Chiara has over 25 years of experience, having worked in the architectural and heritage field since 1998. She has a BA in Fine Art and joined Citydesigner’s senior team in 2006.

As Principal Researcher specialised in schemes involving historic fabric and settings, her expertise includes advising on a site’s heritage sensitivity; analysing the significance of designated and non-designated assets and identifying key elements of their setting; assessing the impact of proposals; overseeing research strategies and training of new team members; and focusing on the more complex heritage investigations.

Her extensive and varied research, study and training has led to a sound understanding of architectural history and its periods. This, combined with an interest in British history generally and of London history specifically, guides her to establish criteria to assess townscapes, character areas and built fabric ranging in age and context.

She specialises in the writing of evidence-based reports, presenting findings and analysis in a detailed but concise and well-illustrated form, including: heritage statements; heritage, townscape, and visual impact assessments (HTVIA), contributions to environmental statements (ES); applications for Certificates of Immunity from Listing; and advice on Listed Building Consent applications; advice on the listability of historic buildings; and heritage partnership agreements between the owners of listed buildings, the local authority and Historic England.

Her work includes an extensive range of prominent projects throughout London, the UK and in Ireland. Highlights include the refurbishment and extension of the Grade I Holburne Museum in Bath, within a conservation area and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Eric Parry Architects; the extension of the Grade II* listed modernist private home on Old Church Street in Chelsea with APT; the Grade II Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone with David Archer; the Grade II listed Harcourt House mansion blocks on Cavendish Square with Darling Associates; and the refurbishment to boutique hotel of listed commercial premises in Chester adjacent to the Walls of the City schedule monument with Buttress Architects. In depth research of historic sites range from the medieval Church of St Katherine by the Tower of London; to bating rings and theatre locations at Bear Gardens in Southwark; Inns of Court at Temple; historic waterscapes within The Isle of Dogs; the canal system of Birmingham; and portions of the Georgian development of Dublin.