Philia
Magazine

Justus Knut Schomann (b. 1999, Cologne) is a German designer whose practice moves between industrial and collectible design. After working closely with designer Mike Meiré, where he gained experience in creative direction and interdisciplinary design processes, Schomann established his independent practice, JKS Studio, in Cologne. His work explores the dialogue between archetypal forms, contemporary materials, and refined craftsmanship, creating furniture and objects that balance functional clarity with sculptural presence.

Drawing on materials ranging from cast bronze and natural stone to advanced composite fabrication, Schomann approaches design as a quiet yet enduring presence within everyday life. Guided by a fascination with material behaviour and making, he creates pieces that seek not only to serve a purpose, but also to evoke calm, permanence, and lasting emotional resonance.

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.

Faezah Shaharuddin is a Singaporean multidisciplinary designer and founder of Studio Kallang, whose practice explores the relationship between nostalgia, cultural identity, and contemporary design. Working across furniture, objects, and visual communication, she creates pieces that reinterpret familiar forms through a refined and playful lens, balancing functionality with narrative and emotional resonance.

Trained at the University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design, Shaharuddin combines a strong graphic sensibility with a material-driven approach to design. Through Studio Kallang, she develops collectible furniture and objects distinguished by thoughtful craftsmanship, subtle cultural references, and a timeless aesthetic, while collaborating with international brands and presenting her work at exhibitions including Milan Design Week and the Asian Civilisations Museum.

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.

Julian Mayor is a British artist and designer whose work explores the relationship between digital technology, craftsmanship, and sculptural form. Working primarily with welded sheet metal, he develops pieces through a unique process that combines advanced computer modelling with meticulous hand fabrication. The resulting works balance precision and spontaneity, transforming industrial materials into fluid, light-filled forms that blur the boundaries between sculpture, furniture, and functional design.

Educated in Industrial Design at the University of Northumbria and later in Design Products at the Royal College of Art under Ron Arad, Mayor has developed a distinctive practice that merges technological innovation with a deep sensitivity to material and making. His works have been exhibited internationally in institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and MUDAC in Lausanne. Through objects, installations, and public commissions, he continues to investigate how digital processes can give rise to expressive and deeply human forms.

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.