Maria Bninski is a thoughtful architect with over fifteen years of experience. The practice of architecture first captured her interest during college when she got lost and wandered into the studio space at UVA’s School of Architecture. She was drawn in by the discipline’s combination of the joy of making with a sense of social and cultural responsibility. Her first work with the built environment focused on sustainability and affordable housing.  

In her tenure at VMDO, Maria has become a respected thought and design leader for K12 projects, specifically early childhood educational spaces. She brings a curious mind, a passion for community and client engagement, and a deep knowledge of educational psychology to every project. Her work on the capacity study for Charlottesville City Schools translated into a system-wide reconfiguration project that includes Charlottesville Middle School and the Charlottesville Early Childhood Center.