Therefore it would be great to meet during and after the lecture some organizations and professionals.

    Ferenc MAKOVÉNYI

    Member of the Board of the Chamber of Hungarian Architects

    The Chamber of Hungarian Architects is glad that the international expo conferences are here in our city, that GIS International Interior Architecture and Interior Design Expo Conference will be organized in Budapest.

    In 2015 we have started the cooperation for INGLASS, that was the highest professional gathering for architects dealing with material glass. We support all professional education and conference which are in favor of our members. This conferences are an opportunity for every registered architect.

    Arch. Șerban Țigănaș

    President of the Order of Architects of Romania, Guest of Honour GIS Budapest 2016 edition

    At GIS Bucharest we have two full days of the conference,it seemed like the time expands due to the consistency of the intelligence and parallel activities. It is a genuine marathon. I am very glad to attend GIS Budapest 2016 edition and happy to meet the architects from this community and share ideas.

    Arch. Ryszard Gruda

    President the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland (IARP)

    The GIS conference is a valuable conference through the selection of its speakers. In Poland the conference was organized on 22-23rd February 2016 under the Honorary Patronage of the Chamber of Polish Architects. Rarely do we have such collaborations because we have our own rules, our own regulations. We do not support all the architecture meetings. We carefully select the events which will be under our patronage. For us, architects, GIS represents a very important meeting and what pleasantly surprised me was the fact that the young generations of architects are interested in this kind of event. I recommend this event to architects.

    Arch. Makoto Nakayama

    Nakayama Architects, Japan

    I think the GIS conference is very interesting because it allows you to know each kind of thinking. We don’t need to make something universal, every architect must be very individual and it’s very important to know each other.

    Colin Ball

    BDP- Building Design Partnership Ltd

    I think that it is important for international architects and designers to come together on a platform like GIS. We’re all facing the same issues but the issues are slightly different and the more we communicate, the more we’re able to keep quality going everywhere that we’re working. Also, different disciplines need to speak more because we don’t necessarily understand what’s happening in each others industry and again, the more we communicate the better we’re all informed, really.

    I’m a central member of the International Association Lighting Designers which are headquartered in Chicago and we keep a very close eye on independent lighting design. We keep lists and we monitor what’s happening in each country. If there’s no independent lighting designers the lighting design is being done by manufacturers and at the end of the day we wonder, for example, why are there so many light fittings in this ceiling? Because they’re selling products.

    Arch. Rosa Clotet

    Llongueras Clotet Architects, Spain

    GIS conference and the talks about architecture and interior design are very interesting because you can share knowledge between different countries and different ways of projecting architecture. This is without a doubt a benefit for us architects and for our work. For me, the experience of attending GIS Krakow was very useful for my work to see very different kind of projects from lighting projects to big projects to small and sensitive projects. I look forward to the next GIS event that is organized in Budapest.

    Dani Rubio Arauna

    Graphic Designer / Art Director, Rai Pinto / Dani Rubio Arauna ,BARCELONA, SPAIN

    The environmental design project for Sant Joan de Déu Children’s Hospital in Barcelona is the last layer of the architectural renovation of this center. The project has been designed to coexist with the preexisting architecture throughout animals hidden in the forms of the building. Its main achievement is making a space confortable and kind for children, but also, becoming a fully recognizable visual identity for this space. This project passes through the limits of disciplines and gathers environmental graphics, interior design, wayfinding and industrial design in order to generate a unique visual system.

    Rainer Mahlamäki

    Professor, Architect M.Sc., Architects Lahdelma & Mahlamäki, Special Guest GIS Bucharest 2016 edition

    I have a great pleasure to meet my dear Romanian colleagues. For me this it is the very first time to be in Bucharest. My speech will cover architecture generally but especially interiors and how traditional and touchable materials create the atmosphere. I come from Finland, from a northern country that is known of its reputation of Alvar Aalto, of Nordic functionalism and of pure, mythic nature. I will concentrate especially on the buildings and interiors which are dominated by materials like the Finnish Nature Centre, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Finnish Nature Centre and the Embassy of Finland to Japan among the others. I hope my message will reach my listener to think how much we architects could still learn about the tradition of natural materials – and more widely: understanding and honoring of the tradition creates the base for the creative and innovative architecture.

    Jan Geysen, Vice President

    ECIA – European Council of Interior Architects, Belgium, Guest of Honour GIS Bucharest 2016 edition

    At GIS Bucharest 2016 edition I will talk about my experience and belief in the existence of ECIA, by looking back in the past and looking forward into the future of ECIA. My presence at GIS with this lecture is part of the search of ECIA to get a better connection with Eastern Europe. ECIA is a European platform to reprezent and promote the qualified promotion of interior architects and designers. ECIA currently represent 16 members- național organizations, with over 7.500 practicing Interior Architects.

    Arh. Nicholas Galabov

    Vice President Chamber of architects in Bulgaria

    The climate of our planet is changing because of the unsustainable models of development in the last decades. Because of the inadequate quality of the designs. This is mainly due on the detrimental effects of the “low-cost” model of procurement. The twisted way of competing, reducing significantly the quality of designs. Statistically we spend 90% of our lives in the buildings interior. We shape them, and then they shape us for decades. They shape the air we breathe, the amount of sunlight we enjoy, the number of inspirations in our daily lives.

    We all need new vision, new designs, and a new low-carbon holistic design approach. Responsible, sustainable interiors are the only way to support the wellbeing of citizens, to protect the environment. The new thinking starts with each interior, each building, each street…! At GIS Bucharest I will present some Bulgarian interior architecture projects that have drawn attention in the last years.

    Neil Knowles

    Director Elektra Lighting® Design, London

    We are delighted to be part of the influential and informational GIS conference in Bucharest. We are lighting design specialists and are sharing our expertise, gained the hard way on over 600 projects, with the professional design community of Romania. Although we have not yet worked in Romania, we are looking forward to developing new links and networking at this top event.

    Arch. Tachapol Danaboonchai

    Kypothesis Design Agency, Thailand, Keynote Speaker GIS Bucharest 2016 edition, Winner INSIDE World Festival of Interiors – Bars & Restaurants

    Urban development in Bangkok during the past few decades has been mostly within the tradition of erasure: so many beautiful buildings get torn down and replaced by new ones. In contrast to this trend, we do value history. And we believe in the values and characters of most existing spaces. Many projects that we do start with an existing structure. We find ourselves oftentimes like an archaeologist and a curator – inspecting the existing and try to find what to keep, what features to highlight, as well as how to create new interventions to best fit the found context.
    In the lecture at GIS Bucharest 2016 edition we will demonstrate the firm’s novel technique of adaptive reuse as a strategy to preserve the project’s contextual history as well as to create dialectics between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’.

    Arch. Cédric Ramière

    Partner associate Coco Architecture, France

    I am for the very first time in Romania and I am happy to give a lecture at GIS Bucharest. CoCo architecture imagines new methods of practicing architecture through ambitious and varied projects both in scale and complexity. We aim to be a catalyst for social change, putting environmental and lifestyle values at the heart of human endeavor. To achieve this, the CoCo architecture team focuses on thoughtful architecture which respects nature and energy consumption, and reflects local thinking and traditional attitudes as well as modern approaches. Our office today has experience in a variety of areas: teaching, housing, logistics and commerce, cultural and medical institutes, and operates in France as well as other regions around the world, most notably in many tropical areas.

    Stan Boshouwers

    Founding partner, Tinker Imagineers, The Netherlands

    „I believe hospitals should have a heart, or even better a soul. A save, pleasant and activating environment accomodates patients and helps them to relax. I see the interest for this kind of ‘experience design architecture’ rising, which is reflected in a growing portfolio of innovative projects. Even beter it would be if would become common for hospital to be friendly spaces, not only clinical but also inspirational.

    Arch. Șerban Țigănaș,

    President of the Order of Architects of Romania, Chairman of GIS International Architecture and Interior Design Expo Conference

    There were two full days, in which it seemed like the time has expanded due to the consistency of the intelligence and parallel activities. It was a genuine marathon. Without doubt, the main marathoner was architect Hagy Belzberg, who, after fleeing from Los Angeles to come here, he managed to excite with his masterclasses, in which he revealed the secrets of how digital fabrication can be integrated with existing design practices to improve the productivity and efficiency of construction and manufacturing, secrets that are deeply human. I learned from him a conclusion drawn from a paper: “if you have beautiful stairs you will never use the elevator”.

    Arch. Hagy Belzberg Faia

    Principal Hagy Belzberg Architects, U.S., Special Guest GIS International Expo Conference 2015

    The series of GIS events was extraordinary, with an incredible number of very very interesting people, architects, interior designers. The event has allowed me to meet new people and has offered me the opportunity to meet people that I normally wouldn’t have had the chance to meet and network with, this is what I think it is really important. In Los Angeles we have a really rare opportunity to do this and as it is so far away, allowing me to come to this was absolutely extraordinary, this is something I wouldn’t have been able to do without the organization of PRO Event Association, with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest. I found the event to be fantastic and since my return to Los Angeles I have been telling everybody about it and I really recommend to other architects from the United States of America to participate in the future events you will be organizing.

    Arch. Fokke Moerel


    Project Manager MVRDV, The Netherlands, Keynote Speaker GIS International Expo Conference 2015

    It is always great when a lot of people from different countries meet, GIS gave us the great opportunity to have inside-outside debates & presentations. It is always nice to meet people and I am glad I have participated at this expo conference.

    Arch. Zeynep Esra Akten

    Design Coordinator at AUTOBAN, Turkey, Speaker GIS International Expo Conference 2015

    It was great that I was part of this great influential and inspirational talks, the most exciting part was that there were designers all over the world and what was really nice is that, whatever the country was they were coming from, they all came to a single conclusion. I once more came to the idea that design is an international language and I am very hopeful about the future now.

    Prof. Dr. Arh. Marius Marcu Lapadat

    Dean, Faculty of Interior Architecture, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest

    GIS is absolutely one of the most important expo conference in Romania for the branch of architects, through the quality of the speakers and having in consideration the environment in which the event takes place. It is a great opportunity to make new contacts, to share ideas, to have contact with personalities that are to the top of the pyramid of success, at present, in the world architecture.

    Arch. Diogo Aguiar

    Founder LIKE Architects, Portugal

    It was very stimulating to engage with other architects and to learn what they have been doing, I think this type of events enhance possible future collaborations between the different studios, generating global multifunctional teams.

    Arch. Cristian Santandreu Utermark

    Founder Architect at A2arquitectos, Spain

    This event is a fantastic experience beause it’s a very good congress to meet a lot of people, a lot of architects, interior designers and connect entreprises. It is fantastic to know that the point of architecture is here in Romania and in a lot of countries.

    Arch. Antonio Virga

    Founder Antonio Virga Architecte, France

    It’s the first time when I’m invited to a conference and it is very interesting for me to talk about my projects, outside of my country, that is France. I don’t know if exists the same type of conference in France so it is very interesting to meet people from other countries and talk about our passion and that is architecture.

    Arch. Ian Macready

    Founding director VW+BS, London, Great Britain

    It’s bean great to be here, in Bucharest, It’s a hole new crowd for us, we’ve never done any work in Romania and it’s good to meet different architects, and of course then it’s great to meet with other European colleagues and from USA, who’ve been here as well and to exchange opinions and views with them.

    Colin Lovering

    Commercial Director, COS

    I think it’s very important that we were able to gather a lot of talented young architects here in one place, because if you look to the future, they are the future. Architecture is changing quite dramatically so to speak to somebody who’s an architect from 20 year ago to an architect from today is two completely concepts and ideas. So for me that’s one of the main reasons for wanting to be here today is to touch base with those young people.

    Arch. Francesco Isidori

    Founder Labics, Italy

    I think it’s quite interesting. I’ve participate to good discussions and I really look forward to see the other presentations. Again, I think it’s very interesting and well organized.

    Arch. Monica Lotreanu

    editor-in-chief for the magazine “Arhitectura”, Romania

    As usual, it was a well-organized event, with a high number of participants, and for these days to gather such a high number of architects it’s not easy at all. I have participated as the editor-in-chief at the Arhitectura magazine, which was the main media partner of the event and we are especially honored of this partnership. We are thrilled that our new number, the first magazine of 2015 has being released at GIS. It is the first time anyone can see it.
    I am really impressed with the presentations that were in the program, especially with Hagy Belzberg’s presentation and Master Class, and, as usual Serban Sturdza’s presentation was a real source of inspiration for me, well visually presented and with very deep meanings.

    Bogdan Bălan

    Romania

    Despite of the bad weather, the event succeeded in engaging the audience and as well, we, Saint-Goban Rigips, were happy to collaborate with the invited architects.

    Eng. Veronica Sterian

    Managing Coordinator of the Technical Department for Refrigeration Design, DAAS International Group, Romania

    We would like to thank you for the invitation and for the support during the organization of the GIS&CONTRACTOR events.
    Not only I enjoyed the organization of the event, but also the guests and the topics discussed.
    As an experienced engineer in the domain of heating and refrigeration, I participated at CONTRACTOR conferences.
    However, I regret not being able to participate also at the architect’s presentations, which were held concomitantly and which topics represented as well an interest for my professional career.

    Demetrius Tanase

    Industrial designer, Electromagnetica, Romania

    I find this event really interesting, a lot of designers are present and I think it is really impressive that this conference promotes also architectural designers. There should be invited even more designers, because we are a common area of expertise, and more product designers as well. From what I have seen, I am the only speaker who is a product designer, there aren’t others, and this as a sponsor to promote electromagnetics. I would like all the artists from this area (architects, interior designers, even product designers) to be invited to GIS conference, not only architects. This is for the first time I have attended this conference, because last year, a colleague of mine participated.

    Arch. Andrei Lefter

    Lef Proiect, Romania

    It’s an auspicious event, a very important event for architects, a way of acknowledging the nowadays market, but also the projects and the complexity this job has to offer.

    Eng. Alexandra Stoica

    Executive Director, DAS ENGINEERING GRUP, Romania

    I would like to thank Abplus Events for the way they organized this conference. I had the pleasure and joy to discover that we develop from year to year. Besides the practical presentation of installations, this year we could also see presentations on the certification of green systems, innovative solutions from equipment suppliers, innovative Daikin solutions for increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, beautiful projects as Enzo Ferrari.
    Overall I must say that I have the confidence that we grow from year to year, which is pleasing and appropriate for this type of conferences.

    Arch. Marius Miclaus

    ARCHAEUS, Romania

    First of all, I am pleasant surprised of the organization, the event is well prepared. I consider this conference a success even from the first day due to the netting of architectural and ambiental presentations, interior design and sponsors’ presentations. I believe that this type of partnership can work.

    Arch. Andrada Bucur

    AB Creative Studio, Brasov, Romania

    First of all, thank you for the invitation. In my view, the event was well thought out and put together, all the architects were accurately grateful and I think it is an important chance to make relationships between other people from this area.

    Dr. Eng. Catalin Popovici

    General Manager, CLIMA THERM CENTER, Romania

    As usual, first of all, congratulations! In one’s capacity as a resident of Iasi, I am proud that someone from my city was able to gather the whole country in the same place and I am looking forward to the whole Europe.
    It is a moment when we find high-quality presentations of solutions, of installations, what we know to do best. And as my colleagues say: „We learn. We innovate. We practice”, because ultimately this is the purpose of these meetings; to signify our opinions, to embrace new solutions and ideas.
    I will always be present here, with pleasure, and I hope with professionalism, so we can all have a saying in this whole assembly.

    Arch. Vladimir Mândru

    Founder of YELLOW OFFICE, Romania

    It was a really good event, with a lot of interesting people and high-quality conferences. I hope we will meet again next year.

    Arch. Adrian Cancer

    Founder of Square One Studio, Romania

    I am honored to participate at this conference. It is really impressive and well organized. Until now, I’ve heard interesting facts and I am looking forward to seeing what the other speakers have to say. It’s extraordinary and I wish there would be more events like this for us to have the chance to meet more often.

    Engr. Dan Costea

    Technical advisor in the Windows Solution Department –Rehau Polymer, Romania

    First of all, we thank you for the organization and I consider this event beneficial. I represent the firms in the domain of windows, door, PVC profiles and I believe it’s a chance for us to crisscross with architects, designers, whom I believe we all need in the area of constructions. Otherwise, I can only wish you good luck and revival of the construction industry.