Philia
Magazine

Ana Volante is a Venezuelan interior designer whose multidisciplinary practice spans residential and commercial interiors, furniture design, and the curation of art and objects. Through her studio, she develops spaces that balance functionality with a strong sense of atmosphere, creating environments that feel both refined and deeply personal.

Guided by a sensitivity to materiality, color, texture, and detail, Volante approaches each project as a carefully composed dialogue between design and art. Working closely with contemporary artists from Venezuela and beyond, she integrates artworks, furniture, and decorative elements into cohesive spatial narratives, cultivating interiors that evoke emotion, character, and cultural depth.

CONTAIN was founded by Mauricio Obarrio and Juan Peralta and is the result of the collaboration between the duo’s practice, local artisans, and the industrial sector. It is a space where creativity and simplicity meet and create a unique narrative between materials and each final piece. Their mission is to create high-quality lighting designs that are not only beautiful but also functional and sustainable, using artisanal techniques and natural materials. They are passionate about creating custom lighting solutions that reflect each client’s personal style and needs.

Drawing inspiration from Mallorca’s rich culture, the studio strives to promote aesthetic innovation and the exploration of both old and new. They aspire to add more value to local materials by creating products that emphasize materiality and simplicity of form, and therefore, to promote a dialogue within and beyond the artisans in Mallorca. Ultimately, they believe in the power of combining local materials with contemporary design and high technology.

Alter Ego Studio is a multidisciplinary design practice founded in 2017 by designer Natalia Komarova and led in collaboration with Nuno Gomes. Working across collectible furniture, interiors, 3D design, and visual storytelling, the studio explores the relationship between organic form, materiality, and emotion.

Guided by a philosophy that seeks to imbue furniture with a sense of life and movement, Alter Ego Studio develops pieces characterized by flowing curves, rhythmic compositions, sculptural textures, and asymmetrical forms. Drawing inspiration from nature and its inherent imperfections, the studio creates works that blur the boundaries between functional design and artistic expression.

Andrei Clontea is a self-taught artist whose practice bridges ceramics, sculpture, and architecture. Based between Luxembourg and Brussels, he creates expressive ceramic works that explore the relationship between nature, the human body, and the built environment.

Drawing inspiration from organic forms, animal anatomy, and natural textures, Clontea develops sculptural pieces distinguished by their earthy materiality and refined presence. His architectural background informs his sensitivity to structure, light, and proportion, resulting in works that balance rawness with elegance and instinct with precision.

Through his ceramics, Clontea creates a dialogue between natural and architectural forms, inviting viewers to engage with the subtle connections between human experience, nature, and space.

Brajak Vitberg is a multidisciplinary art and design studio founded by architects Petra Brajak and Robert Vitberg in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2019. Working across collectible furniture, lighting, and objects, the studio creates handmade, limited-edition, and unique pieces shaped by an experimental approach to materials, craftsmanship, and form. Their work explores the idea of “incomplete perfection,” resulting in timeless creations that balance conceptual thinking with artistic expression.

Axel Chay is a self-taught French designer whose work is deeply influenced by the landscapes, colors, and rhythms of the Mediterranean. Creating collectible furniture and sculptural objects, he develops a distinctive visual language defined by bold forms, fluid curves, and a strong sense of movement.

Drawing inspiration from figures such as Donald Judd, Julio Le Parc, and Tom Wesselmann, as well as kinetic art and the Memphis movement, Chay explores the expressive potential of a wide range of materials, including steel, aluminum, wood, cork, plaster, and expanded foam. Through his practice, he seeks to create singular pieces that move beyond functionality, establishing a powerful sculptural presence within space.