The Forge: new frontiers in whole life carbon reduction
Whether an (almost) all-renewables portfolio could provide the required clean energy, and whether it is realisable quickly enough remains a matter of debate.
She began her career as an architecture student in Athens, before advancing to an MSc in Adaptive Architecture and Computation from the Bartlett, UCL.She says that this experience has led to a ‘deep interest in algorithmic design and new technologies in engineering.’.
Her initial computational design work for Foster + Partners saw her involved with major international projects, including the New International Airport of Mexico City, a role she says allowed her to ‘experiment with the algorithmic approach to architecture, focusing on complex geometries for large scale projects,’ and which, ‘involved automation of design processes through the whole project lifespan from concept to detailing.’.Maria says that currently, working at Bryden Wood has allowed her to ‘focus on the core of her interest,’ where she is actively engaged in pushing the boundaries of data-driven design.. For the past twelve months, Mamoura has led the development of the company’s ‘Rapid Engineering Model’ (REM), which Board Director Phil Langley describes as ‘a radical and disruptive new approach to automated design for Highways England, developed by Bryden Wood Technology Ltd. for the Smart Motorways Programme (SMP).’.Assembled from a range of different technologies, rather than a single piece of software, REM is ‘digitally driven and collaboratively enabled,’ comments Langley, which means that ‘SMP schemes can be designed automatically - in a much smarter and faster way.’.
Langley commends Maria’s role at the helm of the multidisciplinary project team, comprising a diverse range of specialists from architects, engineers and computational designers, to GIS specialists and other software developers.‘This requires not only a deep understanding of many different design disciplines and digital platforms,’ he says, ‘but also a considerate approach to organising and managing diverse team members, who all benefit from Maria’s technical rigour and creative outlook, which has helped build a unique, rich and inspiring project.’.
Maria credits her individual ‘way of thinking,’ taking initiative and pushing projects in ‘a more ambitious direction,’ as the primary factor behind her success at Bryden Wood.. ‘As a matter of principle,’ she says, ‘I weigh creativity and innovation far above a task-based approach to work and my key contribution comes through bringing all these elements together in one piece.’ Whilst Mamoura is acknowledged as a natural leader, she appreciates the importance of teamwork and expresses her belief that the first point of importance is actually, ‘respect to the individuals,’ and an ‘understanding that everyone is unique.’.
As for her current status as a finalist in the WICE Awards, Maria considers the very nomination itself a reward for her work, speculating thoughtfully that competitions such as WICE provide not only an opportunity to forge new and positive role models for young women, but also serve as an important step on the path towards what she predicts will ultimately be a gender-equal future.. Elite Sher won the Best Woman Software Engineer category.At first glance, landing a role within our team might seem out of reach for a school leaver with passionate interest, but little or no practical experience.Process engineering in practice: GSK’S Parma facility design and Factory in a Box.
Another interesting thing about Design to Value, is that it’s very suited to uncertainty.At GSK, I found myself working on a pharmaceutical project in Parma.
The goal was to manufacture a drug called an attachment inhibitor to benefit people with HIV and AIDS, for whom other treatments are no longer working.The drug was in development and GSK wanted to get the product to market as quickly as possible..