Lisbon Design Week is synonymous with the vibrant and emerging creative scene in Portugal. We explored most of it, got in touch with remarkable emerging designers, and dug deeper into their lives and work.
Here’s a hint of what we came back with!
Getting Around The Locke de Santa Joana during Lisbon Design Week
The Locke de Santa Joana is not a Hotel; it’s a home for the real traveler. There are comfortable rooms, coworking spaces, gourmet restaurants, diverse bars, and, yes, a lovely outdoor pool with a kiosk adjacent to it. But these are secondary to the charm of the whole space.
When you open its doors, you enter a district for sophisticated souls. Once a 17th-century convent, the old architecture remains relevant, now situated next to a modern structure that seamlessly blends in without detracting from its surrondings.
During the LDW, the space got elevated by hosting a few exhibitions in its art gallery space and patios. Coworking areas were converted into display hubs, while The Kissaten, a renowned bar known for the most extensive whiskey menu in Lisbon, hosted a remarkable designers’ podcast by Portugal Manual. Last but not least, Spiritland‘s dance floor was home to some delightful DJ sets and cocktail parties, the perfect cherry on top of a busy, creative day.
We started our tour of the Lisbon Design Week there and couldn’t have made a better choice.
Engaging in Conversation with Terrakota, led by Liliana Silva
Liliana Silva is the face (and hands) behind the stunning huge colored vases exhibited in the central patio at Locke de Santa Joana.
We got excited as she agreed to meet us there!
While cheering and exploiting our English-Portuguese boundaries, we clicked through smiles and shared a common passion for bold forms and colors.
While comfortably seated at the mezzanine of the Bar de Santa Joana, Liliana began answering all our questions about her work and the birth of Terrakota, her design brand.
It was awesome getting to know the hands and brains behind such beautiful creations.
We will soon post the video interview, so stay tuned!!!
Impressive Rug Exhibition by Mariana Ralo
Behind Terrakota’s vases, hung on a vast wall overlooking the patio, a stunning, huge rug adorned the entire area. We are talking about Mariana Ralo‘s artwork. We couldn’t meet her, but just being next to her art piece gave us a closer touch of how her work can give a sense of belonging through beauty, as she declares.
A Personal Tour of Alma Mater with Arianna Bavuso from AB+AC Architects
Passing further the Santa Marta’s bistrot by the outdoor pool, a tiny door on the left leads to the hotel’s art gallery. The space itself is captivating, with its ceilings and walls as a legacy of what once was part of the ancient convent.
The space couldn’t be a better fit for AB+AC Architects – an international multidisciplinary studio at the intersection of architecture, well-being, and futurism. They presented their immersive installation, Alma Mater. As we arrived, we met with Arianna Bavuso (AB) and Andre Chedid (AC), partners both in their professional and personal lives.
They were extremely accommodating in giving us a tour of the installation, which featured two sculptural candleholders, a totem, and a ring, all made of treated iron and beeswax. Alma Mater is a Latin phrase meaning “Nurturing Mother,” recalling the earth’s power of healing through its infinite possibilities. For the project, they explored the complementary energy of masculinity (iron) and femininity (beeswax).
Arianna spoke passionately about their process and vision, and it has been a regenerative experience just talking to her.
Follow us for the video interview!
Sneak Peek at Tosco Studio during Lisbon Design Week
A short walk away from the Locke de Santa Joana, next to Parque Eduardo VII, we encountered Tosco Studio’s workspace during their creative daily routine. It was fascinating meeting the guys at work. We took a sneak peek inside and had a quick conversation about their mission to transform concrete into sculptural, handcrafted pieces and turning design into an art form. Colorful tiles and sophisticated shapes and forms fill their lab with such allure that you’d want to touch each piece. Their color combinations and the concrete’s outcomes they work with are exceptional.
Go here to view the reel >
Outdoors Chat with Maria Bezuglaya at CAM
Maria gave us an appointment at the Gulbenkian Museum of Contemporary Art, which is such an inspiring place for an artist like her.
A young Russian lady, Maria Bezuglaya, currently lives in Pamela, Portugal, a place she now calls home. Self-taught in ceramic arts, she is today a multidisciplinary artist working at the interplay of art and science. We sat outdoors on two chairs in the museum’s garden and started talking about how living in Portugal, surrounded by nature, gave her the freedom to explore materials while connecting with people. She illustrated her open studio in Pamela, where she not only hosts a ceramics school and an artist residency called Artists in Rehab but also creates glass and ceramic objects and continues to work on her short films. We went on discussing all her artistic journey and talking to her made us notice how art highlights passion and strengthens people.
Stay tuned to follow us as we post the video interview we conducted with Maria!
A Creative Conversation with MACHEIA at Their Studio
We met MACHEIA at their studio, located within Fábrica das Águas, a multidisciplinary hub for artists, musicians, and designers in the Agualva-Cacém district.
A big green iron door opened as we entered a proper factory, where utensils, materials, and various items revealed a handcrafted appeal.
Through a hall, alongside other creatives, is MACHEIA’s room, a space filled with natural fibers, sustainable leathers, and other materials where Lucrezia Papillo and Iany Gayo can freely explore and experiment.
We sat at the wide, white table in the middle of the room as they began sharing highlights and stories about how they met, what brought them together, and why they do what they do. A beautifully diverse duo, Lucrezia and Iany complement each other, still discovering their shared passion for natural fabrics, ancient techniques, and storytelling in every step they take.
Stay tuned to watch the video interview we had with them!
Meantime, sneak peek into their studio during LDW >
A Vibrant Chat with João Bruno at DOMO
We couldn’t leave Lisbon without visiting João Bruno at DOMO. Meeting with João confirmed he is a veteran of design and wool. Upon arrival at DOMO, we could hear him talking to a group of viewers who surrounded him with questions about his work. His passionate and eloquent tone preceded him. Without wanting to distract him, we peeked inside. Then we tried to catch his attention, which he immediately gave us, along with a genuine smile. As soon as we warmly shook hands, João playfully seated on the biggest of his new stools, ready for our conversation to start. We never stopped beaming and talking for an abundant half an hour about how his past and present life brought him to be one of Portugal’s masters of wool. His passion was contagious, and we left with a creative boost to complete our tour. Stay tuned to watch the video interview we had with him!
Stay tuned to watch the video interview we had with him!
As we were leaving Lisbon, we looked back with cheerfulness at a city full of charm, history, and emerging gems.
Stay tuned to view video interviews, artists’ talks about participating at the fair and more!
