NININ Studio: small but beautiful
Ninin was the nickname of my late grandfather Giacomo Comacchio.
It is a diminutive coming from “Giacomin” (Little James) then further contracted into “Ninin”.
In Venetian dialect the nickname conveys the idea that as a kid my grandad was “small but cute“.
Used for an object though, the word also picks up the meaning of “carefully crafted“.
Ninin was a skilled ceramic modeller, known for its precision and work ethic.
He was a warm and kind person, very well known, active and respected within his community.
Gionata Comacchio
NININ Studio
A fitting name that reflects our emphasis on quality over quantity and our desire to guide you with competence, care and honesty
Hello!
My name is Gionata but you can call me Gio.
I am the owner and founder of NININ Studio.
I am originally from Marostica, a small Italian town sitting at the feet of the Dolomites.
I studied architecture in beautiful Venice and started my career between London and Milan, working on major international projects for renowned architecture firms such as David Chipperfield Architects.
I had an opportunity to move to Sydney in 2014 to work as a Project Lead first at PopovBass Architects and later at Smart Design Studio where I learned the ins and outs of the Australian design and construction industry and I specialised in hi-end residential architecture and renovations.
I am a curious person and in my career I engaged with many aspects of the design disciplines – from object design to planning and ecology – but mostly I am regarded for my keen eye for details.
In 2021 I started to practice under my own name and commenced an ongoing collaboration with Bagnall Design Office. It was in this setting that I discovered that my well honed design skills would have benefitted from a better understanding on how buildings works in terms of health and comfort.
Since then I have embarked on an intense learning journey that took me to vastly broaden my knowledge of building science and to become a Certified Passivhaus Designer and an Accredited NatHERS Assessor. All this while implementing my learnings every day in my projects.
It’s 2025, and since July I have started to practice as NININ Studio to acknowledge this new career chapter, better represent its core values and provide my clients with a platform to explore my design and consulting services.
What else about me?
I am a gentle, calm and considerate person who leads with honesty.
I am very professional but I have a funny (and definitively soft) heart.
When I am not working you may find me running up and down the coves of Sydney Harbour, attending to concerts and exhibitions or simply hanging out with friends.
Otherwise I will be at home, enjoying a good meal, a good book, sketching or playing guitar.
accreditations
Accredited Building Designer (Medium Rise) BDAA 6740
Accredited NatHERS Assessor ABSA 101590
Certified Passivhaus Designer IPHA
Education
Master of Architecture IUAV Venice 2010
Graduate Certificate in City Planning UNSW Sydney 2021
Certificate IV in Home Energy Efficiency and Sustainability 2025
