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Maria Ogrydziak Architecture
DAVIS, CA
For Maria Ogrydziak, architecture is like painting—Chinese brush painting,
to be exact. The goal is to make a cohesive whole from separate elements,
each piece with its own set of dynamics. You must think holistically, but
carefully identify each part and know its role.
Maria has always loved to paint, but it wasn't until her father's engineering
career took the family to Taiwan that she fell in love with Chinese brush
painting. Without a Western equivalent, the practice held an intrigue for
Maria. She saw the beautiful connection between the brain, the hands,
and the resulting piece of work—none of which were possible without the
other. It opened up a whole new world of creation. Every inflection, every
movement, every thought plays into the elements that create the final
product; nothing is accidental and everything works in harmony. This craft
has stayed with Maria and carried her into her work as an architect, and
even as a sculptor. Maria's sculptures have been exhibited at the Oakland
Museum.
After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where
she was student body president, Maria founded her namesake California
firm in 1985. Here, she became well known for her valley-inspired designs.
And although every project has a distinct sense of the California landscape,
Maria is continually inspired by her years of traveling. Born in Stockholm to
Estonian parents, she lived in Canada and Taipei, Taiwan, before landing in
Davis, California. Each of these cultures have had a distinct influence on her
more than 400 residential, retail, and worship spaces.
