Laura Maftei

Dr. Laura Maftei is an academic at the University of Reading, split between the School of Construction Management and Engineering and the School of Architecture. She holds a PhD (2015) and an MArch from the Architecture Institute Ioan Mincu, Romania (2002). Her research focuses on digital technologies like VR, AR, and BIM in construction and design, emphasizing their integration into teaching and professional practices. She is affiliated with the University’s Organisations, People & Technology Research Group. Her work explores how immersive technologies influence design creativity, collaboration, and user engagement, particularly in healthcare and infrastructure projects.

Research Interests: Her studies delve into the practical and pedagogical applications of digital tools, including VR environments for healthcare design, collaborative multitouch interfaces, and interdisciplinary engineering workflows. She examines challenges in adopting immersive technologies across sectors, advocating for user-centric approaches in both design and education.

Publications: Dr. Maftei has contributed to peer-reviewed journals like Archnet-IJAR and the Journal of Information Technology in Construction, with notable work on VR in hospital design and collaborative virtual environments. Her recent focus includes power dynamics in digital design interactions and the role of immersive tech in infrastructure projects.

Professional Affiliations: She is registered with the UK Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the Romanian Architects Registration Board (OAR), leveraging her eight years of architectural practice into academic research and teaching.