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 all-female composition of the team wasn’t an initial choice, but the result of a natural evolution.
“It came together over time and has become a true strength,” Selina explains. “The team is incredibly close-knit, and each of us cares deeply about the quality of our projects. I don’t think Nomade would function any less well if there were men on the team, but it’s undeniable that being women gives us a very specific and recognizable character.”
A shared leadership built on leading by example
Nomade Architettura’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that inclusion is a daily practice shaped by respect and attentive listening. There isn’t a single model of leadership, but rather an approach grounded in leading by example. Frequent meetings, constant dialogue, and freedom of expression allow every team member to feel like an active part of a collective project. As Selina highlights:
“You can’t ask something of others if you don’t do it yourself first — inspiring means putting into practice 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 doesn’t wait to find space — it creates it. A brand that grows because it is recognizable, cohesive, and authentic. A place where leadership and design are rooted in listening, trust, and freedom.
For Selina Bertola, founder of Nomade Architettura, inclusion is something tangible and part of everyday life.
“Inclusion, to me, means giving space to those who have the hardest time finding it.”
It means creating an environment where every person is valued, heard, and part of a whole. But it also means designing homes, spaces, and relationships that reflect who people truly are — turning the concept of inclusion into a real force for design.
In an industry still largely male-dominated, such as architecture and interior design, Selina has built a model of leadership that is gentle, determined, and inclusive. Without statements or fanfare — simply through consistency and care — her studio has become a concrete example of how it’s possible to grow without sacrificing attention to people. When inclusion is real, it becomes a lever for brand, culture, and reputation: it attracts those 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 recognition — turning every project into a unique experience, both for those who create it and for those who live it.
Designing Spaces That Include
Inclusion doesn’t stop within the internal organization — it is at the heart of how they work with clients. Every project begins with a deep listening to the place, its history, and its energy. Whether it’s a private villa or an international project, the goal is to enhance the unique natural and cultural elements that define it.
“Interior architecture is a dialogue between past and present, between the environment and the people who will inhabit it,”
Overcoming the Challenges of a Male-Dominated Industry
Selina doesn’t hide the difficulties of working in a sector still largely dominated by men.
“Every now and then someone exclaims, ‘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’s harder for a woman to assert her ideas — especially during the period when you become a mother.”
She faced these challenges firsthand while building her studio and raising her two children. Her experience is an invitation not to give up:
“Si può fare, serve determinazione e la volontà di dimostrare il proprio valore.”
Learning from Mistakes, Acting with Responsibility
Among the most formative moments, Selina recalls having approached delicate topics too lightly in the past.
“I realized that on important issues you need preparation and a foundation in facts.”
From this comes her awareness that inclusion requires responsibility: creating opportunities for those who struggle most to find them, recognizing privilege, and acting to rebalance it.
Nomade: One Name, Two Souls
The studio’s name embodies its philosophy. “Nomade” reflects both an itinerant, international spirit — today, more than half of their projects are outside Italy — and a promise of all that is still to be discovered. A name designed to be understood anywhere and by anyone, because it aims to be universal.
Sustainability and Small Daily Revolutions
For Selina, sustainability isn’t only about design choices (materials, techniques) but also about the small details that improve everyday life for everyone — from accessible spaces to the presence of changing tables and hooks for bags in public restrooms.
“These small considerations truly change people’s daily experience.”
The Legacy of an Inclusive Model
The story of Selina Bertola and Nomade Architettura, shared with us during our Inclusion Talks, shows that inclusion is a way of working and designing that leaves a tangible mark. It proves that creating spaces — both physical and professional — that are open and respectful means building the future.
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