Introducing the Holcim Foundation Fellowship Cohort for Europe in London

Our cohort of Fellows will work with Matthew Heywood and Michael Woodrow at UCL to observe, analyse, question, propose and design interdisciplinary strategies for transforming our built environment - using the London Plan as framework for exploration.

Fellows will visit case study projects in London, meet practicing professionals, take part in presentations and learn about the innovative work of our partner firms – AL__A, BDP, Buro Happold, Eckersley O’Callaghan, and Expedition.

Domenica Albornoz | Architect from the Central University of Ecuador, currently pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Architectural Restoration, Rehabilitation, and Urbanism. Her work focuses on the restoration of architectural heritage, inclusive urban design, and the adaptive reuse of existing structures. With experience in architectural, graphic, and industrial design, she has also worked as a corporate space designer and served as a translator at the Embassy of South Korea in Ecuador. Passionate about sustainable and accessible architecture, she values collaborative, context-sensitive approaches that honour cultural and social dynamics. | LinkedIn

Solomon Ayres | Master’s graduate in Engineering and Architecture from UCL, with experience in self-build housing and fire-safe engineering. Raised in Chile and the UK, he developed a deep interest in climate resilience, modern infrastructure, and socially responsive urban development. His academic background combines architectural, environmental, and structural engineering, which he applies through part-time consultancy and a PhD focused on fire safety in sustainable construction. he has led student societies and fostered student–industry collaboration. He is committed to resilient, innovative design that addresses the challenges of climate change and evolving urban environments. | LinkedIn

Anna Baumann | Originally from Hamburg, Germany, she moved to Copenhagen to study Architectural Technology. Her work bridges design and craftsmanship with a strong focus on sustainability. She was the first woman to receive a graduate award in her discipline. Early experience in a small studio revealed challenges in sustainable building, prompting her to pursue a Master’s in Architectural Technology. Her current thesis explores repurposing packaging plastics into durable construction materials. She aims to improve the built environment through technically informed, sustainable solutions as she re-enters professional practice. | LinkedIn

Nahom Teklu Bekele | A sustainable architecture specialist with interdisciplinary experience across architecture, urbanism, design, and curation, advocating for human-centred design. A 2023 Chevening Scholar, he earned an MSc in Architecture & the Sustainable Environment from the University of Kent with distinction, researching BREEAM-certified building performance. He graduated with first-class honours from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, where his thesis was nationally nominated. A DAAD 2025 fellow with The Museums Lab, he also received the Santander Open Academy award for sustainability work in London. His projects reflect a commitment to innovation, leadership, and global collaboration in the built environment. | LinkedIn

Juan Bugarin | Architect with Master’s in Mass Timber Design from IAAC, currently pursuing an MSc in Sustainable Design, Construction, and Management of the Built Environment through the Erasmus Mundus MBUILD program. His research at DIGI@FEUP3DC in Porto focuses on 3D Printed Earth Construction. Over a decade of design experience and a background in teaching Ecodesign, he has contributed to projects across the U.S., Spain, Portugal, and Mexico. His work centres on sustainability, circular economy, and innovative construction methods using natural materials. He explores integrated design strategies that advance climate resilience through material innovation and digital fabrication. | LinkedIn

Ching-Tai Chang | Holds a Master of Engineering in Engineering and Architectural Design from The Bartlett, UCL, where he developed interdisciplinary expertise in structural and environmental design. He applies culturally sensitive, people-focused approaches to adaptive reuse and heritage conservation. His work blends parametric and traditional techniques, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. A LEED Green Associate, he has contributed to energy and daylight modelling at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. As a Bartlett ambassador and teaching assistant, he supports academic outreach and mentorship, aiming to promote resilient, climate-conscious architecture grounded in both innovation and tradition. | LinkedIn

Natalie Feakins | Final-year MEng Civil Engineering student at UCL, with a strong interest in sustainability and circularity in the built environment. Completed an exchange year at ETH Zürich, focusing on sustainability assessment frameworks in the Global South for humanitarian applications. Passionate about the intersection of engineering, social impact, and environmental responsibility. Actively involved in student-led initiatives addressing global development challenges. Interested in how governance, policy, and innovation can drive long-term change. Outside academics, enjoys hiking, skiing, and travel as these are experiences that inspire a people-focused view of the built environment. Committed to advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable futures. | LinkedIn

Maria Heinrich | Spanish-German designer, researcher, and educator with a Master’s in Architecture from TU Delft. Her work explores post-capitalist ecologies through care, art, and storytelling. Formerly a researcher at the Nieuwe Instituut, she co-curated Garden Futures with the Vitra Design Museum. Her freelance projects span rural building in Spain and Japan, book editing, academic research, and art commissions. Since 2024, she leads Casa del Curato, transforming a derelict Spanish building into an artist residency. Maria sees architecture as a process and teaches accordingly, having taught at TU Delft and now co-developing an experience-based academic model in Berlin. | LinkedIn

Lilly Huber | Completed an MEng in Engineering and Architectural Design at The Bartlett, UCL, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates structural engineering with architectural insight. Her academic work focuses on sustainable structural systems, with a dissertation on hybrid timber-concrete performance under fire loads. Gained professional experience through internships in Germany and the UK. Contributed to energy performance analysis in consultancy, improving workflows for environmental assessments. At UCL, supports teaching in architecture and engineering. Committed to sustainable design, with additional experience in tutoring and refugee support, and a passion for inclusive, resilient built environments. | LinkedIn

Beatrice Maxmillan Mhagama | Final-year MSc candidate in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design, a DAAD-funded double-degree program from the University of Stuttgart and Ain Shams University. With an architectural background from Ardhi University, her work focuses on sustainable construction, inclusive urban development, and community empowerment. As a member of Tanzania Women Architects for Humanity, she has led projects including compressed earth block training and community construction workshops. She previously worked as an architectural consultant in Dar es Salaam. Grounded in practice, she advocates for climate-responsive, low-tech design rooted in local contexts and driven by co-creation with the communities she serves. | LinkedIn

Andre Arruda Navarro | Brazilian architect whose work integrates sustainable design, community engagement, and material innovation. Since graduating in 2020, he has gained experience in construction, architectural practice, and BIM implementation. He has also contributed to participatory design and natural building projects using bamboo and rammed earth. From 2023 to 2025, he completed a Master’s at IAAC in Barcelona, specializing in sustainable timber architecture. His thesis focused on Design for Disassembly, the Circular Economy, and Cooperative Housing. Committed to ecological and social resilience, he explores adaptable, community-rooted design solutions. | LinkedIn

Anastasia Pidiaki | Completed an MEng in Engineering and Architectural Design at The Bartlett, UCL, bringing an interdisciplinary approach that combines structural engineering with architectural insight. Her academic focus includes sustainable structural systems, with a dissertation on hybrid timber-concrete performance under fire loads. She has gained experience through internships in Germany and the UK. In consultancy, contributed to energy performance analysis and improved data workflows for environmental assessments. At UCL, she supports teaching in architecture and engineering. Committed to sustainable design, with experience in tutoring and refugee support, and a passion for inclusive, resilient spaces. | LinkedIn

Chara Pouliou | Greek architect and environmental designer based in Athens, with a BA and Integrated Master’s in Architecture from NTUA and an MSc in Sustainable Environmental Design from the Architectural Association in London. A Registered Architect and member of the Panhellenic Union of Architects, her work bridges research and practice with a focus on environmentally responsive design. She has earned recognition in national and European competitions, including a Young Talent nomination at the 2023 EU Mies Awards. Her experience spans architectural offices and research projects, with interests in bioclimatic design, circular economy, vernacular architecture, and sustainable urban development. | LinkedIn

Antonio Santa | Political scientist from Medellín, Colombia, with six years of experience in research across the public sector, museums, and academia. A recipient of the DAAD EPOS scholarship, currently pursuing an MSc in Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design, co-developing urban projects in Stuttgart and Cairo focused on strategic planning and climate-responsive design. Her master’s research explores community-led climate adaptation in Medellín, aligned with SDGs 11 and 13. Committed to fostering transformative resilience and well-being in cities, she aims to lead future urban initiatives rooted in climate justice and restorative approaches, with a strong belief in collective action for sustainable urban futures. | LinkedIn

Océane Seba | Architect and engineering graduate from the École d'Architecture de Paris-Malaquais and CNAM, combining architectural vision with technical precision. Her multidisciplinary approach has shaped contributions to international projects, including work with Jean Nouvel’s team on the Sharaan Desert Resort in Saudi Arabia and the sustainable design of a maternity ward in Tanzania with the Holcim Foundation. She also contributed to the Fencing Pavilion for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Passionate about sustainability, she focuses on structural reuse and addressing architectural obsolescence, aiming to rethink the built environment through low-impact, future-oriented design strategies. | LinkedIn

Muhammad Ridha Tantowi (Owi) | Architecture graduate and Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s student in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE), with studies at the University of Edinburgh, Lund University, and Ghent University. His thesis explores integrating fire safety engineering with BIM to improve interdisciplinary workflows and assessment quality. Passionate about sustainability, he has participated in international programs focused on environmental and youth issues since his undergraduate years. Professionally, he worked in Jakarta’s industrial estate sector, managing infrastructure, ensuring code compliance, and redesigning assets for added value. He aims to pursue a career as a fire engineer, focused on sustainable design and the built environment’s lifecycle management. | LinkedIn

Marta Varriale | Italian architecture student in her final year at the University of Naples. Her academic path is marked by international experiences, including Erasmus+ programs in Budapest (2023) and Toledo (2024), and a research collaboration with ENSA Nantes in 2025. Her thesis explores social housing in France, focusing on adaptive reuse and sustainable alternatives to demolition. Marta is driven by a commitment to inclusive, resilient design that respects cultural and architectural heritage. She approaches each project as a chance to learn, challenge norms, and contribute thoughtfully to the built environment through socially and environmentally responsive solutions.