About Martín Azúa martinazua

Martín Ruiz de Azúa (Martín Azúa) is a Spanish designer born in the Basque Country in 1961. His training in Fine Arts gives his work a speculative and experimental nature. One of his first projects was the “Basic House”, a radical interpretation of a Nomad shelter, which since 2007 has formed part of the MOMA of New York collection. He is a passionate observer of nature which he incorporates into many of his works, especially the items of ceramics that he designs. He claims the use of craftsmanship to safeguard the natural diversity of material and technological culture, collaborating with craftspeople of different professions.

Parallel to his more personal work he has designed products and spaces for large companies and institutions. Among those of note feature the design of the first water medals for the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona in 2003, the design of the “Sed” (Thirst) exhibition for the Expo of Zaragoza in 2008, the design of the “Species in evolution” space for Roca, winner of a FAD Architecture Prize in the Ephemeral spaces section in 2009.

He has many solo and group exhibitions and his work forms part of major collections and museums such as the MOMA of New York of the Design Museum of Barcelona, among others.

Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona, Master in Design and Social Communication from the University Pompeu Fabra, professor at the Elisava School of Barcelona from 1995.

“Design matters to me to the extent that it improves our relationship with the environment, dignifies the work of the people and materials involved in production”.

THANKS

Thanks to all the designers who have collaborated with the studio over the years.

Eduard Puertas, Sergi Palou, José Riesco, Aleix Marti, Ivan Bravo, Lesia Trubat, Ferran Casas, Marc Bové, Victor Pla, Adria Moneo, Roger Cos, Sergi Roigé, Lucia Castro, Milos Ristin, Jenni Seppä, Jonas Feliu, Tanya Pedra, Daniel Caramelo, Maria Hofstaetter, Laura Liberal, Alba Teixidor, Oriol Gener, Antonio Sabater, Iván Esposito, Ilona Seilern, Arcadi Luís, Marga Trobat.