Maria-Chiara Piccinelli joined David Chipperfield Architects in 2022 as the project architect for the successful LSE Firoz Lalji Global Hub competition, a project she continues to lead. She has over 15 years of professional experience working on complex and high-profile international projects at some of the world’s leading practices including Kengo Kuma & Associates where she was project architect for the V&A at Dundee, OMA and Amanda Levete Architects. She also ran her own architecture studio prior to joining the practice. In addition to her architectural work, Maria-Chiara teaches at the London School of Architecture, was an Architecture Ambassador for the RIBA National Schools programme and is actively involved in networks devoted to supporting and encouraging women working in the built environment. She holds a Master of Architecture from the Politecnico di Milano. Maria-Chiara was promoted to Associate Director in 2023.