Mariya Gospodinova is an accomplished architect and certified Passive House designer. She is a member of both the Chamber of Architects in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria. With over a decade of experience, Maria has led and contributed to numerous architectural projects across Germany and Bulgaria, specializing in interior design and residential buildings with a social focus, while emphasizing sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.
As a Project Manager at HGMB Architekten / Henning Shin Architekten in Düsseldorf since 2016, Maria has been integral to the execution of various projects across all planning phases. Her responsibilities include developing designs, coordinating with technical consultants, managing project phases from concept to execution, preparing permits, supervising construction, and ensuring alignment with client requirements.
Her early career includes working with Raum für Architektur in Bonn and A&A Architects Ltd in Sofia, where she honed her skills in designing energy-efficient buildings and managing large-scale projects.
Education
Maria holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy (UACEG) in Sofia.
She further specialized in designing energy-efficient buildings as a student-scholar at KIT Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie in Germany, supported by the German Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU).
With a creative spirit that extends beyond architecture, Maria also studied photography at Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Rome and completed courses in brand design, management, and UX at the Art Institute Europe. This diverse skill set enables her to combine technical expertise with an artistic vision, crafting spaces that are both functional and visually inspiring. She has participated in numerous conferences and delivered presentations on the topics of social and energy-efficient architecture.
Awards and Recognitions
- 2015 – First prize in a national regional competition in North Rhine-Westphalia for a housing complex, HGMB Architekten.
- 2010 – Nomination in the annual national student competition by Saint-Gobain Isover for energy-efficient architecture, “Renovation of an old factory in Paris,” completed as part of a team.
- 2009 – First place in a student competition for designing an open-air aviation museum at the Burgas Airport in Bulgaria.
Notable Projects
One of Maria’s independent projects includes the redevelopment of Quartier Steinstraße in Gladbeck, Germany. This involved renovating an old building to meet modern safety and energy efficiency standards, adding new floors for residential or office spaces, and creating communal areas for social activities.
Maria’s expertise in sustainable design, conceptual thinking, and visual storytelling makes her a valuable contributor to the Bulgarian Pavilion at Expo 2025. Her international experience and aesthetic perspective will ensure that the pavilion reflects Bulgaria’s innovative spirit and commitment to a sustainable future.
Bridging architecture, design, and photography
- Beauty, innovation, and sustainability – three principles that inspire a new perspective on architecture, art, photography, and the digital world through collaboration and empathy.