Jan Balbaligo

Jan Balbaligo is an architect and a leading expert on innovative construction using bamboo and sustainable development. With a passion for merging tradition and heritage with cutting-edge design, Jan’s career spans over a decade of groundbreaking work across Latin and South America, Asia and Europe.

Jan holds three degrees from prestigious institutions: University College London (UCL), University of Westminster and London Metropolitan University. Her academic foundation is complemented by hands-on experience as a builder on site, blending rigorous research with practical application to address some of the most pressing challenges in contemporary architecture. She also holds a lectureship at the University of Westminster in Environmental Technical Studies and is a TEDx Speaker on the topic ‘Reimaging Construction’.  

Jan’s expertise in bamboo as a versatile, eco-friendly building material has been published worldwide. Her projects have ranged from schools and community buildings, to high performance installations showcasing bamboo’s potential to harmonize beauty, resilience, and environmental stewardship. She has worked for indigenous women’s communities in Latin America, supporting NGOs in Guatemala and Panama since 2015 in sectors of education and business.

Currently, Jan focuses on designing and building hospitals that embody sustainability and social responsibility, ensuring that essential spaces for care also contribute to a healthier planet. This work exemplifies her deep commitment to architecture as a tool for improving lives, fostering community, and addressing global challenges like climate change. Jan’s philosophy centres on the belief that architecture can—and must—create a better world. Whether advocating for renewable materials, teaching and mentoring young architects, or presenting at international conferences, she inspires others to reimagine what is possible in the built environment.