About

Maria Gasparian, photo by Agnese Sanvito

Maria Gasparian Studio is a multidisciplinary practice that combines art, architecture and design consultancy with a particular focus on the integration of ceramic artwork into buildings, urban spaces and landscaping.

Waterproof, fire proof and maintenance-free, ceramics are the most long-lasting man-made material and combine function with expressive aesthetics. The colours of glazed ceramics do not fade for millennia.

The tactile and colourful street furniture, decorative surfaces and ceramic artwork created by the Studio aim to provide multisensory experiences and contribute to a unique, socially inclusive and engaging environment.

Bespoke and sustainable ceramics created by the Studio are both decorative and functional and are formed using a combination of ceramic craft, digital tools and industrial manufacturing. Collaboration with manufacturers, engineers and material specialists is an integral part of the practice.

The Studio was founded in 2016 by an award-winning ceramic artist, architect and researcher Maria Gasparian.

Gasparian’s architectural experience included a number of high profile mixed-use developments and public spaces in the UK, medium and small-scale educational, healthcare, residential and domestic schemes.

She gained her MA in Ceramic Design with distinction at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.  In 2016 Gasparian was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship to research manufacturing and applications of architectural ceramics in the USA and Europe in relation to the UK context. In 2017, she won the ‘Future Lights in Ceramics European Competition’ award and went on to exhibit her designs and artwork work in Frankfurt, Berlin, Ljubljana and Prague.

Maria has exhibited her work both in the UK and Europe and continues to present her practice to various audiences including architects, artists and the building industry.

Maria has a PhD from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. Her practice-based research explores design, craft making and industrial manufacturing of bespoke architectural ceramics and bricks, aiming to contribute to the creation of humanistic architecture and sense of place.


HONOURS AND AWARDS

2021
Ornamental Wall project shortlisted for a Brick Award by the Brick Development Association in the innovation category
2018
Ceramic City Bench shortlisted for a Brick Award by The Brick Development Association in the outdoor category
2018
Winner of the City Bench Competition for the London Festival of Architecture 2018
2017
Ceramics and its Dimension European Competition: Future Lights in Ceramics Winner 2017
2017
PhD Studentship, University of the Arts London
2016
Unilever Sustainability Award
2016
Mullen Lowe Nova award for design innovation, Runner up prize
2016
Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship
2015
Nomination for a Brick Award by The Brick Development Association, for the best project in outdoor category

EXHIBITIONS

20 March – 3 October 2022
More Than Bricks!, Porzellanikon, Selb, Germany
24 May – 26 May 2022
Clerkenwell Design Week, London
8 February-10 Feburary 2022
Surface Design Show 2022, Business Design Centre, London
23 November 2021-22 January 2022
(In)Visible Processes, Lethaby Gallery, London
18 September-23 October 2021
NOVA X, Lethaby Gallery, London
7 September-13 October 2019
British Ceramics Biennial September
16-10 May 2019
Wanted Design NYC, Design Festival
10-17 March 2019
Future Lights in Ceramics, Munich Design Week
15 May-31 July 2018
Ceramics and its Dimensions. Shaping the Future, National Museum of Slovenia, Ljubljana
Autumn 2018
Ceramics and its Dimensions. Shaping the Future, Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
25-26 April 2018
Materials for Architecture, ILEC Centre, London
9-13 February 2018
Ambiente, Messe Frankfurt
28 January to 26 April 2018
Ceramics and its Dimensions. Shaping the Future, Bröhan-Museum, Berlin
September 2017
Brain Waves, London Design Festival
May 2017
Wanted, New York Design Festival

CV


EDUCATION

2017 – 2021
Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design,
University of the Arts London
PhD
2014 – 2016
Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design,
University of  the Arts London
MA Ceramic Design, Distinction
1999
University of Westminster
School of Architecture and Engineering
RIBA Part 3
1995 – 1997
University of Westminster
School of Architecture and Engineering
Diploma in Architecture/ RIBA Part 2
Languages
English, Russian, Armenian

APPOINTMENTS

2017 – 2021

Doctoral Researcher Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London.

2005-2014

Self-employed Architect Working on residential projects in North-West London, education, healthcare projects and community centres.

1997-2005

Chapman Taylor Architects Responsible for the concept, detail design and structural coordination of mixed-use and retail schemes.

Projects:

  • Cabot Circus, Bristol, UK
  • N1 Centre, Angel, Islington, London, UK
  • Princesshay, Exeter, UK
  • Cheeke street, Exeter, UK
  • Bullring shopping centre, Birmingham, UK
  • West Key Shopping Centre, Southampton, UK
1993-95
Wilson Mason & Partners, UK
Architectural training
1991-93
Department of Architecture and Town planning of the Yerevan Institute of Architecture and Construction
Tutor