Archinect
Maria Christofi

Maria Christofi

New Haven, CT, US

 
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About 

Talented urban and architectural designer with extensive residential and health building development and research training. Comprehensive knowledge of European legislation, where I have been working for the last 12 years. Skilled in marketing data and creating up-to-date proposals. A highly motivated, hardworking employee who desires to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills. My research explores the intersections between architecture, cognition, and computing. I investigate how our environment's perception adapts to the alterations of the built environment for a more efficient environmental design. My methodology is based on a situated computing practice investigating spatial-cognitional phenomena across different scales.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Tufts University, Medford Hillside, MA, US, Associate Researcher

• Responsible for the creation and analysis of biophysical research and data related, tutoring and teaching of new technologies and tracking machine learning to the students in the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning.
• Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data using data analysis tools to identify and validate research conclusions.
• Collaborated with other researchers both in-person and virtually.
• Adapted general research methodologies to meet project-specific requirements.
• Crafted research studies and facilitated study participants remotely and in-person.
• Wrote, compiled and edited assigned portions of proposals and project reports to achieve grant writing and publication objectives.

Jan 2023 - current
 

Department of Town Planning and Housing, Nicosia, CY, Technical Officer

• Responsible for the approval of urban planning license for new buildings and monitoring the implementation of urban department legislations in the areas of Nicosia and Limassol, Cyprus
• Leader of a team of five architects, urbanists and engineers.
• Answered client inquiries with exceptional professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Compiled and submitted monthly and yearly reports.

May 2021 - Jun 2022
 

University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Researcher

• Responsible for the creation of web pages, some data collection, and the data entry process for the project “Landscapes of Leisure and Politics: The Architectural History of Tourism and Conflict in Cyprus—LeisureScapes.” in the Department of Architecture.
• Collaborated with other researchers both in-person and virtually.
• Supported other researchers in study- and project-related activities.
• Identified relevant questions and determined best methods of collection.
• Designed and executed consumer studies using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Nov 2019 - Feb 2022
 

University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Teaching Instructor

• Co-instructor for the post-graduate thesis project of one student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with the Prof. Th.Theocharides. [project related to a spatial application, online and physical tutoring]
• Oversaw program execution and development of programs and support materials.
• Illustrated continuous improvement and organizational effectiveness through training program outcomes.

Sep 2020 - Aug 2021
 

CM studio, Nicosia, Cyprus, Architect and Project Manager

• Responsible for the design and the construction of private residences, smart village urban planning layout, factories, commercial projects.
• Assessed task completion to meet tight project deadlines.
• Collaborated with builders to confirm construction conformed to drawings and designs.
• Advised clients about engineering concerns for in-development projects.
• Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
• Collaborated with others to discuss new opportunities.

Apr 2018 - May 2021
 

Cyprus Ministry of Health, Nicosia, Cyprus, Consultant and External Collaborator

• Prepared the architectural requirement and appendix of the new law related to the “Establishment and Operation of Recovery and
• Rehabilitation Centres in Cyprus.”
• Assisted in developing and implementing different workflows and communication processes.
• Prepared accurate and concise reports, conveying progress, issues and solutions.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to contribute recommendations and deliver client objectives.
• Identified risks and assessed potential impact, consulting with clients to prepare mitigation plan.

Sep 2018 - Jun 2019
 

SIN Mechanicals, Athens, Greece, Project Manager

• Created project plans with established timelines, assigned to appropriate teams and managed workflow throughout construction.
• Led meetings with internal team members, consultants and contractors.
• Forecasted, scheduled and monitored project timelines, personnel performance and cost efficiency, especially for projects in Cyclades, Greece.
• Developed solutions to project risks and issues, meeting quality and timeline goals and objectives.
• Created team objectives and roles with specific goals outlined for each individual.
• Made changes to project scope and cost and implemented most effective change management processes to keep project up-to-date.
• Focused on project monitoring and management by developing forecasts and tracking expenses.
• Furnished project updates to various stakeholders, informing on strategy, adjustments and progress.

Dec 2015 - Jan 2018
 

University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Teaching Instructor

• Co-instructor for the post-graduate lessons “Architectural Design VII” (APH 400) and “Advanced Topics in Architectural Design II” (APH 405) in the Department of Architecture with Prof. M. Katsaros.
• Oversaw program execution and development of programs and support materials.
• Researched new and emerging training options to drive performance and promote cost-reduction.
• Designed and implemented handbooks, training modules and video tutorials to reinforce training concepts.
• Evaluated training program outcomes and worked with management to design and implement improvements.
• Presented research papers at conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Developed and implemented curriculum plans for each course.

Sep 2017 - Dec 2017
 

National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Teaching Assistant

• Teaching assistant for the courses of the Department IV- Department of Construction Design and Advanced Technologies at the School of Architecture with Prof. M. Katsaros.
• Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.
• Graded assignments and tests and documented results into filing systems.
• Helped teachers with material generation, lesson plan development, class preparation, scheduling, exam distribution and student mentoring.

Sep 2015 - Jul 2016
 

SIN Mechanicals, Athens, Greece, Lead Architect

• Drafted detailed drawings of structures, specifying dimensions and materials needed.
• Discussed design specifications and procedures with project manager, engineering team and construction manager.
• Completed formal design intent and construction documentation.
• Created oral and written presentations for project designs and proposals.
• Collaborated with builders to confirm construction conformed to drawings and designs.
• Monitored design processes from conceptual phase through construction.
• Supervised team of project architects and CADD technicians throughout entire project.
• Performed site due diligence and site selection for clients.
• Creating sets of drawings and 3d modeling and applied for governmental license approve.

Dec 2013 - Dec 2015
 

Dimitris Thomopoulos Architects, Athens, Greece, Architectural Designer

• Discussed design specifications and procedures with project manager, engineering team and construction manager.
• Been employed for the design and the construction details in the project “Olive Oil Mill in Pylos.” (The project has been awarded as One of the Best Implemented Architectural Projects of the year from DOMES International Magazine.)
• Creating 2D and 3D plans, presentations boards and monitoring and editing the magazine's publications.

Jul 2013 - Dec 2013
 

University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Teaching Assistant

• Working for Prof. M. Philokyprou for the research program “BIOVERNACULAR architecture” (http://www.biovernacular.ac.cy/),
• Responsible for recordings of temperature, relative humidity and other environmental features of traditional buildings in the historic centre of Kaimakli. Also prepared the presentation for the seminar “Euromed 2012”, (2012-2013).
• Designer of the “Official Journal of the Department of Architecture of the UCY, entitled “J.UCY”, (Under the guidance of Prof. S. Stratis and O. Kontovourkis for the years 2012-2013 and under the guidance of Prof. S. Stratis for the years 2011-2012).
• Working for Prof. M. Phocas, for the lessons of “Structural and Construction Design”, (2011). [all in the Department of Architecture]

Sep 2011 - Jan 2013
 

Coll-Lecrerc Arquitectos, Barcelona, Spain, Junior Architect

• Part of the design group of the “Heineken's Factory” in Barcelona, within the exchange program “ERASMUS Placement”. (in collaboration with Baillo Rull+add office)
• Put together project documentation and submittal packages.
• Produced designs and drafts of project blueprints.
• Drafted detailed drawings of structures, specifying dimensions and materials needed.
• Creating 2D, 3Ds plans and model making.

May 2012 - Jul 2012
 

Baillo Rull+add Arquitectos, Barcelona, Spain, Junior Architect

• Working in architectural competitions (urban design) and residencies projects, within the exchange program “ERASMUS Placement”.
• Put together project documentation and submittal packages.
• Oversaw projects from concept through delivery.
• Produced designs and drafts of project blueprints.
• Drafted detailed drawings of structures, specifying dimensions and materials needed.

Jan 2012 - Jul 2012
 

Theo David Architects, New York, NY, US, Model Maker

•Making project models for the exhibition “Theo David: Built Ideas”, (expo waspresented in the USA, SPAIN, and GREECE). internship

Oct 2011 - Nov 2011
 

Education 

National Technical University of Athens, Athens, GR, PhD, Ph.D. in Cognitive And Computational Architecture in Urban

Research in: Cognitive and Computational Architecture in Urban Space and Built Environment. Supervisors: Miltiadis Katsaros (NTUA), Sotirios Kotsopoulos (MIT), and Luis Emilio Bruni (AAU). Areas of concentration: new applied technologies in urban design, cognitive architecture theory and technologies, history of senses, urban planning and design politics, technological criticism, big data, computing practices in spatial-cognitional phenomena.
Awards/ Honors/ Scholarships
•Scholarship for 4th Year Ph.D. Studies, Sylvia Ioannou Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus \ YEAR 2021
•XIV. International Research Conference Certificate of Best Presentation Award. ICCSAD 2020: International Conference onComputational Simulation and Architectural Design, for the project “Flexible Cities: A Multisided Spatial Application of TrackingLivability of Urban Environment”, London, United Kingdom \ NOVEMBER 19-20, 2020
•Thomaidia Awards for the Progress of Science and Art, for the project “Form Follows Brain Function: A Computational MappingApproach”, NTUA, Athens, Greece \ JULY 27, 2020
•Scholarship for 3rd Year Ph.D. Studies, Sylvia Ioannou Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus \YEAR 2020
•Scholarship for 2nd Year Ph.D. Studies, Athanasios Ktorides Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus \OCTOBER 2018 – JUNE 2019
•Scholarship for 1st Year Ph.D. Studies, Athanasios Ktorides Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus \OCTOBER 2017 – JUNE 2018

Oct 2018 - current
 

National Seminar Center of Athens, Athens, GR, Associate of Applied Science in Diploma in Psychological Analysis of Children's Drawings

Courses addressed children's mental and spiritual health through drawing art (Graduate with distinctions, 10/10)

Dec 2020 - Jul 2021
 

National Technical University of Athens, Athens, GR, Masters, Master of Science in Master of Science in Architectural Studies

Thesis: Converging urban mobility: The city as identity new-scape. Thesis Supervisor: George Parmenides. Courses addressed applied psychology in architecture, theories of public space, history-theory of cognitive architecture and urbanism, and applied new technologies. GPA: 9.58/10.
Awards/ Honors/ Scholarships
• Scholarship for Master Studies in Architecture, Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation (I.K.Y.), Nicosia, Cyprus, OCTOBER 2014 – JUNE 2016

Sep 2014 - Jul 2016
 

University of Cyprus (UCY), Nicosia, CY, MArch, Diploma of Architecture, Professional Degree (DipEngArch)

Thesis: Re-habitating and Re-designing Urban Voids. Supervisor: Christos Hadjichristos. Release the one year thesis project for the professional degree of architecture. GPA: 9.11/10
Awards/ Honors/ Scholarships
• Certificate of Distinction. Competition for “The Reconnection of Collserola Natural Park with Barcelona”, Barcelona, Spain SPRING 2012 / Team: Baillo rull+add, M. Christofi, V. Theodorou [Spanish title: Les Portes de Collserola a Barcelona: una iniciativa per posar en valor el parc i renaturalitzar la ciutat]

Sep 2012 - Jun 2013
 

University of Cyprus (UCY), Nicosia, CY, Bachelors, Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Courses addressed construction and design, theories of public space, urban theories, architecture and technologies, psychology and theory of modernity. GPA: 8.40/10
Awards/ Honors/ Scholarships
•Second price in the International Allplan Young Architects Award. Project title: “Research Center for Future Mobilities.Applied New Technologies”, Allplan Nemetschek Company, Munich, GermanyJUNE 2012 / Team: M. Christofi, S. Anastasiou, S. Theologou
•Certificate of Distinction. Competition for “Cultural Center of Morfou”, Nicosia, CyprusAUTUMN 2011 / Team: IMA Architects, Ch. Hadjichristos, and M. Christofi
•Annual Prizes for one of the best new athletes in Track and Field, women category, Cyprus Amateur AthleticAssociation, Nicosia, CyprusYEARS 2001-2009

Sep 2007 - Jun 2011
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills