8:04:58 UTC

Alessandro Battiston

User researcher and Product designer

Previously at Houzz Pro

Hey, I'm Alessandro, anthropologist and designer based in Berlin (Germany).

Most recently, I conducted ethnographic studies with architecture and construction professionals, which deepened my understanding of how inefficient workflows impact business outcomes in highly regulated industries.


This experience strengthened my passion for translating ethnographic insights into design solutions that solve system, people and business problems.


My unique combination of research and product operations experience allows me to blend research depth with systems thinking and create products that solve real problems at scale.

Press

to copy my email

WORK

Below are some selected projects, full walkthroughs on request

Ondular

2024 - 2025

A speculative design project about a surf app for busy people who care about regenerating the environment. Designed a forecasting system that syncs conditions with your calendar and connects surfers through community cleanups and restoration projects.

What i did



How I did it


Product design

Ethnographic research

User research

Service design

Prototyping

User testing

Case study

Houzz Pro, 2022 - 2024

Mapping and streamlining team collaboration workflows

Houzz Pro had 3 million users juggling disconnected tools that made their work harder. I conducted ethnographic research with architecture and construction teams to understand how they collaborate in the office and on the construction site. The research informed the redesign of the platform.

What i did



How I did it


Ethnographic research

Interviews + field research

Discovery research

Journey mapping

Service design

Workshops

Data analysis

Service blueprinting

Ondular

2024 - 2025

A speculative design project about a surf app for busy people who care about regenerating the environment. Designed a forecasting system that syncs conditions with your calendar and connects surfers through community cleanups and restoration projects.

What i did



How I did it


Product design

Ethnographic research

User research

Service design

Prototyping

User testing

Case study

Houzz Pro, 2022 - 2024

Mapping and streamlining team collaboration workflows

Houzz Pro had 3 million users juggling disconnected tools that made their work harder. I conducted ethnographic research with architecture and construction teams to understand how they collaborate in the office and on the construction site. The research informed the redesign of the platform.

What i did



How I did it


Ethnographic research

Interviews + field research

Discovery research

Journey mapping

Service design

Workshops

Data analysis

Service blueprinting

Simplifying construction scheduling

Houzz Pro, 2023

Diagnosed why Houzz Pro's scheduling tool had low adoption despite 3 million users having access to it. Ethnographic fieldwork in construction and architecture firms paired with usability assessment revealed core failures, guiding a complete redesign.

What i did



How I did it


Ethnographic research

Mixed methods studies

Problem discovery

Field research

Surveys

Heuristic evaluation

Competitive analysis

Unmoderated usability testing

Connecting budget tracking to project management

2023

Identified the missing link between project scheduling and financial management in construction workflows. Research showed professionals needed integrated budget tracking to avoid project overruns. Findings directly influenced the development of Houzz Pro's budgeting features.

What i did



How I did it


Ethnographic research

A lot of interviews

Usability testing

Field research

Surveys

Data analysis

Go-to-market insights

Workshops

Improving file organization and sharing

2023

Discovered that architecture and construction professionals struggled with inefficient file storage in their daily workflows. Research across global teams revealed critical pain points in organizing, finding, and sharing project documents. Multi-method study informed a redesign of Houzz Pro's file management system.

What i did



How I did it


Usability

A lot of interviews

Usability testing

Field research

Surveys

Data analysis

Data analysis

Workshops

EXPERIENCE

Throughout my career, I've worked on diverse projects, from conducting ethnographic research to scaling product operations, SEO and growth across global markets. Here's a brief overview.

2022 — 2024

User researcher

at

Houzz Pro

Led ethnographic studies with AEC professionals on operations and workflows, improving Houzz Pro activation and establishing continuous discovery across global teams.

2022 — 2024

User researcher

at

Houzz Pro

Led ethnographic studies with AEC professionals on operations and workflows, improving Houzz Pro activation and establishing continuous discovery across global teams.

2022 — 2024

User researcher

at

Houzz Pro

Led ethnographic studies with AEC professionals on operations and workflows, improving Houzz Pro activation and establishing continuous discovery across global teams.

2018 - 2022

Product Operations Manager (International)

at

Houzz

Managed global team of SEO, growth, and localization experts across 11 countries, conducting user research and implementing team development systems to drive acquisition and retention.

2018 - 2022

Product Operations Manager (International)

at

Houzz

Managed global team of SEO, growth, and localization experts across 11 countries, conducting user research and implementing team development systems to drive acquisition and retention.

2018 - 2022

Product Operations Manager

at

Houzz

Managed global team of SEO, growth, and localization experts across 11 countries, conducting user research and implementing team development systems to drive acquisition and retention.

2016 — 2018

Product internationalization and SEO

at

Houzz

Launched SEO strategy for Italian market, achieving top search positions and nationwide visibility through organic marketing, PR, and content partnerships.

2016 — 2018

Product internationalization and SEO

at

Houzz

Launched SEO strategy for Italian market, achieving top search positions and nationwide visibility through organic marketing, PR, and content partnerships.

2016 — 2018

Product i8n and SEO

at

Houzz

Launched SEO strategy for Italian market, achieving top search positions and nationwide visibility through organic marketing, PR, and content partnerships.

Connecting budget tracking to project management

2023

Identified the missing link between project scheduling and financial management in construction workflows. Research showed professionals needed integrated budget tracking to avoid project overruns. Findings directly influenced the development of Houzz Pro's budgeting features.

What i did



How I did it


Ethnographic research

A lot of interviews

Usability testing

Field research

Surveys

Data analysis

Go-to-market insights

Workshops

Improving file organization and sharing

2023

Discovered that architecture and construction professionals struggled with inefficient file storage in their daily workflows. Research across global teams revealed critical pain points in organizing, finding, and sharing project documents. Multi-method study informed a redesign of Houzz Pro's file management system.

What i did



How I did it


Usability

A lot of interviews

Usability testing

Field research

Surveys

Data analysis

Data analysis

Workshops

Simplifying construction scheduling

Houzz Pro, 2023

Diagnosed why Houzz Pro's scheduling tool had low adoption despite 3 million users having access to it. Ethnographic fieldwork in construction and architecture firms paired with usability assessment revealed core failures, guiding a complete redesign.

What i did



How I did it


Ethnographic research

Mixed methods studies

Problem discovery

Field research

Surveys

Heuristic evaluation

Competitive analysis

Unmoderated usability testing

Personal

In my spare time, I enjoy writing and reading anthropology, painting, building Legos with my two kids, and listening to radio - finding creative moments between the beautiful chaos of family life.

FM4 Radio

Currently listening

Berlin, germany

20

°C

Berlin, germany

20

°C

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