CURRICULUM vITAE


Experience


Planner,  City of Pittsburgh, Present

Architecture Instructor, University of Pittsburgh, Present

Urban Designer,  Urban Design Associates,  August 2022 - June 2024

Research Fellow, Gensler, Summer 2022

EDUCATION

Master of Architecture, University of Miami, 2022

Bachelor of Arts in Public Health, American University, 2017

FORTES

Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Rhino 3D, SketchUp, ArcGIS



CONNECT
email  ·  linkedin  ·  instagram




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05. HOME
ABOUT
PORTFOLIO
SOME PLACES COLLECTIVE
CITY WALKS
BLOG

 
THANK YOU FOR VISITING.  ALL WORK IS THE DESIGN AND THOUGHT OF MARIA CADENA. PLEASE REQUEST WRITTEN PERMISSION BEFORE SHARING.THANK YOU FOR VISITING.  ALL WORK IS THE DESIGN AND THOUGHT OF MARIA CADENA. PLEASE REQUEST WRITTEN PERMISSION BEFORE SHARING.
01.About
Contact // CV
 

Maria Cadena is an Ecuadorian-American designer, planner, educator, researcher, and visual storyteller, whose interests lie on the intersection of the built environment and human health and wellness. 

Most recently, her research has focused on the perception of hygiene and sanitation facilities located in urban areas.  

In 2025, Maria founded the Some Places Collective, a platform for early career designers (and design enthusiasts alike!) to elevate their design ethos through networking, mentorship, and collaboration. 

She is based out of Pittsburgh, PA, USA, with her partner Brandon and her Chiweenie, Bean. 

02.Portfolio
Learning from Stone, Mallorca, Spain
Not THAT Pittsburgh Potty
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Reynold’s Park Bridge, North Miami Beach, FL USA
NMBYC, 
North Miami Beach, FL, USA

Sutro Baths
San Francisco, CA, USA
Lüften
Germany
“These Sites Save Lives”
Miami, FL, USA

03.Some Places Collective

The Some Places Collective is a space for emerging designers to collaborate, create, and grow together.

Inspired by the collaborative nature of design studio critiques, this space encourages low-pressure open dialogue and shared learning. Through workshops, intensives, and critique sessions, we exchange skills, ideas, and opportunities across the built environment creative disciplines. 

Whether you’re developing a thesis project, seeking collaborators for an architectural competition, or simply looking for thoughtful conversation with other in the design world, the Some Places Collective is a support system focused on generosity, experimentation, and learning from peers. 

TAKE ME THERE