Lisbon by Design 2025 Celebrates Young Talent and Portuguese Craftsmanship
The fifth edition of the collectible design fair Lisbon by Design unfolded inside the 19th-century Gomes Freire palace, transforming its elegant rooms into a showcase for 28 emerging and established designers. While diverse in background, each participant crafted their works entirely within Portugal, emphasizing the fair’s deep commitment to local production and artisanal traditions.
From translucent onyx lamps to furniture sculpted from wine barrels, this year’s fair offered an immersive look into the evolving landscape of Portuguese design.
A Launchpad for New Designers
Founded and curated by Julie de Halleux, Lisbon by Design has become an annual platform where young creatives can test new ideas, find collectors, and gain critical industry exposure.
“It attracts newcomers and most of the artists are young,” says de Halleux. “With this kind of platform, they can sell and grow. It even draws young people toward careers in design and craftsmanship.”
Several designers from past editions have gone on to work with major international brands, proving the fair’s ability to elevate promising talent.
Standout Exhibits: From Wine Barrels to Utopian Ceramics
Diogo Amaro – Furniture from Port Wine Barrels
Architect Diogo Amaro stood out with his bold, voluptuous tables and seating crafted from French oak once used in port wine barrels. Inspired by a neighboring cooper’s workshop, Amaro referenced the “fat and wide” signature shape of old barrels.
“I wanted to pay tribute to that legacy,” Amaro told Dezeen.
He collaborated with Carla Caplin of embroidery brand Odísséía on a room divider, combining his woodworking with her textile artistry—a project that took weeks to complete.
Estadobruto – Onyx and Travertine Lamps
João Passanha of Estadobruto presented glowing lamps made from onyx and travertine, their translucent glow belying the solid stone material. The idea arose from using leftover stone blocks too small for architecture projects.
“Why not do something with these beautiful remnants?” said Passanha.
Clotilde de Kersauson & Margaux Carel – Ceramic Totems
In a shared space with textile artist Ana Rita de Arruda, ceramicists Clotilde de Kersauson and Margaux Carel built a space that felt like a “ruined temple overtaken by nature,” complete with carved wooden plinths, floral arrangements, and textile rock formations.
Grau Ceramica & Jacek Jan Jaskola – Sculptural Forms
Grau Ceramica displayed ceramics and lighting inspired by futuristic cities, while Jacek Jan Jaskola brought in brutalist, site-specific lighting made from natural materials. Their installations fused material integrity with avant-garde form.
Mono-Material Design by Zoé Wolker & Baptiste da Silva
Designer Zoé Wolker exhibited monolithic steel coffee tables, reflecting a minimalist and industrial approach. Nearby, Baptiste da Silva used cork, Portugal’s iconic material, to create sculptural seats and shelves.
Beyond the Palace Walls: Outdoor and Staircase Installations
For the first time since its inception, Lisbon by Design opened the palace garden, offering Omarcity World a venue to display work by artists in residence, including seating and tables that emphasized experimentation and sustainability.
Inside, Antwerp and Lisbon-based ADU Studios lit up the staircase with “Moon Lamps” that illuminate in phase with the moon, while Tomek Sadurski’s dramatic textile paintings hung from the staircase walls, unifying the vertical space into an art corridor.
Evolving into a Year-Round Design Network
With the fair’s growing success, curator Julie de Halleux is expanding its impact by organizing year-round studio visits and plans for pop-up exhibitions. This extension aims to sustain the dialogue between emerging talent, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary design.
“I like discovering young talent—and now we’re building a broader community around it,” she explained.
Conclusion: Craft, Culture, and Contemporary Vision
Lisbon by Design 2025 continues to solidify its role as Portugal’s premier collectible design fair, fostering an environment where young designers, traditional makers, and contemporary audiences intersect. By honoring materials—from cork and oak to ceramic and onyx—through innovation and collaboration, the fair paints a vibrant future for Portuguese design on the global stage.
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Photos: Claudia Rocha.
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