Computational Design Lead at Mott MacDonald in Auckland and ArchitectureNow columnist Maria Mingallon has been honoured among 39 other global design professionals in the Autodesk 40 under 40: Champions of Construction programme. Honourees come from all over the world – The U.S., Hong Kong, the Philippines and more – but Maria was the only New Zealand-based professional to make the list. 

Autodesk notes, “While hundreds of accomplished and up and coming professionals in the AEC industry were nominated for the program, our list features some of the leading talent emerging from top organizations and projects around the world.” And, the organisation calls these 40 individuals some of the “biggest disruptors and change-makers in construction inspiring us all to build a better industry and world”. 

Mingallon leads computational design and automation across Mott MacDonald’s 140 countries and has an impressive CV of architecture and engineering study and experience. Autodesk says, “Despite the remote challenges of 2020, Maria rapidly pivoted the format to a virtual coding club, pulling people together remotely. Aside from work, she was eager to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Maria collaborated with the Coronavirus Makers Movement, helping out the community of people who assisted front line workers by 3D printing face shields and other protective equipment to fight COVID-19. During those months, the strangulation of the supply chain prompted a movement that had empowered those who once were 3D printing hobbyists to act when society most needed it. Maria has owned a Makerbot Replicator2 since 2012, and she has inspired several Mott MacDonald offices to include 3D printing as a great design and prototyping tool.”

On top of all this, she also authors our very own Future of Design series, where she brings emerging digital technologies to the masses. Congratulations, Maria!