Maria Loizou joined HOBEL as a new PhD assistant

Maria shares her experiences, first impressions, and future goals as she joins EPFL and the Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab. Let's see what she shares.

• You just arrived at the EPFL Fribourg - what are your first impressions?

I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The Fribourg campus feels like a hub for innovation in the construction sector, a kind of nest where ideas are nurtured and transformed. It’s really inspiring to be surrounded by people all working towards improving the built environment. It’s motivating to know that behind every door there’s potential for discussions, collaborations, and new projects. It makes me eager to get involved.

• Can you tell us more about your career in academia?

I completed my Master’s degree in Architecture at EPFL in 2023. Since then, I’ve been working in the industry at ESTIA SA, a Building Physics office, where part of the work involved developing data analysis methods to assess embodied energy and help optimise building design. I also had the chance to be involved in rebuiLT, a student-led project where we constructed a community pavilion using reused construction elements and low-tech systems. Both experiences gave me a solid sense of the gap between theory and practice, and showed me how different it is to work on something for a client compared to doing research. What struck me most was the clear need to go deeper into the topic of embodied energy. There’s real value in developing a stronger understanding of it, and in creating methods that professionals across the building process can use to reduce indirect emissions through design choices. My research journey is really just beginning now with HOBEL. I’m excited to explore the link between Indoor Air Quality and embodied energy in the context of renovation. It’s quite a new direction in the field. We’ll be working to connect health and sustainability, which is something I think the industry really needs.

• What are you most excited about in your appointment at the Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab?

I’m really looking forward to the exchanges with researchers, people in the construction industry, and with building users themselves. That mix of perspectives is where interesting things happen. I’m also excited about making complex research topics accessible, translating them into clear ideas and tools that can actually be used by people in the field.

• What will your research focus on over the coming year?

To start with, I’ll be doing a literature review on how renovation strategies affect Indoor Air Quality and embodied CO2 emissions, separately. Then I’ll look into whether there’s already work done on how the two are linked, and if not, try to outline a strategy for approaching it myself. My PhD is part of the European Horizon project INBLANC, so I’ll be working with case study buildings from that project. Having real examples will help make the research more concrete and grounded in reality.

• What inspires you about the built environment of the future and its research paths?

The built environment is essential. It protects us, shapes how we live, and now more than ever it has to adapt to the realities of climate change. What inspires me is how it’s constantly evolving. There are so many angles to it, technical, social, environmental, and being part of that ongoing transformation is really motivating. Whether it’s new materials, circular design strategies, or simply rethinking how we inhabit space, there’s always something to learn and explore.

• Whenever you’re not doing research, what are you interested in?

I love being outdoors and making the most of the sunshine and nature. I feel really grateful to be in Switzerland, the natural surroundings are incredible. I also enjoy live music and photography, and spending time with friends and family is really important to me. I’m always keen on anything that brings connection.