Mariana Popescu

Role: Researcher at the Block Research Group (BRG) at the Institute of Technology in Architecture at ETH Zurich

Location: Zürich, Switzerland

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Race/Ethnicity: Romanian

Education: Ph.D. in Architecture from ETH Zurich, Switzerland and M.S. and B.S. in Architecture from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands

Fun Fact: From 2008 to 2010, Marina was part of the Nuon Solar team which designed, built and raced a solar car across the Australian Outback. She was also part of the ReVolt House team which built a self-sustaining house during 2011 and 2012.

About the Image: The background image shows an art exhibit that Mariana designed at Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City. She used algorithms to create a 3D knitted tapestry formwork. The formwork was then reinforced with concrete to create a 13-foot tall structure. The colorful traditional dresses of the Mexican state of Jalisco inspired the tapestry.