Maria Paz Gutierrez

Maria Paz Gutierrez is a Professor of Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, specializing in natural/living materials, 3D printing, and multiscale design. Her research bridges architecture, materials science, and environmental engineering to address sustainability, health, and equity in construction.

• PhD in Building Science/Materials Engineering, University of Cambridge
• Master of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania
• Architectural Diploma, Universidad Finis Terrae, Chile

Gutierrez explores material innovation from nano to building scales, focusing on flood resilience, air detoxification via lichen composites, and democratizing 3D printing in remote regions. Her fieldwork spans the Americas, particularly the Northwestern Amazon, and she founded the BIOMS research group.

Notable scientific awards include the US NSF Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Award, Bakar Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowship, and shortlisting for the RIBA President's Medal. She holds two provisional patents on 3D printing and is authoring two books.

• ACSA Creative Achievement Award
• Evolo Skyscraper Award (Detox Towers)
• Buckminster Fuller Award (Semifinalist)
• Sarlo Distinguished Mentorship Award
• Blue Award at TU Vienna

Her work with BIOMS emphasizes bioinspiration, material regeneration, and transdisciplinary approaches. She has contributed to major journals like Science, Nature, and Arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, often highlighting the intersection of culture and technology.