Alexandra Virlan
Biography
ABOUT
Alexandra Virlan, based in Amsterdam, NL, is currently a Senior Associate at UNS where she contributed widely to more than 25 projects in 14 countries. From this extensive experience she brings a unique design perspective from varies scale and typologies, including cultural, high-end residential, mixed-use, office and masterplan in many different phases of development – from competition to design development and construction supervision. Among others, first UNStudio’s high rise in Brazil, the cultural cinematographic center in Paris, re imagining the future of urban living in Van B and Australia’s tallest high rise. She was born and raised in Romania, educated in Germany where she completed her MAster of Architecture at Dessau International Architecture Graduate School (DIA) in Algorithmic Experimentation Laboratory – Studio X – Prof. Christos Passas / Zaha Hadid Architects. Before joining UNS in 2014, she had different roles at Jangled Nerves and J.MAYER.H in Germany. Leading the development of her projects, Alexandra has a strong focus on innovation and placemaking with high ambitions on social and environmental sustainability. In her role she manages her team and sets the design direction while being in close collaboration with the client and consultants to achieve design excellence.
AWARDS
MIPIM Awards, Best Workplace Experience, 2025 Premio Master Imobiliario, Residential Development category, 2024 DGNB German Sustainable Building Council, Diamond Award, 2023
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFICE
We’ve always dared to venture into the unknown in the pursuit of answering the bigger questions. This quest has led us to challenge conventions, explore advanced technologies, and continuously push creative boundaries to address real-world challenges. It’s within these creative frictions that UNS thrives.
AWARDS OF THE OFFICE
MIPIM Awards, Best Workplace Experience, 2025 Premio Master Imobiliario, Residential Development category, 2024 DGNB German Sustainable Building Council, Diamond Award, 2023
PROJECTS TO BE PRESENTED DURING THE EVENT
Project #1: Van B
Project #1 Category: Housing (Not for single use)
Start year: 2019
End year: 2024
UNS’ Van B Residences in Munich introduce a bold new vision for urban living, combining flexibility, sustainability and community into one. Located near the Creative Quarter and Olympiapark, the project offers 142 apartments, flats, and penthouses, ranging from 33 m2 to 168 m2, alongside shared facilities and outdoor spaces that blur the boundaries between inside and outside.
Project #2: ECHO, TU Delft
Project #2 Category: Education
End year: 2022
UNS’ Echo building at TU Delft sets a new benchmark for sustainable, flexible, and health-focused educational spaces.
Project #3: P.C. HOOFTSTRAAT
UNS’ designs for The Looking Glass and The Brick Pixelation on Amsterdam’s prestigious P.C. Hooftstraat redefine the relationship between fashion, craftsmanship, and architecture.