Philia
Magazine

Isabel Moncada is a Mexican designer and artist known for her sculptural lighting and collectible objects. Based in Guadalajara, she has spent more than three decades exploring traditional craft techniques, developing her own methods and mechanisms to transform materials into expressive works that balance functionality with artistic experimentation.

Drawing inspiration from organic forms, asymmetry, and the richness of handmade processes, Moncada works across materials including metal, blown glass, porcelain, and cast elements. Her practice merges design, engineering, and craftsmanship, resulting in lighting pieces distinguished by their sculptural presence, material complexity, and poetic sense of form.

kar is a contemporary design brand whose practice is rooted in the principles of Oriental philosophy, exploring the relationship between tradition and modernity through collectible furniture and objects. Derived from the Sanskrit root of karma, the brand reflects on the interconnected nature of creation, where material, process, memory, and emotion shape the final work. Drawing inspiration from art, literature, culture, and personal experience, kar- creates pieces that seek to evoke emotional resonance through restrained forms and thoughtful material exploration.

Guided by a process that values sensibility as much as craftsmanship, the studio continually experiments with techniques and materials to expand the possibilities of contemporary design. Fiberglass has become one of its signature mediums, chosen for its ability to achieve fluid, organic forms while maintaining structural strength. Through meticulous hand-finishing and decades of artisanal expertise, each piece reveals a refined, jade-like surface that celebrates the dialogue between human emotion, material transformation, and timeless craftsmanship.

CONTAIN is a design studio founded by Mauricio Obarrio and Juan Peralta that brings together contemporary design, local craftsmanship, and industrial production. Rooted in Mallorca, the studio creates lighting and objects that explore the relationship between materiality, simplicity, and innovation.

Working closely with artisans and manufacturers, CONTAIN develops pieces distinguished by their refined forms, natural materials, and thoughtful functionality. Drawing inspiration from the island’s cultural heritage, the studio seeks to reinterpret traditional techniques through a contemporary lens, fostering a dialogue between local craftsmanship, modern technology, and design.

Morghen Studio is an Italian multidisciplinary practice working at the intersection of design, art, and craftsmanship. Based in a carefully restored former carpenter’s workshop in Milan’s Bovisa district, the studio develops collectible furniture, lighting, objects, and spatial installations that balance artisanal tradition with contemporary experimentation. Each piece is conceived and handcrafted in-house, drawing upon inherited techniques while exploring new materials and methods of making.

Guided by an ongoing dialogue between research and fabrication, Morghen Studio approaches every project as an evolution of previous investigations into form, material, and process. Their work celebrates the uniqueness of the handmade object, creating contemporary pieces distinguished by sculptural presence, material honesty, and a deep respect for craftsmanship.

Phillip Jividen is an American designer based in Cincinnati, Ohio, whose practice explores the relationship between sculpture, furniture, and functional objects. Guided by a refined minimalist language, he creates collectible pieces that balance geometric clarity with subtle material expression, transforming familiar forms into quietly sculptural compositions.

Working across furniture, lighting, and objects, Jividen combines meticulous craftsmanship with an intuitive approach to proportion and materiality. His work emphasizes simplicity, permanence, and restraint, resulting in designs that feel both familiar and unexpected while celebrating the inherent character of each material.

Pietro Franceschini is an Italian architect and designer based between New York and Florence. Trained across Italy, Portugal, and the United States, he founded PF|Studio in 2020, an interdisciplinary practice dedicated to interior architecture, collectible furniture, and product design. His work reflects an architectural approach to objects, combining refined proportions, material sensitivity, and contemporary craftsmanship.

Drawing on experience with internationally renowned architecture studios, Franceschini creates furniture and interiors that balance sculptural clarity with everyday functionality. Guided by a minimalist aesthetic and meticulous attention to detail, his practice explores the relationship between space, material, and form, resulting in timeless designs distinguished by elegance, restraint, and enduring character.