Portuguese Tiles

In Ihavo the buildings are covered in beautiful tiles that adorn the exterior.

Various patterns and illustrations can be seen all over ilhavo on the surface of the buildings.

The tiled patterns make me think of the repetitive geometric patterns seen of some print wax fabrics.

These inspired me to start creating my own tiled patterns.

I started experimenting with these patterns in the modelling room.

The tiled shapes create a pattern around a cylinder vase. Adorning the cylinder, just as the Portuguese tiles adorn the many buildings in Ilhavo.

The final results of this experiment will be shown at Skopje design week from sept 4 - 10 2012.

Romain Lagrange - Vista Alegre at NYC

Obice

The incredible transparency which magnifiyed the elements inside is used as a protection. Therefore, Obice becomes a container and also a cover which emphasises the beauty of flowers. 

This vase is an hand-blown Vista Alegre crystal piece. 

Obice is unveiling during NYC Design Week, at Wanted Design, on 18-21 May 2012.

Telha

There is a box that balances between two positions; a “vide-poche” divided in three separate parts and two supports for stationery and touch pads. 

All the elements can be used in many ways. 

Telha is unveiling during NYC Design Week, at Wanted Design, on 18-21 May 2012.

Meet the team

All working hard on new Vista Alegre designs. I shared my time at Vista Alegre working with (left to right) Romain Lagrange, Margaux Keller, Matthias Lehner, Fernanda Massotti and Kammal João. Several other designers make up the ID Pool team including Goncalo Campus and other exciting designer to come.

Clay Inspiration

People that are aware of my work will know that I select inspiration from an eclectic variety of sources. Africa is a particular constant source of inspiration. Here are a selection of African clay pieces that I have been inspired by of late and will keep in mind for this project.

Porcelain

The guest house is full of Porcelain features from traditional and contemporary Vista Alegre pieces. Not only do they make great decoration pieces, but they also serve as a constant source of inspiration for the designers living here.

Pattern and Weathering

It is not surprising from my DIR 11 project that these are the two things that first caught my eye upon arrival to the guest house.

Weathered gate

 Geometric pattern

Weathering and geometric pattern in Designer in residence commission.

The Vista Alegre Estate

I am living on the Vista Alegre estate which consists of the original Palace and Chapel, Museum, shop and Factory. In another post I will present a tour of the grounds which will provide an insight into community spirit of the people that live and work here.

Ceramic street sign.

 The house

No Snow

On the day I arrived I brought the London rain with me, however since then its been cold, but with lovely blue skies. Hoping to send London some warmth.

Don't forget to look out for friends, relatives, neighbors and the homeless who are more vulnerable in this cold weather.

Vista Alegre ID Pool

After completing my residency with The Design Museum I was invited to join the International Design Pool (ID Pool) designers chosen to work on developing new product ranges for the widely acclaimed Porcelain factory Vista Alegre.

Follow my blog as I travel through Portugal and explore the culture and heritage of one of the few remaining, working ceramic factories. I will be resident here for over a month in order to absorb the DNA of the company and respond to several briefs with the view of bringing a fresh outlook to this long standing brand.

Royal Actual /Vista Alegre / Porcelain collection: vases, lamp, plates and coffee cups / Portugal // 2009

A bit about VA:

The Vista Alegre Factory was founded in Portugal in 1824 by Jose Ferreira Pinto Basto on the Royal orders of D. Pedro VI. World famous for the excellent quality of the pieces it is today one of the best and most modern Porcelain factories in the world, producing pieces which have earned it an international reputation. Besides being the market leader in Portugal, Vista Alegre group is one of the largest ceramics groups in the world, meeting the most demanding requirements of today’s market with the tradition of its industrial past and constant technological and creative development.

Text from Vista Alegre table ware, fine porcelain catalogue.