Lisbon's Estrela Basilica sets scene for Portuguese collectible design show
Stiffened cotton, mouth-blown crystal glass and washi paper come together in the chapel of Lisbon's 18th-century Estrela Basilica, where Luso Collective is showing an exhibition aimed at "shaping the collectible design scene in Portugal".
Luso Collective is the brainchild of Natasza Grzeskiewicz and Tomás Fernandes, founders of Lisbon design practice Further Ther, who launched the group in 2024 to platform the country's burgeoning design community.
"Our main goal is to start shaping the collectible design scene in Portugal," Grzeskiewicz told Dezeen. "We are asking what it means to be working in the country as a designer right now."
Titled Integrity and Form, the collective's third presentation is on display in Lisbon's Estrela Basilica, where 12 Portugal-based designers are showing their works in the baroque-neoclassical landmark as part of the fourth edition of Lisbon Design Week.
Among the exhibitors is Bombony. Originally from Ukraine but based in Lisbon, the artist is presenting an amorphous pendant light wrapped entirely in stiffened cotton, from lampshade to suspended cables, which glows gently in the corner of the chapel.
A wobbly timber shelf by Portuguese woodworker Tiago Moura is one of the furniture pieces on display. Crafted from oak found in the Serra do Bussaco mountains, the shelving is characterised by organic shapes supported by traditional joinery techniques.
Hanging from the apex of the chapel, an oversized, pyramidal light by Lisbon-based Violaine d'Harcourt takes centre stage. Defined by its large washi paper shade, the lighting is supported by a carbon steel structure.
More decorative pieces are also part of the show, including Czech designer Lucie Claudia Podrabska's cluster of mouth-blown crystal glass flowers set in stainless steel, which she made at her studio just outside of the Portuguese capital.
Porto-based creative Sofia De Francesco is presenting a blocky stool made from interlocking slabs of ash wood and stainless steel, topped with a delicate linen cushion.
Among the other furniture projects is a sucupira solid wood table by Lisbon designer Thayra Correia, whose studio is based between Portugal and her home city of Bissau in Guinea-Bissau.
The exhibition follows Luso Collective's second group show, which was held in a Lisbon townhouse to demonstrate how collectible design can coexist with everyday living. Integrity and Form will be on display at Estrela Basilica until 31 May.
Now in its fourth iteration, Lisbon Design Week is a city-wide celebration of Portuguese creativity. It runs alongside the annual craft fair Lisbon by Design, which last year included a wooden seating collection by French designer Sam Baron.
The photography is by Irina Boersma César Machado.
Lisbon Design Week 2026 takes place from 27 to 31 May 2026 at various locations across Lisbon, Portugal. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.
Project credits:
Curators: Natasza Grzeskiewicz and Tomás Fernandes
Participating designers: André Teoman, Bombony, Dublo Studio, FT Studio, Further Ther, Lucie Claudia Podrabska, Rosana Sousa, Sofia De-Francesco, Thayra Correia, Tiago Moura, Violaine d'Harcourt and Zoé Wolker
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