About
Maria Gasparian Studio is a multidisciplinary practice that combines art, architecture and design consultancy with a particular focus on the integration of ceramics into buildings, urban spaces and landscaping. The aim of the practice is to provide multisensory experiences through tactile and coloured ceramic interventions such as street furniture, decorative surfaces and ceramic artwork to contribute to 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 was one of the winners of the London Festival of Architecture “City Benches” Competition in 2018. Ceramic City Bench (2018) and Ornamental Wall (2021) projects were shortlisted for the Brick Development Association Brick Awards.
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
EXHIBITIONS
CV
EDUCATION
University of the Arts London
PhD
University of the Arts London
MA Ceramic Design, Distinction
School of Architecture and Engineering
RIBA Part 3
School of Architecture and Engineering
Diploma in Architecture/ RIBA Part 2
APPOINTMENTS
Doctoral Researcher Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London.
Self-employed Architect Working on residential projects in North-West London, education, healthcare projects and community centres.
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
Architectural training
Tutor