Maria Villalobos Hernandez Maria Villalobos Hernandez

Maria A. Villalobos H., an Associate Professor at IIT and Director of the Master in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism, is a global professional. Fluent in five languages, she has gained her Master’s in Design Studies from Harvard and a Ph.D. from the École Nationale Supérieure de Paysage in Versailles.

In 2017, Maria A. Villalobos H. made history as the first woman to win the top prize at the Venezuelan Architecture Biennale. Her winning project, the Rehabilitation of the Botanical Garden of Maracaibo, is featured in her publication Intangible Heritage: Expeditions, Observations, and Lectures by Roberto Burle Marx and Collaborators. Her co-authored book, Maurice Cox: The Heart and Soul of the City, is set to be published in 2025.

At IIT, she co-leads a National Science Foundation grant addressing stormwater infrastructure inequities. Recognizing her contributions, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture awarded her the 2022 Excellence in Design Studio Teaching Award.

Villalobos's impact extends beyond academia. She serves on advisory boards, including the National Association of Minority Landscape Architects, and is a member of Dark Matter University. At Botanical City, she leads the Englewood Agro-Eco District and the Bronzeville Trail, raising millions for public projects and embedding justice into the landscape.