Philia
Magazine

ALVA Design is a Brazilian furniture and object design studio founded by siblings Marcelo Alvarenga and Susana Bastos. Drawing from backgrounds in architecture, fine arts, and fashion, the duo develops a poetic design language that balances structure and fluidity, functionality and emotion.

Rooted in the cultural landscape and craft traditions of Minas Gerais, their work is distinguished by sculptural forms, refined materiality, and a strong sense of atmosphere. Since its founding, ALVA has become a prominent voice in contemporary Brazilian design, creating furniture, objects, and creative projects that celebrate craftsmanship, intimacy, and the poetry of everyday life.

ALVA Design is a Brazilian design studio founded by siblings Marcelo Alvarenga and Susana Bastos. Drawing from backgrounds in architecture, fine arts, and fashion, the duo creates furniture and objects that balance structure and spontaneity, functionality and emotion.

Rooted in the cultural landscape of Minas Gerais, their work is guided by a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, materiality, and storytelling. Through a multidisciplinary approach, ALVA develops sculptural pieces distinguished by refined details and a poetic sensibility that explores the relationship between objects, space, and everyday life.

Today, ALVA stands as a distinctive voice in contemporary Brazilian design, creating timeless works that evoke intimacy, atmosphere, and human connection.

Founded by Jasper Goh and Agnes Yap, Ascend Design is a Singapore-based interior design studio that crafts thoughtful, design-centric spaces grounded in emotional resonance and quiet sophistication.

As Principal Designer, Jasper leads the creative direction of the studio, shaping its distinct aesthetic language — one that balances restraint with warmth, and celebrates tactility, imperfection, and the lived-in beauty of space. His projects, such as The Bahru House and Amayadori House, reinterpret modern living through a lens of sensitivity and calm.

Agnes Yap, the studio’s Creative Director, brings a refined eye for proportion, atmosphere, and material harmony. Having designed many of Ascend’s residential works featured across its portfolio, his approach merges technical precision with an instinctive understanding of light and texture. Together, Jasper and Agnes cultivate a studio culture rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and curiosity — continually evolving the visual language of contemporary Singaporean design.

Jay Boggo is a Brazilian artist and designer whose multidisciplinary practice spans collectible design, sculpture, visual arts, and fashion. Working with reclaimed native woods, natural fibers, stone, and salvaged materials, he creates sculptural pieces that explore the relationship between memory, nature, and cultural heritage. Deeply influenced by the Brazilian Amazon and its communities, his work reflects a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and the preservation of ancestral knowledge.

Through furniture, installations, and artistic projects, Boggo transforms raw materials into poetic objects that bridge tradition and innovation. Rooted in the principles of circular economy and environmental responsibility, his creations serve as a passage between past and future, nature and culture, and Brazil and the wider world.

Negar Reihani is a Vancouver-based interior designer known for her refined, timeless approach to luxury interiors. With more than two decades of experience, her work spans a wide range of styles, each thoughtfully tailored to reflect the individuality, lifestyle, and aspirations of her clients.

Recognized for creating elegant yet highly livable spaces, Negar approaches every project with a balance of creativity, practicality, and close client collaboration. Her interiors are defined by understated sophistication, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of how people live within their environments.

Praised for her warmth, professionalism, and commitment to exceptional service, Negar has built long-standing relationships with clients across Canada, the United States, and internationally.

Agathe Lavaud is a French architect and interior designer, and the founder of Volta, a Paris-based studio established in 2016. Working across architecture and interior design, her practice is defined by a refined dialogue between contemporaneity and tradition, with a strong attention to detail, materiality, and spatial harmony.

After studying at ESAG Penninghen and the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Marne-la-Vallée, including a period of study in Italy, Lavaud worked with renowned studios such as Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Wilmotte & Associés, Vidalenc Architectes, and Thierry Lemaire Architecture before establishing her own practice. Through Volta, she approaches each project through a sensitive and contextual process, developing spaces shaped by thoughtful research into volume, craftsmanship, and the existing environment.