Umbrellium is a design and build studio dedicated to transforming urban environments and getting communities meaningfully involved.
We work with ambitious cities and organisations round the world to create everything from spectacular interactive architecture and participatory platforms to dynamic streetscapes and urban technology infrastructure. Our mission in the coming years is to respond tactically to the climate crisis by reinforcing connections between human, natural and urban systems.
Founded by Usman Haque in 2007, Umbrellium has years of proven experience in creating award-winning interactive urban environments, community platforms & engaging public spaces, having spun-out three urbantech and IoT companies – Pachube (2008, acquired 2011), Thingful.net (2014) & Starling Technologies (2020).
Some of our acclaimed work includes:
- Starling Crossing - Finalist in the World Smart Cities Awards 2018
- Another Life – 2012 LUX Urban Lighting Award, 2013 Urban Design Group - Best Project for the Public Sector (led by Gillespies)
- Pachube.com – the world's largest open IoT data platform when it was acquired by LogMeIn Inc in 2011, now part of Google Cloud
- The Burble – Design of the Year Award (Interactive) in 2008
Core Team
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Usman Haque
Trained as an architect designing both physical environments & software infrastructure, Usman creates interactive systems & mass-participation platforms. Author of dozens of articles on cities, participation & the internet of things, he is a recipient of Japan Media Arts Festival's Excellence Prize, Asia Digital Art Award's Grand Prize & the Design Museum's Design of the Year Award (Interactive).
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Ling Tan
Featured in the Top 100 Women in Wearable and Consumer Tech, Ling leads Umbrellium’s work on wearables and air quality. A frequent panellist on urban technology issues, she is an experienced designer, maker and software developer originally trained as an architect, and specialises in community participation and creating participatory platforms using custom digital tools and social wearables.
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Dan Sloane
With 20 years experience delivering technology-based solutions for live events and permanent installations, Dan has worked with dozens of global brands including Google, Youtube, British Airways, Ford Motor Company, BP, Castrol, Sky and Rolls Royce. A technical director and founder of Sloane Squared, he managed projection and video systems for London's 2012 Olympic ceremonies.
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Usamah Khan
A data scientist originally trained as a civil engineer, Usamah is also a designer and photographer with a speciality in machine learning and applying AI in designing 'smart city' tools for other people, focusing on informing product decisions and building business intelligence solutions.
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Nicole Afonso Alves Calistri
Trained in Design Management & Cultures, Nicole is passionate about environmental sustainability and advocates for environment-centred design. She works with organisations to help shape conversations around the future of sustainability and social innovation.