LUSO Collective is a minimalist collection founded and curated by Natasza Grzeskiewicz and Tomás Fernandes of Studio THER. Standing in the historic industrial space of BEATO30, one encounters a peculiar alchemy: the ghost of Portugal’s manufacturing past intermingling with sleek contemporary forms. This tension between old and new perfectly embodies Portuguese minimalist designLUSO Collective’s mission – not merely to preserve Portuguese design heritage, but to dramatically reinterpret it for our time. The collective’s very name evokes this bridge between epochs. They’re excavating cultural memory itself, allowing it to shape new creative possibilities. This archaeological approach to design manifests in how the collective’s members engage with materials and processes.
Studio Gameiro’s work, for instance, often features traditional Portuguese materials like cork and tile, but deployed in startingly contemporary configurations. Similarly, MACHEIA’s pieces frequently reference historical craft techniques while pushing them into unexplored geometric territories. The physical setting of BEATO30 serves as both canvas and metaphor for this transformative vision. Its weathered industrial architecture provides a tangible link to Portugal’s manufacturing heritage, while its vast, adaptable spaces invite radical reimagining. Here, the work of Garce & Dimofski sits in dialogue with centuries-old brick and iron, creating a temporal conversation about craft, industry, and innovation.
What makes LUSO particularly significant in today’s design landscape is its collaborative model. Rather than pursuing individual artistic statements, the collective members work in conscious dialogue with each other and their shared cultural inheritance. This approach feels especially relevant as the design world grapples with questions of sustainability, cultural preservation, and collective action. Studio THER’s curatorial vision seems to understand that true innovation doesn’t emerge from rejecting the past, but from engaging it in thoughtful dialogue. The collective’s work suggests that Portuguese design identity isn’t a fixed historical artifact, but a living tradition capable of continuous renewal.
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