Oznur Pinar Cer : Winner of the 2025 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award
- Great Companies
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Name: Oznur Pinar Cer
Business Name: MASK Architects
Location: Gubbio, Italy- Istanbul, Turkey , ITALY-TURKEY
Category: Architectural Innovation & Design
Website: maskarchitects.com
Company Detail:
Founded in 2020 in Italy by Turkish architect Öznur Pınar Cer and Italian luxury industrial designer Danilo Petta, MASK Architects originated in Olbia and has since expanded its influence across the global design landscape. As a multidisciplinary firm specializing in architecture and luxury industrial design, MASK Architects stands at the intersection of innovation, technology, and creativity.
Rooted in a philosophy of cross-disciplinary collaboration, the studio proudly defines itself as “inventor architects and designers.” This identity reflects their distinctive approach—merging cutting-edge technologies with architectural and industrial design to address contemporary challenges with visionary solutions.MASK Architects is the first studio in the world to invent and integrate proprietary technologies directly into architectural and design methodologies.
By fusing invention with design, the studio pioneers bold, future-forward solutions that transcend conventional boundaries and set new standards within the global design industry.
Vision and Mission
At MASK Architects, the team is more than architects and designers—they are pioneers in engineering and technology. Their mission is to lead innovation by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology into every aspect of their work. From micro-mechanical design in the luxury watch industry to interior design, master planning, architectural buildings, pavilions, urban design, and product design, they possess the expertise to create, invent, and push the boundaries of technology and design.
Their vision is to achieve a seamless synthesis of physics, mathematics, science, architecture, and technology. By harmonizing these disciplines, they deliver groundbreaking solutions across diverse fields, including architectural innovation, micro-mechanical engineering, interactive art, sustainable practices, climate change adaptation, human physiology, public design elements, and advanced engineered systems. This synergy enables them to redefine the possibilities of design and technology, addressing the challenges of today and shaping a better future.
Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:
MASK Architects stands at the intersection of design, innovation, and environmental responsibility. What makes the firm truly unique is its ability to create architecture that also invents technology—turning every project into a functional solution for global challenges. Their competitive advantages include:
The Oasys +System Cooling Station in Abu Dhabi: A winning project featuring a patented “adiabatic cooling” canopy structure that purifies air, reduces heat island effect, tackles climate change, and combats urban pollution—showcasing the firm’s commitment to responsive, smart architecture in urban design. It is scalable and deployable for any land.
Baobab Safari Resort: An award-nominated, sustainable luxury destination in Africa blending vernacular design with cutting-edge hospitality solutions. It is the world’s first eco base tourism project producing its own water from air, providing water and jobs for local communities. It serves not only hospitality but also community development.
ONYX H2-BO 85: Producing hydrogen technology from seawater, their inventions range from energy-generating facades with aerodynamic wings to the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht (ONYX H2-BO 85), redefining what architecture can achieve.
Scalable Luxury Housing: Through their new brand, Modilicon, they develop modular, self-sufficient homes that merge affordability, elegance, and environmental harmony.
Founder-Led Vision: As a woman founder, Öznur Pınar Cer brings a fresh, cross-disciplinary approach combining emotional storytelling with scientific precision. Clients of MASK Architects receive not just a design but a vision-driven, future-ready solution built to last.
Challenges Faced During the Journey:
As a woman architect and founder leading innovation in both design and technology, Öznur Pınar Cer has had to challenge not only industry norms but also global biases. The biggest obstacles faced were:
Being a young woman in male-dominated sectors such as architecture, construction, and engineering—especially while leading large-scale projects in regions like the Middle East and Europe.
Building credibility as an innovator, not just a designer, while creating patented systems like the Oasys System and aerodynamic energy-generating facades.
Running an independent, self-funded practice—taking financial risks to develop proprietary intellectual properties such as modular housing systems under the Modilicon brand. Despite these challenges, she turned each into creative power: She built international partnerships, led high-profile sustainable projects like the OASYS+SYSTEM Artificial Breathing Palm Structure, the Baobab Safari Resort, and designed visionary solutions such as the ONYX H2-BO 85 hydrogen yacht. She has proven that a feminine perspective can lead bold innovation—balancing emotion, logic, and future thinking in every project. Her journey has been fueled by resilience, a relentless passion for meaningful design, and the courage to believe that architecture can truly change the world.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
Öznur Pınar Cer’s advice to young women is clear:
Don’t wait for permission—create your own platform.
Women are often underestimated or expected to follow trends, but true entrepreneurship is not about fitting into the system—it’s about changing it.
Be original. Don’t create fashion—create style. Style is timeless, personal, and powerful. Bringing one’s own voice and vision means leading the market rather than following it.
Innovate with purpose. Ideas have the power to shift industries and open new paths.
Own your uniqueness. What sets you apart is exactly what the world needs.
Öznur has faced countless challenges as a woman leading an architecture and technology firm. Yet, by staying true to her vision—creating projects like the Baobab Safari Resort, the Oasys System, and hydrogen-powered yachts alongside her partner—she has demonstrated that it is possible to direct the market, not just respond to it.
To every woman entrepreneur, her message is:
Be fearless. Be original. Be visionary. Be aware. Be the one who sets the standard instead of following it. That is how a legacy is created.
