Philia
Magazine

Michel Amar is a Paris-based architect and designer whose multidisciplinary practice spans architecture, interiors, and collectible design. Rooted in his Mediterranean heritage, he creates sculptural furniture, lighting, and objects distinguished by elegant proportions, refined craftsmanship, and a poetic approach to materiality, working primarily with bronze, stone, and alabaster.

Balancing architectural precision with artistic expression, Amar develops timeless collections that celebrate the dialogue between form, light, and natural materials. His work reflects a sensitive exploration of craftsmanship and contemporary living, resulting in pieces that combine sculptural presence with enduring elegance.

Selma Lazrak is a Moroccan architect and product designer based in Munich, Germany. Working across architecture, interiors, and collectible design, her practice explores the relationship between identity, material, and cultural heritage. Drawing inspiration from her Moroccan roots, she creates sculptural furniture and objects that reinterpret traditional craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.

Combining advanced fabrication techniques with meticulous hand-finishing by Mediterranean artisans, Lazrak develops collectible pieces distinguished by refined materiality and thoughtful experimentation. Her work balances architectural precision with emotional resonance, creating timeless designs that celebrate both craftsmanship and place.

NUDA is the creative practice of Mexican architect and designer Andrea Lardizábal, whose work explores the intersection of sculpture, architecture, and the natural world. Born and based in Mexico City, Lardizábal approaches design as an instinctive act of creation, guided by imagination and an enduring fascination with nature, landscape, and materiality. Her practice embraces an intuitive process in which form emerges as a direct expression of observation, emotion, and lived experience.

Working across sculptural design, Lardizábal investigates the expressive potential of materials through objects that challenge conventional notions of monumentality and scale. Deeply influenced by Mexican and Arabic landscapes, as well as figures such as Isamu Noguchi and Hassan Fathy, her work seeks to evoke contemplation rather than prescribe meaning, inviting each viewer to form a personal connection with the pieces.

Saerom Yoon is a Seoul-based artist and designer whose sculptural furniture is inspired by the quiet beauty of the natural world. Drawing from the shifting colours of sunrise and sunset, as well as the textures of clouds, water, ice, and tree bark, his work translates fleeting natural phenomena into poetic, collectible forms.

Guided by a sensitive approach to material and form, Yoon creates furniture that captures the atmosphere and rhythm of nature. Through subtle textures and fluid compositions, his work invites contemplation while bringing a sense of calm and quiet elegance to contemporary interiors.

Jess Cooney is the founder and principal designer of Jess Cooney Interiors, where she has led residential construction, renovation, and custom furnishing projects for more than two decades. Known for creating calm, functional, and highly livable interiors, Cooney and her team have received national recognition with features in Architectural Digest, Martha Stewart Living, HGTV, as well as frequent coverage in The New York Times and The Boston Globe.

Passionate about restoring older homes and developing thoughtful green new-build projects, Cooney specializes in custom built-ins and tailored furnishing solutions designed around family life. Her work combines clean lines, modern sensibilities, and rustic warmth to create interiors that feel both refined and relaxed. Together with her team, she focuses on meticulous project execution and close client collaboration, developing spaces that are elegant, durable, and deeply functional for everyday living.

Melis Tatlıçıbasi is a Turkish interior and furniture designer whose practice explores the relationship between sculptural form, craftsmanship, and everyday function. Working through her studio ME.T, she creates collectible furniture and lighting distinguished by clean lines, organic curves, and a refined minimalist aesthetic inspired by architecture and contemporary living. Guided by a passion for material exploration, her work balances expressive forms with timeless simplicity.