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My story...
Hi, I’m Maria, the Healthy Building Designer. I’m a Building and Interior Designer with over 20 years in the construction industry, specialising in creating healthy, sustainable, and inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. I use Biophilic Design, Building Biology, and Neuroarchitecture techniques to create spaces that support both physical and mental well-being.
My journey began while renovating my own home, when I developed a chronic neurological condition called Vestibular Migraines. That experience showed me just how much our surroundings influence our health, and it inspired me to educate others on how the spaces we live, work, and spend time in can profoundly affect our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
For me, design goes far beyond aesthetics. It is about building with intention, using materials that are safe for people and the planet, improving indoor air quality, and creating lighting, acoustics, and layouts that soothe rather than overstimulate the nervous system.
What I found most surprising in my studies was how little attention is given to health and inclusivity. While policies focus on wheelchair access or green practices, they often overlook invisible disabilities and indoor environments. Green building does not always mean healthy building, and toxic materials can harm not only occupants but also tradespeople and ecosystems.
Through my services, courses, and resources, I share practical solutions to create environments that are truly supportive. I also advocate for change in the industry, raising awareness about the urgent need for healthier and more inclusive practices.
I believe everyone deserves spaces that heal, not harm. If you are ready to transform your home, workplace, or community into a place that nurtures well-being, inclusivity and sustainability, I would love you to join me on this journey.
"My mission is to ignite a movement within the construction industry, driving change to create spaces that nurture our health, embrace inclusivity, and respect the environment."
Qualifications & Expertise
My career spans more than 20 years in the construction industry, beginning as a multi-discipline engineering drafter where I spent a decade working across diverse projects. From there, I transitioned into design, completing a Diploma of Building Design followed by a Diploma of Interior Design.
Wanting to expand beyond conventional design, I went on to study Sustainable House Design at the University of Tasmania, Building Biology through the Building Biology Institute, and numerous Inclusive Design courses. This blend of technical expertise and specialised training has given me a holistic perspective on how to create spaces that are healthy, sustainable, and inclusive.
Over the years, I have worked on a wide variety of projects, from outdoor living areas and commercial spaces to residential homes and even tiny houses. This experience has allowed me to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in every type of environment, and to apply creative solutions that prioritise both people and the planet.
How I Can Help You?
Creating a home or workspace can feel overwhelming, especially when you want it to be healthy, sustainable, and inclusive. My role is to make that process easier, clearer, and more achievable for you.
Through my services, I guide you in choosing safer materials, improving air quality, managing acoustics and lighting, and designing layouts that reduce stress rather than add to it. Whether you want hands-on design support, a detailed report on how to improve your space, or the tools to do it yourself, I provide practical solutions to fit your needs.
I can help you with the following:
"Together, we can create spaces that truly support and nurture us all. Let's take charge and demand healthier, more inclusive environments for ourselves and future generations..."
Media & Partnerships..
Let's Collaborate
EVENTS
Invite Maria to your next event to enlighten and motivate your audience towards a more sustainable and health-conscious approach to design and living.
INTERVIEWS
Maria can share her expertise and stories on your podcast or media platform to inform and educate your audience about creating healthier, happier spaces for them and the environment.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
Through blog posts, regular articles or advice columns,
Maria can empower and educate your audience to create a difference in people's lives and our planet...
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PARTNER WITH MARIA
Are you a business committed to promoting wellness, sustainability, or eco-friendly practices? If so, let's collaborate to make a significant impact together!
Maria: The Healthy Building Designer Leading a Revolution in Sustainable and Inclusive Design
Maria, known as "The Healthy Building Designer," is a building and interior designer, a Building Biology Advocate, a mum, and someone living with and raising awareness about Invisible disabilities. Maria's story is one of resilience and determination, creating a movement to transform our living and working spaces into healthy, sustainable, and inclusive environments.
Maria deeply understands the importance of true inclusion. Despite progress in inclusivity, policies still lag behind in accommodating people with all kinds of disabilities. Maria’s personal journey highlights the significant gaps in our current policies and designs, which often fail to consider the diverse needs of individuals with various disabilities, including neurological disorders.
Maria stands at the forefront of a movement dedicated to redefining the nexus between architecture and well-being. With a strong foundation in building biology, biophilic design, neuroarchitecture, and a personal commitment to creating environments that heal, she is a powerful advocate for healthier building practices.
Maria is pushing for policies that ensure green products are not only sustainable but also health-friendly, and for greater inclusion in design that considers the diverse needs of those with not just visible disabilities but also less visible yet equally debilitating and challenging conditions such as neurological and cognitive disabilities.
Her unique perspective as someone who has navigated life with an invisible disability provides her with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those with neurological conditions. This insight fuels her passion for inclusive design that caters to everyone’s needs.
She is also a vocal advocate for eco-friendly and low-toxin living, Maria's mission is driven by her own experiences with the transformative power of well-considered spaces and how common building materials and household products can have a huge health impact for all.
Her expertise lies in empowering others to make informed choices about the materials and products they use in their homes. Through her advocacy work, underscored by a commitment to education and empowerment, Maria aims to elevate industry standards and lead a charge towards more mindful, health-oriented and inclusive design practices.
For those seeking to join this vital, life-enhancing mission, Maria invites everyone to explore the resources and support available on her site. With Maria's guidance, together we can create spaces that not only protect our health but also nurture our bodies and souls.
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