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ABOUT
Isabel is an architect, semiotician, and researcher specializing in dynamic semiotics, regenerative design, and sustainability. She is an architect and urban planner (University of Lisbon) and holds two doctorates – in René Thom Semiotics (Aarhus University, 1996) and Communication Sciences (NOVA University of Lisbon, 2000). She explores the interactions between space, biosemiotics, and culture. Her work aims to analyze and transform our understanding of and impact on natural and built environments.
A member of the Executive Committee of the International Association for Semiotics Studies (IASS), Isabel is also the author of numerous academic publications and books, including The Relevance of René Thom: The Morphological Dimension in Today’s Sciences (Springer, 2024), Espace, sémiotique et cognition (Degrès, 2014), and Dynamiques de la ville (Harmattan, 2007), among many others. Through her research, she combines biosemiotic methodologies with practical applications to help individuals and organizations rethink their relationship with space.
Isabel leads three research axes: Art LAB, which connects ecological art and environmental activism; Mind LAB, dedicated to the study of biosemiotics and the semiotics of space; and eLearning LAB, which offers webinars and online courses on the semiotics of architecture, urbanism, and sustainable design. These initiatives reflect her commitment to rethinking the relationships between space and society.
TESTIMONIALS
Per Aage Brandt
Case Western Reserve University
“Isabel is a great organizer in the field of semiotics and a great defender of dynamic semiotics. Her never flailing passional work for progress in the development of space semiotics, urbano-architectural semiotics, and catastrophe-based modelling is unique. And she is such a nice person, additionally.”
Danielle Gance
Urban mobility & Innovation Expert
"Je recommande Isabel pour son engagement très professionnel dans des projets en relation avec la ville durable et pour le sens qu'ils apportent aux citoyens qui y vivent au quotidien. J'apprécie particulièrement le souci qu'elle a de contribuer à construire de manière transdisciplinaire des réponses aux défis sociaux, environnementaux et économiques actuels."
Ole Möystad
University of Science and Technology
"Architect Dr. Isabel Marcos is one of the pioneers of architectural semiotics. More than 30 years of studies, research and professional experience in semiotics and urban studies has earned her a position as one of the absolute authorities in the field".
Carlos Sequeira
Arquiteto na Time Out Market
"Isabel was one of the most opening mind professor I had, her enormous ability to put problems and solutions in a different perspective and to develop with students the solutions and theories that lead to a better project are undeniable. Undoubtedly an excellent mentor with a great critical capacity".
