Associate
PhD., MSc., MArch., Ing.arch., Bc., ARB, RIBA, AA
London, UK
Lenka Petrakova
Photograph by Frederic Aranda ©
With versatile expertise in design development and technical coordination, Lenka has worked across residential, hospitality, and office projects in Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East. She is currently leading the Le Schuylkill refurbishment and extension in Monaco, overseeing design development, planning, and team coordination. Her multidisciplinary background spans architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, with a strong focus on complex geometry and design.
To further enhance her expertise, she recently undertook studies in construction law to strengthen her ability to translate decarbonisation objectives into enforceable contractual mechanisms, including procurement strategy, risk allocation, and performance obligations.
Render by Negativ
Featured Projects
From a renovation and refurbishment of a prominent tower in Monte Carlo, to a centre consisting of a circular composition of three interconnected towers, discover highlights of Lenka's notable projects at ZHA.
Render by Proloog
Lenka holds a PhD in Design Inspired by Nature. Her innovative work in sustainability earned her the 2020 GRAND PRIX AWARD for Architecture and Innovation of the Sea and the 2022 Peace Prize from the Informal Economic Forum association and the International Peace Committee. Her work has been exhibited internationally at major events such as the Venice Biennale, the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon and Nice, and the Dubai Expo. She is also a frequent speaker at prominent events such as TEDx Bratislava, Dubai Expo, and DeepTech Atelier in Riga.
Lenka earned two Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Architecture and Urban Planning from the Slovak University of Technology in Slovakia. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Applied Arts Vienna and an Ing.arch. in Architecture and Urban Design from the Slovak University of Technology. She has also studied at TU Vienna and SCI-Arc in Los Angeles. Most recently, she completed an MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at King’s College London, receiving academic prizes including the Society of Construction Law Prize for the best dissertation and for the best overall graduate (2024/25), the David Caron Prize for Advanced Construction Law, and the King’s College Construction Law Association Prize.
Lenka strives to design buildings that create a meaningful and lasting impact. Her passion for travel enriches her architectural perspective, allowing her to bring cultural heritage and environmental sensitivity into her work.
Projects
Explore a selection of projects Lenka has contributed to since joining ZHA.
_Photo by John Kellerman courtesy Alamy, montage by MIR
Heritage + Regeneration
Residential
ZHA was appointed together with local practice Square Architecte to renovate and extend Le Schuylkill Tower. Construction works have begun with completion planned in May 2027. With 188 apartments from small studios to four-bedroom family units, the existing tower sits on a steep site with a 22m gradient between its north and south boundaries.
Courtesy of ZHA
Offices
Conceived as four interconnected towers reaching a height of 200m (42 floors), the 185,000 sq.m design incorporates two towers of flexible, open-plan spaces linked by a 20-storey vertical lobby, and two external service towers providing vertical circulation.
Offices
The 218,000m² campus sets new benchmarks for the city in energy conservation, energy efficiency and sustainability.
Render by Negativ
Offices
The new Taikang Financial Centre will be a centre of excellence, developing effective systems and networks that will provide a new ecosystem of support for people of all ages across China. Using the new technologies developed within the Taikang Financial Centre, the group will continue its commitment to supporting community development, healthcare, education and well-being throughout the country.
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