Michelle | Romanis [work]

Romanis earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Cornell University in 1999, where she was introduced to the concept of “ecological urbanism” through the work of architect‑theorist Peter Calthorpe . A pivotal moment came during a senior‑year studio project that re‑imagined the abandoned Ithaca Commons as a “green corridor” linking the downtown core to the surrounding farmland. The project won the university’s Sustainable Design Competition and caught the eye of a visiting professor from the University of Cambridge , who later invited her to pursue a Master’s degree abroad.

Since then, Romanis has overseen a portfolio of projects across , each tailored to local climatic, cultural, and economic contexts. Notable works include: michelle romanis

In 2009, armed with a growing portfolio of research‑backed projects, Romanis founded , a boutique design studio based in Brooklyn, NY. The firm’s charter was simple yet ambitious: “Design with the planet, for the people, and through the people.” Early commissions included: Romanis earned a B

Many of her published sets carried titles like "Soft Perfect Skin" or "Classic Pink Lingerie," emphasizing a specific soft-focus, feminine aesthetic popular in digital glamour media. The firm’s charter was simple yet ambitious: “Design

A recurring critique is that high‑tech sustainable solutions can be for the poorest neighborhoods. Romanis addresses this by open‑sourcing design details and partnering with NGOs to secure micro‑finance for community ownership models. Her “Pay‑As‑You‑Grow” financing scheme, piloted in Manila, allows residents to purchase incremental upgrades (e.g., solar panels) as savings accrue.

Romanis’s scholarship straddles academia and practice. Selected key publications include: