Maria Araya León
Partner and Director of Research at Qualia Estudio. Dr. in Architecture and Ergonomist
María José Araya León is an Architect, PhD in Architecture, Master in Industrial Design and Ergonomist, with a solid track record in applied projects and research. Her work focuses on topics such as the biological and psychological bases of the architectural experience, physical environmental well-being, the systemic relationship between the built environment and human beings, the principles of neuroarchitecture, environmental and physical ergonomics, and evidence-based design. She has collaborated with architecture and design studios, academic institutions and research centers, as well as advising companies to optimize their spaces with a focus on well-being and scientific evidence.
She is currently a partner at Qualia Estudio, a consultancy specialized in measuring and maximizing the social impact of architecture through neuroarchitectural tools and methodologies.
In the academic field, she has been a research associate at Elisava Research since 2016, linked to the “Decoding Well-being” line, and an academic at the University of Santiago de Chile since 2013, with teaching experience at institutions such as Universidad Diego Portales and Elisava. Her training includes a PhD in Architecture (UIC and Elisava, 2017-2021), a Master in Design from the Polytechnic of Milan (2010-2012), a Diploma in Ergonomics (USACH, 2006-2007), and the title of Architect from the same university (2000-2006). As an architect and designer, she has worked at maLeon, her own studio, collaborated with prominent architects in Europe and co-founded the Factos studio in Chile.