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About the Studio
About the Studio
About the Studio
Studio of Futures
MLL ATELIER is an award-winning concept design studio creating strategic future-visions for pioneering organizations, cultures, and missions, including concept art and design that shapes future worlds through architecture and technology by fusing science-fiction thinking with visionary design-science.
Founded by the acclaimed Spatial Futurist, Maria Lorena Lehman.
Journal Essays Published
500+
Journal Essays Published
500+
Journal Essays Published
500+
Newsletter Subscribers
6K+
Newsletter Subscribers
6K+
Newsletter Subscribers
6K+
Web-Platform Users
1M+
Web-Platform Users
1M+
Web-Platform Users
1M+
Specialization
MLL ATELIER specializes in strategic future-visioning for environmental technology innovation, including prototyped concept designs from the future for pioneering missions, products, projects and experiences.
1.
Future Cities
2.
Architectural Technology
3.
User Interfaces / HUD
4.
XR Systems
5.
Bio-Architecture
6.
Meta-Structures
1.
Future Cities
2.
Architectural Technology
3.
User Interfaces / HUD
4.
XR Systems
5.
Bio-Architecture
6.
Meta-Structures
1.
Future Cities
2.
Architectural Technology
3.
User Interfaces / HUD
4.
XR Systems
5.
Bio-Architecture
6.
Meta-Structures
Research Timeline
Travel through the timeline of research milestones by Maria Lorena Lehman, founder of MLL ATELIER.
Studio Origin
Studio Origin
The call is upon us to not only solve for global problems, but to also solve for global possibility. While the latter is important to consider, it is the former that primarily drives my creative practice. I believe that when we reach for what we can become, we see better ways to solve for what we have not yet been.
The Founder
Maria Lorena Lehman is an award-winning Spatial Futurist, creating strategic future-visions for pioneering organizations, cultures, and missions, including concept art and design that shapes future worlds through architecture and technology by fusing science-fiction thinking with visionary design-science. Lehman is founder of MLL ATELIER® concept art and design studio — that wins a multitude of awards including the THA Boutique Design Firm of the Year Award for North America in Innovation & Design, as well as the Harvard University Digital Design Prize for the "most creative use of digital media in relation to the design professions". Maria Lorena Lehman is a graduate of Harvard University holding a Master in Design with Distinction specializing in Digital Media and Production Environments, as well as holding the Bachelor of Architecture with Honors from Virginia Tech. Her work is shown in galleries, art fairs, and museums internationally, including New York, Barcelona, Miami, London, and Paris.
By combining speculative design, systems thinking, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between humanity, technology, and the environment, Maria Lorena Lehman explores emerging trends, technologies, and societal shifts to design immersive, thought-provoking scenarios that challenge assumptions and inspire new possibilities for the future. Her work helps innovative organizations and pioneering leaders to forge into the unknown in ways that leverage new possibility, fostering collaboration and critical thinking so today's design choices beneficially shape near and far tomorrows. Focused on creating meaningful, innovative, and aesthetic futures, Lehman’s expertise in worldbuilding and foresight methodologies positions her as a transformative changemaker in future-focused design.
Maria Lorena Lehman is recipient of the Harmony for Humanity: Global Consciousness Art Prize, as well as the International Leonardo da Vinci Prize. Currently, Lehman serves as Mentor to postgraduate students at the Harvard GSD, and is widely published in a multitude of books, research journals, and is in numerous periodicals including Architect Magazine, The Architect's Journal, Rethinking the Future, ArchDaily, and Forbes.
The Founder
Maria Lorena Lehman is an award-winning Spatial Futurist, creating strategic future-visions for pioneering organizations, cultures, and missions, including concept art and design that shapes future worlds through architecture and technology by fusing science-fiction thinking with visionary design-science. Lehman is founder of MLL ATELIER® concept art and design studio — that wins a multitude of awards including the THA Boutique Design Firm of the Year Award for North America in Innovation & Design, as well as the Harvard University Digital Design Prize for the "most creative use of digital media in relation to the design professions". Maria Lorena Lehman is a graduate of Harvard University holding a Master in Design with Distinction specializing in Digital Media and Production Environments, as well as holding the Bachelor of Architecture with Honors from Virginia Tech. Her work is shown in galleries, art fairs, and museums internationally, including New York, Barcelona, Miami, London, and Paris.
By combining speculative design, systems thinking, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between humanity, technology, and the environment, Maria Lorena Lehman explores emerging trends, technologies, and societal shifts to design immersive, thought-provoking scenarios that challenge assumptions and inspire new possibilities for the future. Her work helps innovative organizations and pioneering leaders to forge into the unknown in ways that leverage new possibility, fostering collaboration and critical thinking so today's design choices beneficially shape near and far tomorrows. Focused on creating meaningful, innovative, and aesthetic futures, Lehman’s expertise in worldbuilding and foresight methodologies positions her as a transformative changemaker in future-focused design.
Maria Lorena Lehman is recipient of the Harmony for Humanity: Global Consciousness Art Prize, as well as the International Leonardo da Vinci Prize. Currently, Lehman serves as Mentor to postgraduate students at the Harvard GSD, and is widely published in a multitude of books, research journals, and is in numerous periodicals including Architect Magazine, The Architect's Journal, Rethinking the Future, ArchDaily, and Forbes.
The Founder
Maria Lorena Lehman is an award-winning Spatial Futurist, creating strategic future-visions for pioneering organizations, cultures, and missions, including concept art and design that shapes future worlds through architecture and technology by fusing science-fiction thinking with visionary design-science. Lehman is founder of MLL ATELIER® concept art and design studio — that wins a multitude of awards including the THA Boutique Design Firm of the Year Award for North America in Innovation & Design, as well as the Harvard University Digital Design Prize for the "most creative use of digital media in relation to the design professions". Maria Lorena Lehman is a graduate of Harvard University holding a Master in Design with Distinction specializing in Digital Media and Production Environments, as well as holding the Bachelor of Architecture with Honors from Virginia Tech. Her work is shown in galleries, art fairs, and museums internationally, including New York, Barcelona, Miami, London, and Paris.
By combining speculative design, systems thinking, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between humanity, technology, and the environment, Maria Lorena Lehman explores emerging trends, technologies, and societal shifts to design immersive, thought-provoking scenarios that challenge assumptions and inspire new possibilities for the future. Her work helps innovative organizations and pioneering leaders to forge into the unknown in ways that leverage new possibility, fostering collaboration and critical thinking so today's design choices beneficially shape near and far tomorrows. Focused on creating meaningful, innovative, and aesthetic futures, Lehman’s expertise in worldbuilding and foresight methodologies positions her as a transformative changemaker in future-focused design.
Maria Lorena Lehman is recipient of the Harmony for Humanity: Global Consciousness Art Prize, as well as the International Leonardo da Vinci Prize. Currently, Lehman serves as Mentor to postgraduate students at the Harvard GSD, and is widely published in a multitude of books, research journals, and is in numerous periodicals including Architect Magazine, The Architect's Journal, Rethinking the Future, ArchDaily, and Forbes.
Notable Awards
Commitment to innovation, creativity, and design for human potential has earned MLL ATELIER recognition globally.
2024
International Leonardo da Vinci Prize: The Universal Artist
2024
International Leonardo da Vinci Prize: The Universal Artist
2024
International Leonardo da Vinci Prize: The Universal Artist
2023
Harmony for Humanity: The Global Consciousness Art Prize
2023
Harmony for Humanity: The Global Consciousness Art Prize
2023
Harmony for Humanity: The Global Consciousness Art Prize
2023
Inducted as Fellow of the Professional Artist Association
2023
Inducted as Fellow of the Professional Artist Association
2023
Inducted as Fellow of the Professional Artist Association
2022
Boutique Design Firm of the Year for North America: THA Innovation and Design Award
2022
Boutique Design Firm of the Year for North America: THA Innovation and Design Award
2022
Boutique Design Firm of the Year for North America: THA Innovation and Design Award
2021
3D Design Firm of the Year for United States: THA Innovation and Design Award
2021
3D Design Firm of the Year for United States: THA Innovation and Design Award
2021
3D Design Firm of the Year for United States: THA Innovation and Design Award
2019
International Research builds the case for 'Interaction Narratives' based on the work of Maria Lorena Lehman | Buildings: Peer-Review Journal
2019
International Research builds the case for 'Interaction Narratives' based on the work of Maria Lorena Lehman | Buildings: Peer-Review Journal
2019
International Research builds the case for 'Interaction Narratives' based on the work of Maria Lorena Lehman | Buildings: Peer-Review Journal
2018
HP Mars Home Planet Competition Finalist: Hewlett Packard: Urbanization of Mars Rendering Challenge
2018
HP Mars Home Planet Competition Finalist: Hewlett Packard: Urbanization of Mars Rendering Challenge
2018
HP Mars Home Planet Competition Finalist: Hewlett Packard: Urbanization of Mars Rendering Challenge
2017
Silver Medal Nautilus Book Award Winner: Nautilus Book Awards: Creative Process
2017
Silver Medal Nautilus Book Award Winner: Nautilus Book Awards: Creative Process
2017
Silver Medal Nautilus Book Award Winner: Nautilus Book Awards: Creative Process
2016
Routledge Featured Author Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group
2016
Routledge Featured Author Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group
2016
Routledge Featured Author Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group
2015
JDR Industry Award Nominee: Best Blog in Architecture JDR Industry Blogger Awards
2015
JDR Industry Award Nominee: Best Blog in Architecture JDR Industry Blogger Awards
2015
JDR Industry Award Nominee: Best Blog in Architecture JDR Industry Blogger Awards
2004
Digital Design Prize Harvard University Graduate School of Design
2004
Digital Design Prize Harvard University Graduate School of Design
2004
Digital Design Prize Harvard University Graduate School of Design
1998
Juris Jansens Memorial Award: Excellence in Design Virginia Tech
1998
Juris Jansens Memorial Award: Excellence in Design Virginia Tech
1998
Juris Jansens Memorial Award: Excellence in Design Virginia Tech
1997
Michelle Currie Memorial Scholarship: Excellence in Design Virginia Tech
1997
Michelle Currie Memorial Scholarship: Excellence in Design Virginia Tech
1997
Michelle Currie Memorial Scholarship: Excellence in Design Virginia Tech
Quantum Key Membership
The Quantum Key — a private strategic membership granting access to MLL ATELIER’s design intelligence system. This is not a course, a club, or a consulting retainer — it is a gateway into a higher mode of environmental design innovation, available only to a select group of organizations each year.
Quantum Key Membership
The Quantum Key — a private strategic membership granting access to MLL ATELIER’s design intelligence system. This is not a course, a club, or a consulting retainer — it is a gateway into a higher mode of environmental design innovation, available only to a select group of organizations each year.
Quantum Key Membership
The Quantum Key — a private strategic membership granting access to MLL ATELIER’s design intelligence system. This is not a course, a club, or a consulting retainer — it is a gateway into a higher mode of environmental design innovation, available only to a select group of organizations each year.
