Background & Career
Can you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I am a registered ARB Architect, a RIBA Chartered Architect and an accredited RIBA Client Adviser, currently the only one in Lincolnshire. I have practised architecture for over 25 years, working with practices in London, Sheffield, Lincoln, Liverpool and Hull on complex and award-winning projects for both public and private clients.
What inspired you to become an architect?
I have always been driven by a passion for high‑quality architecture that genuinely respond to a client’s brief and budget. Architecture allows me to combine creativity with problem-solving and technical rigour, while shaping how people experience and use spaces. I am particularly motivated by creating bespoke designs that are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable, and add long-term value.
What types of projects have you worked on previously?
I have worked across a broad range of project types and scales. These include complex education facilities for Lincolnshire County Council, such as Warren Wood Community School, an SEN centre of excellence, as well as several award‑winning university projects for the University of Lincoln, including the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, the Great Central Warehouse University Library, the Engine Shed Student Union and Performing Arts Centre.
I have also delivered community-led and heritage projects with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation, including an Age UK headquarters, a masterplan for Sleaford town centre, and the redevelopment of ecclesiastical buildings.
What are your key areas of expertise or specialisms?
My key areas of expertise include delivering projects from feasibility and concept design through to completion and post‑occupancy evaluation. I specialise in quality bespoke architecture, education and community buildings, heritage and adaptive reuse projects, and client‑focused project delivery.
As a Chartered Architect and accredited RIBA Client Adviser, I am skilled at guiding clients through complex processes with clarity and transparency. My work is underpinned by collaboration, thoughtful detailing, and a commitment to sustainability and design quality.
Joining RDC
What attracted you to RDC?
What attracted me to this role is the long-standing professional relationship I have built with Robbie. We first worked together in 2007 on Warren Wood Community School, where we developed a strong working relationship.
Since then, our paths have crossed regularly, and he has remained a trusted and approachable source of planning advice. I have also consistently heard positive feedback about the wider team, reinforcing my own experience.
When I decided earlier this year to return to practice, it felt natural to get in touch, and when the opportunity arose, it was a very positive next step.
What are you most excited about in your new role?
I am most excited about being part of a collaborative team environment again and the opportunity to share ideas, knowledge and experience with others on a day‑to‑day basis. While I have valued leading my own practice, I am really looking forward to working closely within a team structure and contributing to collective problem‑solving and design development.
I am also excited about the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden my experience by working on different types of projects. Engaging with new sectors, methodologies and approaches will allow me to continue developing professionally while bringing my own experience and perspective to the role.
What do you hope to bring to the team?
I hope to bring a combination of experience, professionalism and a collaborative approach to the team. With over 20 years in practice, I can contribute a strong understanding of the architectural process from concept through to delivery, helping to support high‑quality outcomes while remaining mindful of programme, budget and client expectations.
I am keen to share my knowledge where helpful, particularly around design development, project coordination and client communication, while also learning from others and embracing new ways of working. I value open dialogue and teamwork and aim to contribute positively to the studio culture by being approachable, supportive and engaged.
Approach to Architecture
My approach to architecture is rooted in collaboration and thoughtful design. I believe that the best outcomes are achieved through open dialogue with clients, consultants and stakeholders, ensuring aspirations and constraints are understood from the outset. Every project is approached with the same level of commitment, regardless of scale or complexity, and is guided by a strong respect for context, brief and budget.
I consider design, function and construction together from the earliest stages, allowing ideas to evolve logically and efficiently from concept through to delivery. I place great importance on translating complex requirements into well‑considered, buildable solutions that are both pragmatic and refined, with careful attention to detail and long‑term performance.
Sustainability, social value and user experience sit at the heart of my work. I aim to create architecture that is engaging, responsible and meaningful, spaces that support the people who use them.
What do you enjoy most about working in architecture?
What I enjoy most about working in architecture is the combination of creativity, collaboration and purpose. I find great satisfaction in translating a client’s brief into a thoughtful built response, and in seeing ideas evolve from initial conversations and sketches through to completed spaces that people genuinely use and value.
I particularly enjoy the collaborative nature of the profession, working closely with clients, consultants, contractors and wider stakeholders to solve complex challenges and achieve the best possible outcomes. Architecture also offers a unique balance between design, technical rigour and social responsibility, and I take pride in creating spaces that are not only well designed, but also sustainable, functional and meaningful for the communities they serve.
More about you
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy taking time to relax. I spend a lot of time walking my dog, I also enjoy catching up with friends and family, whether that’s over a meal or simply spending quality time together.
I love to travel whenever I can, as experiencing different places, cultures and buildings is both personally enriching and a continual source of inspiration for my work as an architect.
Favourite place, building, or city for architecture inspiration?
I love travelling to cities and simply experiencing their architecture alongside everyday life.
I’m drawn to architecture that is rich in detail and atmosphere — places that feel layered, expressive and lived‑in, where you can sense the stories, craftsmanship and thought behind them. Experiencing different cities and cultures is endlessly inspiring, both personally and professionally, and always influences how I think about design.
We’re delighted to have Maria on board and look forward to the experience and perspective she will bring to the team.
Get in touch with Maria via M.Karaolides@rdc-landplan.co.uk
