Barbara Galimberti
EPFL ENAC IA GR-ACM
SG 3312 (Bâtiment SG)
Station 15
1015 Lausanne
+41 21 693 39 48
Office: SG 3312
EPFL › ENAC › IA › GR-ACM
Website: https://acm.epfl.ch/
Expertise
Archival science, collections management, and information sciences applied to architectural archives and to heritage and research collections, within the Archives of Modern Construction (ACM) of the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne.
Standardized archival description, metadata structuring and governance, dissemination of finding aids, and development of digital infrastructures for long-term preservation and access (Morphé / AtoM + Archivematica ; MorphéPlus).
Intellectual and physical processing (collections and works management) of physical, hybrid, and born-digital archives, including architects’ fonds, heritage libraries, works of art and furniture, model collections, and graphic, photographic, and textual documents.
Articulation between archives, research data, and open science principles, in compliance with legal frameworks governing archives, data, and usage rights. Location tracking, physical management, handling of remote requests, and reader services in the reading room.
Participation in research projects, scientific mediation, teaching, and interinstitutional collaborations at the interface between archives, libraries, exhibition spaces, and universities, contributing to the promotion and dissemination of modern architectural heritage.
Supervision of student assistants, civil service workers, and interns in training.
Mission
Development and deployment of digital tools dedicated to research (in collaboration with management and IT services):
from 2024: Morphé + Archivematica, a digital preservation system. Contribution focused on defining functional and archival requirements, integration with existing systems, access and use management, and alignment with finding aids and legal frameworks. Work carried out in close collaboration with those responsible for system deployment and configuration (digital archivist and ENAC-IT4R).
from 2021: MorphéPlus, a platform for consultation and enhancement of digitized documentary corpora, structured by object or architectural project. Functional design developed with IT partners. Data structuring and implementation of automated conversion processes (CSV to XML EAD 2002 via Python scripts). Online publication of approx. 45 objects and 4,300 digital documents [status 2025].
from 2018: Morphé, an open-source web application based on AtoM, dedicated to documentary management, description, and enhancement. Project selection and steering, functional design, archival configuration, and requirements definition, in collaboration with management and IT services. Provision of approx. 30,000 archival units, including approx. 24,000 publicly accessible, 2,000 place records, and 1,500 authority records (persons, families, organizations) [status 2025].
Reorganization of acquisition, access, and dissemination frameworks (in collaboration with management):
from 2023: Development and gradual implementation of a functional framework and tiered access modalities for digitized and born-digital archives, aligned with open science principles (open research data), data protection, copyright, and institutional policies.
2021: Launch of MorphéBook, a centralized document reservation system for on-site consultation. Functional design and definition of user requirements, in collaboration with an IT partner.
from 2021: Structuring and formalization of procedures for reproduction and on-demand digitization, including eligibility conditions, technical limits, pricing, and usage rights.
2019–2022: Definition and formalization of consultation modalities for archives, including access rules, terms of use, preventive conservation requirements, contractual restrictions, and the legal framework (copyright, data protection, EPFL directives).
2018–2022: Definition and formalization of loan procedures in accordance with AMS standards, including loan conditions, responsibilities, insurance, and conservation requirements.
2017–2020: Structuring of acquisition procedures, including definition of contractual and legal frameworks, analysis of copyright and data issues, and retrospective assessment of the legal framework applicable to earlier acquisitions.
Reorganization of storage facilities and collection transfers (in collaboration with management and technical services):
2022: Coordination of the relocation of collections from the Cossonay site (Maison Sartoris), including the heritage library, periodicals and artworks collections, photographic archives, correspondence, and documentary files, in collaboration with management and technical services.
2020–2021: Coordination of the relocation of collections from the Val-de-Travers site, including the transfer of approximately 600 models (approx. 230 m³) and more than 190 pallets of documents, objects, and furniture (approx. 200 m³), following packing and cleaning, in collaboration with management and technical services.
2020: Participation in the commissioning of the Crissier storage facility, set up in an existing industrial hall (approx. 700 m² of usable space), intended to house a major portion of ACM fonds and collections under stabilized conservation conditions.
2018–2022: Assessment of the condition of former storage facilities (Val-de-Travers and Maison Sartoris in Cossonay), highlighting critical unsanitary conditions, major health risks, and the absence of adequate archival conditions; participation in specialized microbiological assessments and performance of basic microbiological analyses.
Archival processing and structuring of fonds and collections:
from 2022: Formalization of rules for drafting archival descriptions and principles for assigning reference codes.
from 2018: Progressive migration to Morphé (AtoM), accompanied by normalization of descriptive data, restructuring of archival hierarchies, and consolidation of fonds and collections, in the absence of pre-existing hierarchical structures.
2016–2020: Inventory (récolement) of fonds and collections across all storage sites (Val-de-Travers, Maison Sartoris in Cossonay, EPFL campus).
from 2016: Supervision and guidance of archival description work carried out by interns, civil service workers, and student assistants.
from 2016: Archival description of archival fonds and heritage collections (artworks, models), particularly for recent acquisitions or partially described or untreated holdings; descriptions initially produced in the internal Athanase system and, from 2018 onward, in Morphé (AtoM).
Selected publications
Architectural Archives: Actors and Objects in Heritage Preservation
Salvatore APREA and Barbara GALIMBERTI.
Published in APT Bulletin: The Journal of Preservation Technology 54, no. 3–4 (2024): 49–57 in 2025
Preservare e attivare patrimoni digitali : Il caso CA-O-RD agli Archives de la construction moderne (Manno, SUPSI, 30 octobre 2025)
Barbara Galimberti
Published in - in 2025
Ressources pour la recherche
Barbara Galimberti
Published in EPFL [en ligne] in 2024
Research
Academic Activities and Contribution to Open Science
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS / GRANTS AND RESEARCH FUNDING
ETH Domain ORD Program (2024–2025)
“Contemporary Architecture Open Research Data (CA-O-RD)”
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea (ACM).
With the participation of Yonathan Seibt (ACM; 2024), Kethsana Muong (ACM; 2025), Barbara Galimberti (ACM), Hugo Solleder (ENAC-IT4R), Nicolas Dubois (ENAC-IT4R–EPFL).
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea (ACM).
With the participation of Yonathan Seibt (ACM; 2024), Kethsana Muong (ACM; 2025), Barbara Galimberti (ACM), Hugo Solleder (ENAC-IT4R), Nicolas Dubois (ENAC-IT4R–EPFL).
INFRASTRUCTURES AND PLATFORMS FOR OPEN SCIENCE AND RESEARCH DATA
Since 2024
- Archivematica (digital preservation): in collaboration with the digital archivist and ENAC-IT4R, implementation of a digital preservation system based on Archivematica, an open-source solution compliant with the OAIS model, aimed at the management, long-term preservation, and sustainable access to archival digital objects.
2021
- MorphéPlus: development of a complementary platform for the consultation and enhancement of digitized documents, bringing together 23 fonds descriptions, approx. 50 objects, and approx. 4,000 digitized documents, under the direction of Salvatore Aprea and in collaboration with the company Cruncher. [status 11/2025]
2018
- Morphé (AtoM): in collaboration with ENAC-IT and under the direction of Salvatore Aprea, implementation and operation of an institutional archival description platform based on AtoM, providing access to approx. 30,000 archival descriptions, of which approx. 24,000 are publicly accessible, as well as 2,045 place records and 1,512 authority records (persons, families, organizations). [status 11/2025]
CONTRIBUTION TO EXTERNAL OPEN SCIENCE PROJECTS
2020
- AS Encyclopaedia: contribution to a digital editorial project through the scientific supervision of content writing and metadata structuring, within the framework of publishing an online database bringing together all articles of the journal Architecture Suisse since 1972 (more than 8,000 pages), with partially open-access availability.
Institutional partnerships: Architecture Suisse journal, EPFL, with the support of the Federal Office of Culture, the Société Académique Vaudoise, and the Pro Scientia et Arte Foundation.
2017
- Smapshot: contribution to a participatory open science mapping project based on the collaborative geolocation of historical aerial photographs of Switzerland from the 1960s (Perrochet–Pleinciel collection, ACM), through participation in document selection, digitization, and processing of digital objects.
Institutional partnerships: EPFL – Archives of Modern Construction (ACM), HEIG-VD.
POPULARIZATION AND SCIENTIFIC MEDIATION ACTIVITIES
POPULARIZATION AND SCIENTIFIC MEDIATION ACTIVITIES (SELECTION)
2025
- Discovery Workshop – Collège du Belvédère / ACM (EPFL): organization and facilitation of an educational workshop, including the design of teaching materials, focused on the archives of the Marc Piccard fonds, intended for a secondary school class (education on the built environment).
- Nuit des musées (Archizoom, EPFL): design of a panel and a museographic installation centered on a cyanotype (“architect’s blue”) from the Archives de la construction moderne, presented by Archizoom as part of a mediation workshop for children and families.
- Rencontre avec les ACM (Archizoom, EPFL): ad hoc contribution through the selection of archival documents presented during the introductory session on fonds and on the work of solar architects, in the context of the exhibition Sun Shines on Architecture.
- International Archives Week – #IAW2025 (coordinated by the International Council on Archives): institutional digital communication focusing on archival accessibility and digital tools.
2024
- Open Day of the Archives de la construction moderne: co-organization of an open day and guided tours of the collections, aimed at the general public and students.
- Congrès et Marché du patrimoine audiovisuel (Memoriav, Soleure): supervision of the selection of digitized documents and of the video editing carried out in collaboration with a pre-HES intern, for the promotion of the Henri Germond photographic fonds at the Canton of Vaud stand.
- Première rencontre aux Archives (EPFL): contribution to the organization of a mediation event around the archives of architect Roland Gay, within the Rencontres aux Archives series.
2023
- EPFL Open Days: participation in the presentation stand of the Archives de la construction moderne, providing mediation for the general public during EPFL’s open days.
2022
- Archives on Tour – Boîte en tour / Fil ADN: hosting and participation in the traveling event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Association des archivistes suisses, including media outreach and social media promotion.
- Archives pour tous – Vous avez dit “archives” ?: co-organization of a digital mediation campaign focused on archival missions and practices, as part of the Semaine internationale des archives.
- Archives pour tous – Vos archives s’affichent: participation in an interinstitutional poster campaign on the University of Lausanne campus, aimed at raising students’ awareness of archival centers.
- RIC – Records in Contexts: co-organization of a half-day professional training session on the new archival description standard (approx. 100 participants).
2018
- Journées européennes du patrimoine: guided tours of the exhibition Habiter la modernité (ACM / Archizoom EPFL).
2017
- Mystères de l’UNIL: facilitation of public workshops on memory (ACM / MnemoPôle network).
EXHIBITIONS
2025
Les archives dévoilées : Alice Biro & Jeanne Bueche.
Lausanne, Archizoom (EPFL), 24 September – 28 November 2025.
Installation presented as part of the exhibition Histoires croisées : Gae Aulenti, Ada Louise Huxtable, Phyllis Lambert.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL; Archizoom – EPFL.
Under the direction of Cyril Veillon.
With the collaboration of Barbara Galimberti, Kethsana Muong, Mathias Narbel, Dimitri Kaspatian, Solène Hoffmann, Beatrice Raball.
Lausanne, Archizoom (EPFL), 24 September – 28 November 2025.
Installation presented as part of the exhibition Histoires croisées : Gae Aulenti, Ada Louise Huxtable, Phyllis Lambert.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL; Archizoom – EPFL.
Under the direction of Cyril Veillon.
With the collaboration of Barbara Galimberti, Kethsana Muong, Mathias Narbel, Dimitri Kaspatian, Solène Hoffmann, Beatrice Raball.
2023
Terragni e Sartoris a Como, capitale du rationalisme italien, 1926–1943.
Como, S. Pietro in Atrio, 2 December – 31 December 2023.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL; MADEinMAARC; Città di Como; Archivio Terragni.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Ebe Gianotti, Lorenza Ceruti, Giovanna Saladanna, Barbara Galimberti, Yonathan Seibt, Antoine Gagliardi, Laurent Emmenegger, Edoardo Bonacina.
Como, S. Pietro in Atrio, 2 December – 31 December 2023.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL; MADEinMAARC; Città di Como; Archivio Terragni.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Ebe Gianotti, Lorenza Ceruti, Giovanna Saladanna, Barbara Galimberti, Yonathan Seibt, Antoine Gagliardi, Laurent Emmenegger, Edoardo Bonacina.
2019
La macchina delle meraviglie : L’arte del disegno nell’opera di Alberto Sartoris.
Rome, Casa dell’Architettura, 10 October – 10 November 2019.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL, in collaboration with the Istituto Svizzero, the Ordre des architectes de Rome, and the Casa dell’Architettura de Rome.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Roberto Grio, Barbara Galimberti, Joëlle Neuenschwander, Théo Ozkan, Emanuela Petrone, Ines Paolucci.
Rome, Casa dell’Architettura, 10 October – 10 November 2019.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL, in collaboration with the Istituto Svizzero, the Ordre des architectes de Rome, and the Casa dell’Architettura de Rome.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Roberto Grio, Barbara Galimberti, Joëlle Neuenschwander, Théo Ozkan, Emanuela Petrone, Ines Paolucci.
2018
Habiter la modernité : Villas du style international sur la Riviera vaudoise.
Corseaux, Musée L’Atelier De Grandi, 6 September – 29 November 2018.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL; Archizoom – EPFL; Musée L’Atelier De Grandi, Corseaux.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander Feihl, Barbara Galimberti, Pierre De Grandi, François De Grandi, Cyril Veillon, Yaël Bruigom, Sandrine Perroud, Jean-Robert Gros, John-Alexandre Favre, Noémie Allenbach.
Corseaux, Musée L’Atelier De Grandi, 6 September – 29 November 2018.
Archives de la construction moderne – EPFL; Archizoom – EPFL; Musée L’Atelier De Grandi, Corseaux.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander Feihl, Barbara Galimberti, Pierre De Grandi, François De Grandi, Cyril Veillon, Yaël Bruigom, Sandrine Perroud, Jean-Robert Gros, John-Alexandre Favre, Noémie Allenbach.
La fotografia d'archivio nell'era digitale.
Lugano-Trevano, SUPSI, 9 April – 4 May 2018.
Archives de la construction moderne in collaboration with the Institut d’ingénierie du territoire of HEIG-VD.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander, Barbara Galimberti, John Alexandre Favre, Timothée Produit, Jens Ingensand.
Lugano-Trevano, SUPSI, 9 April – 4 May 2018.
Archives de la construction moderne in collaboration with the Institut d’ingénierie du territoire of HEIG-VD.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander, Barbara Galimberti, John Alexandre Favre, Timothée Produit, Jens Ingensand.
La photographie d'archive à l'âge numérique.
Ecublens, EPFL, 27–31 March 2017; Ecublens, Archives communales, Journée suisse des archives 2017, 9 June 2017.
Archives de la construction moderne in collaboration with the Institut d’ingénierie du territoire of HEIG-VD.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander, Barbara Galimberti, John Alexandre Favre, Timothée Produit, Jens Ingensand.
Ecublens, EPFL, 27–31 March 2017; Ecublens, Archives communales, Journée suisse des archives 2017, 9 June 2017.
Archives de la construction moderne in collaboration with the Institut d’ingénierie du territoire of HEIG-VD.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander, Barbara Galimberti, John Alexandre Favre, Timothée Produit, Jens Ingensand.
L'architecture moderne au Brésil dans la vision d'Alberto Sartoris.
Geneva, Pavillon Sicli, Les Acacias, 23 May – 28 June 2018.
In partnership with the Maison de l’Architecture in Geneva, on the occasion of the exhibition Paulo Mendes Da Rocha – L’architecture moderne au Brésil.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander, Barbara Galimberti, John Alexandre Favre.
Geneva, Pavillon Sicli, Les Acacias, 23 May – 28 June 2018.
In partnership with the Maison de l’Architecture in Geneva, on the occasion of the exhibition Paulo Mendes Da Rocha – L’architecture moderne au Brésil.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander, Barbara Galimberti, John Alexandre Favre.
2016
Traces du Bauhaus aux Archives de la construction moderne.
Lausanne, Archizoom (EPFL), 20 September – 15 October 2016.
Installation presented as part of the exhibition Le principe Co-op – Hannes Meyer et le principe du design collectif.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander and Barbara Galimberti.
Lausanne, Archizoom (EPFL), 20 September – 15 October 2016.
Installation presented as part of the exhibition Le principe Co-op – Hannes Meyer et le principe du design collectif.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander and Barbara Galimberti.
Concepts de modernité.
Lausanne, Archives de la construction moderne, 20–24 June 2016.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander and Barbara Galimberti.
Lausanne, Archives de la construction moderne, 20–24 June 2016.
Under the direction of Salvatore Aprea.
With the collaboration of Joëlle Neuenschwander and Barbara Galimberti.
Teaching & PhD
Scientific supervision and internship mentoring
Supervision and expert support of Bachelor (BSc) degree projects in Information Science:
- Commissioning institution for the Bachelor thesis:
Yonathan Seibt, Études de la prise en charge des archives numériques d’architecture aux Archives de la construction moderne (ACM), Geneva: Haute école de gestion de Genève, 2023. - Jury member at the Bachelor thesis defense:
Giulia Minissale, Numérisation et valorisation des microfilms et de l’inventaire du fonds Honegger, Geneva: Haute école de gestion de Genève, 2023.
Supervision of pre-HES interns in the Bachelor (BSc) in Information Science:
- Chloé Roten – pre-HES internship, 2026
- Yoan Ottet – pre-HES internship, 2024–2025
- Kethsana Muong – pre-HES internship, 2021
Supervision of Bachelor (BSc) in Information Science interns:
- Yonathan Seibt – HES Bachelor internship, 2022
- Kethsana Muong – HES Bachelor internship, 2023