maria-isabel-paz-suarez

María Isabel Paz Suarez

Professor
(+593 2) 2971700
Career
Professional Profile

María Isabel Paz is a licensed architect from the University of Virginia (USA) who also holds a Master's degree in Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (USA). She is an assistant professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in Ecuador and is the current coordinator of the USFQ School of Architecture’s Drawing curriculum. Her contribution to the School of Architecture is focused on implementing creative thinking in architectural education. Her Latin American roots have sparked her inherent interest in imagining and exploring the development of Ecuadorian cities through creative research methods. Cities of interest include Quito, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and San Cristóbal (Galápagos). María Isabel’s research is enhanced by the use of hybrid drawings – which implement photographic processes such as cyanotypes, to represent the growth of cities. Her professional career includes work at Carlos Zapata Studio in the United States and stints with several Ecuadorian companies. Today, María Isabel directs her own architecture firm Materia Consulting & Design, where she merges the practice of design, construction, and project management. 

Interests

Personal: Photography, Hand Drawing, Redesign of Ecuadorian handicrafts