Maria Matheou

Maria Matheou is a junior professor at the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (University of Stuttgart), where she leads the A07 subproject within the DFG-funded SFB1244 initiative. Her research focuses on adaptive kinetic facades, aiming to enhance urban sustainability through dynamic building envelopes that improve daylight performance and mitigate urban heat islands. She teaches design studios emphasizing transformable architecture and interdisciplinary approaches.

She holds a B.Sc. (2009), Diploma (2010), and Ph.D. (2014) in Architecture from the University of Cyprus, with postdoctoral research on kinetic hybrid structures. Her work integrates robotics, automation, and environmental engineering to create responsive architectural systems.

Key Research Projects:

• SFB1244: Adaptive skins for future built environments
• ADDOPTML: Optimized 3D-printed structures using machine learning

Teaching:

• Adaptive Façade Skins (B.Sc./M.Sc., University of Stuttgart)
• Building Technology (University of Cyprus)

Awards:

• Lambros & Thalia David Award for Excellence in Architectural Design (2010)
• University of Cyprus Scholarship for Academic Excellence (2013)

Her lab collaborates globally with institutions like McGill University and the National Technical University of Athens on daylight optimization and reconfigurable mechanisms.