María Araya León is an architect, Ph.D. in Architecture, and partner and co-founder of Qualia Estudio, where she leads applied research in neuroarchitecture, evidence-based design, ergonomics, and human well-being. From this platform, she promotes the transfer of scientific knowledge into real-world projects, developing methodologies to understand how built environments influence perception, health, behavior, and everyday experience. In parallel, she is an academic and researcher at Elisava Research, Faculty of Design and Engineering of Barcelona, UVic-UCC, within the Well-being & Care through Design research line. Her work integrates the psychological and biological foundations of architectural experience to decode the relationship between mind, body, and the built environment. She has participated in public and private research projects, international conferences, and scientific publications aimed at bridging the gap between science and design practice, promoting healthier, more inclusive, and conscious spaces. Her approach connects research, professional practice, and advanced education in contemporary applied design.
Qualia Estudio is an architecture, research, and strategic consulting practice dedicated to advancing human well-being through the built environment. Drawing on neuroscience, environmental psychology, evidence-based design, and impact measurement, the studio helps organizations and institutions transform spaces into strategic assets that enhance health, human experience, organizational performance, and social value. Its interdisciplinary approach integrates scientific research, design, data analytics, and innovation to develop strategies, architectural projects, and methodologies that enable both the design and evaluation of the built environment's real impact on people. Through consulting, research, education, and international collaboration, Qualia Estudio bridges architecture, science, and technology to create healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable environments. Guided by the belief that design should be both human-centered and measurable, Qualia Estudio works with organizations, public institutions, and private companies to develop spaces that generate lasting, measurable, and positive impact for people and society.
