Community partner Maria Ogrydziak is an architect with a clear vision for how buildings can strengthen a region — through the lives of the people in it and how a community sees itself.
Years ago, as AIA Central Valley’s president, Ogrydziak founded the Experience Architecture festival to explore and share what makes California’s Central Valley architecture distinct. This October marks the festival’s 15th year, having thrived through leadership changes and the pandemic with an evolving mix of tours, gatherings and conferences. Since its beginning, it has hosted more than 160 events that invite the community to experience design firsthand, from city bike tours to family-centric children’s observational drawing activities, connecting architects, residents and civic leaders.
“Experience Architecture spotlights the architecture of our region and gives the community a chance to understand it on a deeper level,” she says.
Across a four-decade career, Ogrydziak has designed hundreds of the region’s most functional and beautiful buildings and homes, including private residences, places of worship and community spaces. She treats architecture as part of the community’s fabric, supporting private and public life and giving form to people’s cultures, histories and connection to the landscape.
“I believe a building should serve the people in it and the community around it. When architecture can also lift the whole region, that’s a great satisfaction.”— Maria Ogrydziak, AIA Architect
“I believe a building should serve the people in it and the community around it,” she says. “When architecture can also lift the whole region, that’s a great satisfaction.”
To encourage a closer look at the Central Valley’s architectural vernacular, she shared insights from eight of her residential works in her book Framing the Valley, which debuted as Amazon’s #1 New Release in Vernacular Architecture.
Beyond design, Ogrydziak has helped shape housing policy. She serves on AIA California’s Housing Steering Committee, providing state-level guidance on permanent supportive housing.
Locally, she is the design partner for Yolo Community Builders, building on the success of Paul’s Place, her four-story supportive-housing project in Davis for local unhoused residents.
“I visit with the residents and staff at Paul’s Place and watch how the building works for them,” she says. “I’m eager to apply what I learn to what’s next: four new tiny-home village projects aimed at helping more people find stability and hope.”
To learn more about Maria Ogrydziak, visit www.oarch.com.
