Philia
Magazine
Marjan van Aubel
Marjan van Aubel is a Dutch designer whose pioneering practice explores the intersection of sustainability, technology, and design through the lens of solar energy. Based in Amsterdam, she has developed a distinctive approach that transforms sunlight into both a functional and aesthetic medium, integrating solar technology into everyday objects such as furniture, lighting, and architectural elements.
A graduate of the Royal College of Art and the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, van Aubel has collaborated with scientists and institutions to create works that challenge conventional perceptions of renewable energy, positioning it as a poetic and experiential force. Her projects, exhibited internationally and held in major museum collections, aim to redefine our relationship with energy by embedding it seamlessly into daily life, advocating for a future where sustainability and beauty are intrinsically connected.
Estudio Orth 5 Picks From Philia Collection
Estudio Orth is a multidisciplinary furniture and interior design studio based in São Paulo. Founded in 2018, it is led by the couple Seba Orth (designer) and Luísa Bianchetti (visual artist), who have been guiding the studio from its foundation.
With a maximalist palette of materials in service of a minimalist language, its work presents a sculptural approach to functional items such as lighting fixtures, seating, tables, rugs, and everyday accessory objects. Its practice engages with themes such as symbolism and brutalism, exploring forms that move between organicity and rationality.
All pieces are meticulously handcrafted by master artisans, one at a time. In the creative process, ancestral techniques such as metal casting, solid wood carpentry, and the use of exotic Brazilian stones lend material identity and maturity to the products.
Colección Estudio Picks From Philia Collection
Based in Mexico City, Querétaro and San Francisco, Colección Estudio creates objects at a slower pace and with a more humane process that fosters long-lasting emotional connections with the spaces you inhabit. Inspired by stories and techniques rooted in Mexican culture, we translate them into limited-edition furniture, accessories and collectible design for your home. Colección Estudio is made up of three Mexican designers, Andrés Cacho, Daniel Martínez and Manuel López who found a common interest in exploring the intersection between art, design and craftsmanship.
Fernando Mendes Picks From Philia Collection
Fernando Mendes is a Brazilian architect, designer, and woodworker based between Rio de Janeiro and Vale das Videiras. Working primarily with wood, he creates furniture and objects that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, balancing technical precision with a deep sensitivity to material and form.
After more than two decades in design carpentry and over thirty years of close collaboration with Brazilian design master Sergio Rodrigues, Mendes has developed a distinctive practice that embraces the natural character of wood, including its textures, imperfections, and unique qualities. His work has received numerous international awards, and he currently serves as president of the Sergio Rodrigues Institute.
