Ensemble emerged from a unique creative experience honouring the power of collaboration at the heart of design- and art ensembles.

Led by Sam Baron, working closely with eight members of De La Espada Atelier, the design process combined a high degree of experimentation with deep expertise in design and craftsmanship. Sam Baron’s methodology fostered freedom of expression and form, merging the individual and collective experience of all contributing designers; it magnified the creative energy of the individuals and the group.

More than furniture, Ensemble is a distinctive group vision reflecting time spent together — first seated around a table examining the emotions and thoughts that surround how we sit together, then building upon the ideas through sketches, mock-ups and prototypes to test new ways of gathering people. Every aspect was questioned and carefully considered, resulting in an extremely well thought through and masterfully executed ensemble of six seating propositions created with a specific space at the Lisbon by Design fair in mind.

Nature is at the core of the project, both in materials and feeling; solid wood is used in abundance and the collection addresses the deep human need to congregate. Versatile pieces including sculptural chairs and stools, an unconventional day bed, and a smooth organic sofa work in dialogue with one another, each conveying an outline or memory of what one would expect to find in a clearing in the forest; a fundamental place to rest. Crafted from walnut, the products naturally reflect the geometry and scale of a tree trunk.

With curvilinear forms in materials selected with a curatorial eye — Danish oiled walnut, glazed ceramic, Verde Viana marble, saddle leather, and upholstery that resembles plant life — Ensemble embraces the textures, materiality and grandeur of nature.

Highlighting De La Espada’s globally recognised saber fazer (Portuguese savoir faire) as woodworkers and upholsterers, the intricate, sculptural products are built to a standard that is expected by rigorous collectors and, due to their complexity, will be limited in production to 20 units per design.

Ensemble is part of a new arm of De La Espada, one that seeks greater design freedom, guided by our deep-rooted curiosity and commitment to creativity. It protects the spirit of the small workshop of De La Espada’s beginnings over 30 years ago.

This collection draws upon Sam Baron’s extensive design experience, including his time at the great design office of Fabrica in Italy, merged with that of eight members of De La Espada Atelier including André Silva, Bárbara Cruz, Daniela Abrantes, David Taipina, Gonçalo Gonçalves, João Neves, Pedro Machado, and Ruben Constanço.

Learn more about the creative process behind Ensemble in our Journal

Find out more about the designers from the links below:

SAM BARON
DE LA ESPADA ATELIER

Musgo is a sofa that encourages exploration, its curvilinear form offering seating possibilities from every angle. Undulating soft curves of upholstery meet an integrated solid wood stool; deep relaxation meets upright support.

Toro is an unconventional daybed, offering space for lounging solo or with friends. Its form appears to belong on the forest floor, evoking memories of moments of pause in nature.

Escarpa is a feast of texture and form. Its 3-metre-tall solid wood body is punctuated with marble; verdant fabric upholsters its inner face. Recalling the majesty of the forest, it possesses an imposing height and sensuous materiality.

Impressively scaled, recalling the grandeur of forests, Tronco is a celebration of solid wood and its origin. The form showcases the beauty of wood with a backrest over two metres tall and a seat revealing a tapestry of end grain.

Crafted in ceramic, Turfa draws organic material from the earth to form an understated stool/side table, artfully glazed with a melange of greens. Every colour combination is unique due to the artisanal process by which it is made.

Cepo is a sleek reinterpretation of a tree stump, the forest’s original seat and side table. Cepo’s bent solid wood form showcases the beauty of the material and the expert hands that craft it.