Mari Paz graduated from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2015. She also completed her first master's year at TU Berlin. She has worked in several international studios such as Sauerbruch Hutton, Nieto Sobejano, and Herzog de Meuron. In 2019 she started her dissertation, which she has been conducting along with her practical work as an architect for Studio GMP. In September 2023, she joined the University Regensburg where she works for the Fairville project, funded by the European Union, Horizon 2020, where she researches how does co-production can reduce inequalities. In July 2024, she successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation.
Her research investigates the impact of borders on the urbanism of the city and on the development of urban life. Her case study is based in Ceuta, a Spanish city located in Africa, where the European border takes its most defensive and exclusive form. Under a multiscalar approach, she analyzes the different agents controlling the region and the power negotiations between them. She pursues her dissertation within the Habitat Unit Chair, at the TU Berlin and in collaboration with the urbanism department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. She is currently a lecturer at the Berlin International University.
She is currently on parental leave.
CV
Curriculum vitae
| Since Sept 23 | Postdoctoral Researcher at DIMAS, Professorship for the Sociological Dimensions of Space (Anna Steigemann), Fairville Project |
| Since 2018 | Senior Architect Gerkan Marg & Partner, Berlin |
| 07/2017 - 08/2018 | Architect Herzog & de Meuron; Berlin |
| 01.2016 - 07.2017 | Junior Architect Gerkan, Marg and Partner GmbH |
| 06.2014 - 09.2014 | Internship Nieto Sobejano, Berlin |
| 02.2014 - 04.2014 | Internship Alfonso Azqueta Studio, Madrid |
| 07.2013 - 12.2013 | Internship Sauerbruch Hutton, Berlin |
Educational Background
| 2019-2024 | Doctoral dissertation at the Habitat Unit chair, Institute for Architecture, Technische Universit?t Berlin under the supervision of Prof. Dr Philipp Misselwitz and Prof. Dr Javier Ruiz from the Polytechnic University of Madrid |
| 2013-2015 | Master of Arts in Architecture and Urban Design. Investigation on the Spanish migrant reception system and projection and development of a welcome center for migrants, supervised by Prof. A. Barbarín (Universidad Politécnica Madrid) |
| 2012-2013 | M.A. Architecture, 1st and 2nd semester. Exchange programme funded by the Erasmus Exchange Programme Scholarship (TU Berlin) |
| 2009-2012 | Bachelor of Technology in Architecture and Urban Design (Universidad Politécnica Madrid) |
Complementary education
| 2010 - 2012 | ACETSAM, Cooperation and development area of the university (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) |
| 2010 | Architectural Association School of Architecture, London Tender is the night, participation in an architecture workshop, design study, fieldwork and final construction of an installation |
Grants, Awards and Fellowships
03.2013 - 07.2013
DAAD Travel and Research grant.
TU-Berlin, Habitat Unit. Upgrading Favelas, Vitoria, Brazil
09.2012-12.2013
Erasmus Scholarship, Student and Internship
For 2 semesters exchange as a student, enrolled at TU- Berlin and an additional semester exchange in Berlin as an intern.
2009
Grant of Excellence of the State of Madrid
Research
Since 2023
Research project investigating how co-production can impair urban inequalities and face democratic challenges
Taking the Rathausblock at the heart of Kreuzberg, Berlin, the investigation delves into the co-production process established there and its capacity to promote a social space in which everyone finds a fair a representation.
2019-2024
PhD research project, supervised by Prof P. Misselwitz (TU Berlin) and
Prof. Dr Javier Ruiz (UP Madrid)
An investigation into the infrastructure of Fortress Europe and how its presence in the border city of Ceuta, segregates the society, impacts on the economy and consequently shapes the urban development of the city.
2014-2015
Master’s degree research project, supervised by Prof A. Barbarín (UP Madrid)
An advanced and thorough investigation on the Spanish migrant reception system and projection and development of a welcome center for migrants, providing first aid facilities and implementing their social and economic inclusion.
Publications
2024
Urban Planning
Urban Borderlands: Difference, Inequality, and Spatio-Temporal In-Betweenness in Cities
Spatial Appropriations over Europe's Borderland. El Principe's Growth as a Vestige of Colonial Urban Planning
www.cogitatiopress.com/urbanplanning/article/view/6942 (external link, opens in a new window)
Journal of Urbanism
Radical Plurality and Design
Multiscalar Conflict and their Resulting Production of Space at the Border City of Ceuta (Accepted Paper)
2019
Springer Editorial
Urbanism at borders. Borders within Borders.
Ceuta, the border city of the European fortress in Africa.
How the multiscalar agents negotiating the urban structure of a city impact the region and the border district of Benzú (Awaiting publication)
Teaching
| Winter term 22/23 | Transforming Solidarities, Habitat Unit, Technische Universit?t Berlin Mapping Workshop and Method Input, with Dr Moritz Ahlert |
| Summer term 2022 | Transforming Solidarities, Habitat Unit, Technische Universit?t Berlin Methods Input, with Dr. Anna Steigemann, Dr. Christian Haid |
| Winter term 22/23 | Building Material Sciences, with Jeanne Francois Fischer, Berlin International University, BA Architecture |
| Summer term 2022 | Building construction, with Jeanne Francois Fischer, Berlin International University, BA Architecture |
| Winter term 21/22 | Building Material Sciences, with Jeanne Francois Fischer, Berlin International University, BA Architecture |
| Summer term 2021 | Interior Construction, with Javier Martin, Berlin International University, BA Architecture and BA Interior Architecture |
| Winter term 20/21 | Building Material Sciences, with Javier Martin, Berlin International University, BA Interior Architecture |