Philia
Magazine

Founded in 2005 by Belgian architect Wendy Saunders and Dutch architect Vincent de Graaf, AIM Architecture is an international design studio working across architecture, interior design, and product design. Headquartered in Shanghai, with offices in Antwerp and Chicago, AIM operates globally while maintaining a strong sensitivity to local context.

AIM’s practice is rooted in a deliberate, project-specific approach, pairing concept with context and balancing vision with practicality. Their work is characterized by bold narratives, refined detailing, and a deep respect for materials and place. Through an integrated design methodology, AIM creates distinctive spaces that are both expressive and rigorously built, driven by a belief in design’s ability to generate positive impact on cities and everyday life.

Founded by the Portuguese designer Nelson de Araújo, Nelson de Araújo Design is a conscious luxury furniture label born out of the passion for creating inspiring pieces that seamlessly blend beauty, comfort and functionality.

Designed and handcrafted in Portugal by local artisans, the label prioritizes exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality materials for timeless furniture that stands the test of time.

Federico Stefanovich is a Mexican designer based in Mexico City. His practice focuses on collectible design and the creation of sculptural lighting and objects that explore the interplay between form, light, and materiality. With a visual language that moves between the organic and the geometric, Stefanovich combines digital processes with the mastery of local workshops, celebrating imperfection and the human character of handcraft.

His work is defined by meticulous attention to detail, a constant pursuit of balance, and a deep interest in fostering emotional dialogue between object and user. Each piece reveals layers of process, cultural memory, and collaboration, challenging folkloric clichés to propose a contemporary vision of Mexican design.

Stefanovich’s work has been exhibited at international fairs and galleries, including FOG Design+Art in San Francisco, the Triennale di Milano during Milan Design Week, and 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen, as well as in a solo exhibition at AGO Projects in Mexico City.

In 2025, he was named one of Wallpaper Magazine’s “10 Stars Ascending” and received the People’s Choice Award at the AZ Awards—distinctions that establish him as one of the most relevant emerging voices in today’s global collectible design scene.

McLean Quinlan is a family-led architectural studio with over four decades of experience creating carefully crafted homes and retreats across towns and countryside in the UK and internationally. Working from studios in London and Winchester, the practice undertakes a limited number of projects, each receiving close attention from a tight-knit team of architects and designers, supported by a trusted network of specialist professionals and craftspeople.

The studio is recognised for its sensitive approach to material, light, scale, and texture, creating spaces defined by warmth, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place. Rooted in traditional processes and natural materials, yet expressed through a contemporary and highly crafted language, McLean Quinlan’s work is both tactile and enduring. Their award-winning buildings are designed to age with grace and are intended to inspire beyond their lifetime.

KASANAI is a Belgian design studio founded by Virginie Steeland, whose practice explores the relationship between materiality, form, and craftsmanship through contemporary furniture and collectible objects. Rooted in a minimalist sensibility, the studio creates sculptural pieces defined by refined proportions, tactile surfaces, and a quiet sense of balance. Each work reflects a careful dialogue between function and artistic expression, transforming everyday objects into timeless design statements.

Working with materials such as hand-finished microcement, stainless steel, and burl wood, KASANAI celebrates the intrinsic qualities of each medium while embracing a restrained and enduring aesthetic. Through both standalone works and cohesive collections, the studio develops objects that combine material richness with understated elegance, creating designs that invite contemplation as much as everyday use.