Founders

Marinella Patetta
Founding Partner Architect
Graduated in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in 1986 she obtains a Master in Lighting Design and after various years of experience in the field, she founds Metis with Claudio Valent in 1990. She is the soul of the studio, omnipresent and with a careful eye on everyone and everything. Her superpower is keeping track of every project, including each lighting detail until its realization in the construction site, while also handling the more extrovert activity of the studio. She has held courses of Industrial and Lighting Design both in Bachelor and Master Level either as a visiting or associate professor, while also giving speeches in various national and international conventions and lighting design workshops. She is a founding member of APIL (Italian Association of Lighting Professionals).

Claudio Valènt
Founding Partner Architect
Graduated in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in 1982 he obtains a Master in Lighting Design and after various years of experience in the field, he founds Metis with Marinella Patetta in 1990. He is the mind of the studio, and even when he is silent, in front of a design challenge he finally comes out with the most original ideas. He enjoys discovering innovative lighting fixtures, manufacturers and accessories, imagining different custom design solutions. He has held courses of Industrial and Lighting Design both in Bachelor and Master Level in Politecnico di Milano and Superior Institute of Design in Milan (ISAD). He is a founding member of APIL (Italian Association of Lighting Professionals).
Designers

Born and raised in the Philippines, Stephanie moved from the tropical islands to Milan to attend the master course in Lighting Design at Politecnico di Milano, enriching her expertise in architecture and interior design. At Metis Lighting, she primarily focuses on retail projects, contributing with meticulous attention to detail in the creation of lighting layouts, fine-tuning each intervention with precision.

Gloria Cancellieri
Gloria divides her time between crafting custom solutions for jewellery lighting and identifying the optimal ceiling cove illumination for residential projects. Though working across different scales, she maintains the same precision throughout. If you pass by her desk, you’ll invariably hear the music of Dave Matthews Band playing, a perfect blend of consistency and talent.

Daniele Cangelosi
After joining Metis Lighting and rapidly nurturing his passion for lighting, Daniele soon became a member of the BIM team. With exceptional talent for graphic visualization, he primarily works on hospitality projects, ranging from towers to high-end resorts. He maintains a keen eye on the rest of the team, always ready to uplift the mood with his positive energy.

Luca Carapezzi
Luca brings expertise to retail lighting, creating solutions for luxury jewelry, watches, fashion, as well as facade and special installations. He specializes in researching new manufacturers and cutting-edge control systems. His skills range from precise on-site light focusing to crafting captivating light installations, approaching every project with the same dedication.

A valuable member of the Metis Lighting team, Elena’s efforts are primarily centered on fashion and jewellery projects. As a curious and thorough researcher of lighting fixtures, she tests each new finding through site visits and mock-ups. Passionate about nature and outdoor activities, in her spare time you’ll find her jogging or tending to her plants.

Light captivates Alice in all its manifestations—whether cast through a sunset, captured through the lens of photography, or crafted as a design element. She approaches each lighting project with thoughtful enthusiasm and professional dedication. Beyond her work, Alice nurtures her curiosity through travel, gaming, and exploring narrative storytelling through television series.

Giulia Giampietro
Giulia is deeply involved in numerous hospitality projects. She demonstrates exceptional skill in visual representations, whether creating photorealistic renderings, capturing lighting photography, or utilizing specialized design software to communicate design intent. Her technical expertise enhances the team’s ability to visualize complex lighting concepts across diverse project requirements.

Paolo Giovane
Paolo brings solid project management skills to Metis Lighting, efficiently coordinating multiple initiatives while maintaining strategic oversight. His ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders strengthens client relationships across international markets, from Paris to Asia. Paolo’s commitment to excellence is evident in his thorough site inspections, where his deep industry knowledge and consistent attention to detail ensure the highest quality in lighting implementation.

Elias joined Metis Lighting after years of experience in UK where he worked on large-scale projects. He now focuses on high-end hospitality and retail projects that require thoughtful illumination strategies. His passion for astronomy and sustainability drives his design approach with light pollution reduction and dark sky preservation as guiding principles, creating a distinctive balance between lighting functionality and ecological responsibility.

Antonia Maiello
Antonia approaches her work at Metis Lighting with precision and intellectual curiosity, expertly managing lighting layouts planning while guiding the team’s BIM implementation. Her engineering mindset enables elegant solutions to complex problems, and though she occasionally resorts to her expressive Neapolitan dialect when facing challenges, she consistently delivers effective results.

Eugenia Marcolli
As a project manager, Eugenia oversees hospitality projects with professional expertise, combining technical lighting knowledge with an exceptional ability to interpret architectural intent, ensuring lighting solutions that enhance spatial qualities and design vision. Her dedication to quality work is complemented by her appreciation for art and theater, bringing valuable aesthetic sensibility to each project.

Sofia Mari
Sofia serves as a key member of our BIM team, bringing passion and energy to hospitality projects from initial concept through construction completion. With her characteristic vivacity, she applies her exceptional visualization skills to enhance design presentations, demonstrating particular expertise in Photoshop techniques. Her enthusiasm for lighting design is balanced by an appreciation for natural environments, where she finds inspiration in the subtle harmonies of nature’s soundscapes.

Angelo Memeo
Angelo manages a diverse portfolio, from high-end boutiques in major metropolitan centers alongside remote resorts designed to preserve dark sky conditions. As a dedicated member of the BIM team, he brings technical precision and creative insight to each project. His distinctive style—characteristically dressed in black—complements his professional approach, while his occasional sharing of culinary specialties from Southern Italy adds a welcome touch to the studio environment..

Roberta’s professional path shifted when her Milan design studies revealed her fascination with lighting. Now an established retail lighting specialist, she combines technical expertise with an artistic sensibility toward light as a creative medium. Her analytical approach is balanced by her interest in architectural discovery, particularly the intersection of built environments and natural landscapes.

Vedrana Mujezinovic
Vedrana is our BIM expert with extensive experience across numerous and diverse lighting projects. Her methodical approach ensures models are perfectly coordinated to the highest standards and with exceptional attention to detail, she keeps the team organized, anticipating issues before they arise. Outside work, Vedrana enjoys exploring new cultures and architecture worldwide, and periodically returns to her beloved Sarajevo.

Ulku Naiboglu
Ulku embodies our studio’s quiet strength, expertly managing projects from high-end retail boutiques to landscape layouts and hotel rooms. Her ability to handle demanding deadlines while maintaining positivity makes her invaluable. Complementing her professional dedication, Ulku’s eclectic taste leads her to explore concerts ranging from classical compositions to metal performances.

Marco brings methodical precision and attention to detail to the Metis LAB team. His boundless curiosity drives him to explore diverse areas from retail to hospitality while developing expertise in lighting techniques and AI applications. This spirit of discovery extends to his hiking adventures, approaching terrain with the same thoughtful analysis he applies to lighting design.

Paulette Paulino
Born in Santo Domingo, Paulette evolved from interior design to lighting specialization, inspired since childhood by natural light phenomena. She works on high-end fashion retail projects while aspiring toward hospitality and residential design for a more intimate, personal approach. Beyond the studio, she finds balance in nature, exploring hidden urban corners and occasionally writing.

Gherardo Rosato Rossi
Gherardo divides his time between design work and hands-on activities in our Metis Lab, where he builds mockups and conducts lighting tests. Specializing in retail projects, he regularly travels for on-site light focusing, bringing designs to life with precision. Complementing his technical expertise, Gherardo’s passion for exploration extends to cycling adventures, where he discovers new perspectives beyond the studio.

Martino Scalabrino
Martino joined the team after meeting Prof. Patetta during a Lighting Design Course. Whether in the studio developing innovative product solutions or traveling internationally to precisely adjust lighting installations, Martino approaches every challenge with unwavering positivity and dedication. His versatile skills and consistently cheerful disposition make him an essential presence in our studio.

Giuseppe Scuderi
Giuseppe, professionally known as Beppe, specializes in high-end retail lighting, ensuring perfect implementation of design vision in luxury boutiques worldwide. An avid collector of lighting samples and mockups, his passion translates into exceptional precision in fixture selection. Complementing his expertise, Beppe expresses his creative spirit through photography and music, bringing an artistic sensibility to his professional work.

Daniela Tava
Daniela, Metis Lab lead, is recognized for her educational abilities, precision, and dedication. With exceptional attention to detail, for 15 years she has managed diverse retail projects of varying scales. Her rare and precious knowledge is essential for tackling daily challenges and supporting every studio member. Beyond lighting projects, Daniela loves mountains, their fresh air and open spaces.

Francesca Tognon
After moving from Venice to Milan to join Metis Lighting, Francesca finds herself thrilled with her decision. Dedicated mainly to hospitaliyy and residential projects, she enthusiastically embraces and develops the Metis methodology while enriching her creative perspective through art exhibitions and installations throughout the city. Milan proves to be an excellent professional and cultural fit for her passion for design.
Administration and Consultants

Alessia Luciani
Alessia represents a valuable addition to Metis Lighting, bringing strategic vision and human-centered approach to our talent management. She oversees recruitment processes, professional development, and team dynamics while fostering a collaborative studio culture. Beyond her professional expertise, Alessia shares her home with a lovable plump ginger cat and nurtures her passion for travel, exploring diverse cultures that enrich her inclusive perspective on workplace relationships.

Eva expertly contributes to the organization of our administrative office while maintaining passion for the studio’s creative work. She explores Milan’s urban landscape and visits new Metis Lighting projects with genuine interest. She has a great passion for reading, especially romance, and other cultural activities.

Elena Buda
Elena embodies the memory of Metis Lighting, having been with the studio almost since its beginning. Evolving from her career as a lighting designer, she now expertly guides the team while managing contracts and negotiations to ensure every project meets the highest standards. Her comprehensive knowledge extends beyond professional matters to Milanese culture, cuisine and hidden gems throughout the city, making her an indispensable resource for both clients and colleagues alike.

Milanese designer, Maria directs the studio’s communication and identity, skillfully managing Metis Lighting’s public presence. She oversees publications, presentations, photoshoots and media interactions, ensuring the studio’s exceptional work receives accurate recognition. Her strategic approach amplifies the design philosophy while maintaining the integrity of Metis Lighting’s creative vision across all channels.

Michele Tavazzani
Michele, our IT expert, diligently maintains all studio hardware and software systems while providing essential cybersecurity guidance. He stays current with emerging technologies and efficiently resolves technical challenges with a consistently positive approach. His ability to troubleshoot complex issues while maintaining composure makes him an invaluable resource for the entire team.

Rosetta Virtù
Rosetta, one of Metis Lighting’s founding members, carries the studio’s history while managing administration and guiding the team. Her knowledge spans from operational solutions to cultural insights, making her a valuable advisor who enriches both professional decisions and personal interests.