Partner, Gray Puksand
Juror
Maria Correia is a highly experienced design professional and partner at Gray Puksand, where she leads the design team at their Brisbane studio. With over 20 years of international experience, Maria has worked across various sectors, including interior design, workspace, retail, luxury, fashion, beauty, financial services, and technology. Her focus is on delivering relevant, innovative, sustainable and intelligent design solutions that resonate with the needs of end users.
Maria is known for her ability to transition seamlessly from strategy to creative solutions by leveraging insights and research to uncover big ideas. She fosters collaboration within multidisciplinary teams to craft designs that not only function effectively but also form an emotional connection with users. This emotional connection encompasses how spaces feel and focuses on inclusivity, ensuring environments are sustainable and welcoming for people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
Her leadership approach emphasises socially conscious, diverse, and inclusive spaces, ensuring that users feel, inspired, engaged, respected, valued, and empowered within the environments she creates.