Philia
Magazine

PROSA was created in 2021 by the couple Júlia Rovigo and Gabriel Pesca. An architect and a woodworker, respectively, this project emerged from their desire to combine their experiences and translate them into the design and execution of furniture.

PROSA is dedicated to extensive research and investigation of wood as a material. The studio revives knowledge and techniques from classic naval carpentry for the execution of its works, where strength and durability meet organic curves and forms.

All of their creations incorporate experimental elements in handling wood, seeking new ways to understand and explore its natural characteristics. Their products are made with a focus on nature, the people who inhabit it, and the future of the interaction between the two.

Studio Gaïa is a French design studio founded by Liza Mimouni and Deborah Elfassy in 2021. Rooted in a shared passion for craftsmanship and material exploration, the studio creates collectible furniture and objects that celebrate the natural beauty of stone, ceramic, and mineral surfaces through refined forms and meticulous detailing.

Working with exceptional materials sourced from skilled artisans, Studio Gaïa develops made-to-order pieces distinguished by timeless elegance, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a contemporary approach to natural materiality.

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.

Jefferson Aver is the creative force behind Aver Design, a Brazilian artist whose work is driven by continuous research and experimentation. He seeks to uncover the essence of each material, using it to express a wide interpretation through lighting and objects. The brand is dedicated to creating sculptural pieces that move between art and design, tradition and modernity, with a focus on local materials, especially Brazilian natural stones.

Marthine Spinnangr is a Norwegian designer and sculptor based in Oslo whose practice explores the relationship between sculpture, craft, and functional objects. Inspired by the quiet beauty of the coastline—weathered shells, softened stones, and the gentle movement of water—she develops intuitive forms that emerge through a tactile and contemplative making process.

Working primarily with ceramics, Spinnangr creates handcrafted sculptures and collectible objects that balance sculptural expression with everyday function. Rooted in a dialogue between art and design, her work celebrates organic forms, material sensitivity, and the subtle poetry of the natural world.

Fernando Mendes is a Brazilian architect, designer, and woodworker born in São Paulo and based in Rio de Janeiro. Working primarily from his atelier in Vale das Videiras, he creates furniture and objects that combine traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary design sensibility. Having spent more than two decades in the field of fine woodworking, Mendes uses wood as his principal medium, balancing artisanal techniques with innovative processes.

Characterized by a deep respect for materiality, his work embraces the natural imperfections, textures, and unique qualities of wood, resulting in pieces that are both timeless and authentic. Alongside directing his atelier, Mendes serves as president of the Sergio Rodrigues Institute, continuing the legacy of the renowned Brazilian designer with whom he collaborated closely for over thirty years. His work has received numerous international accolades, including the iF Design Award, Designpreis Deutschland, and the Museu da Casa Brasileira Award.