Mariana Popescu

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

Zürich, Switzerland / Romanian

👩 she/her/hers

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

😁 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.

Mariana uses algorithms to turn knitted textiles into concrete buildings to save money and time while also reducing environmental impact.

ABOUT THE POSTER

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.