2023 - 2024 PORTUGAL

MADE IN Plant Based Design ResidencIES

ABOUT THE RESIDENCIES

To activate the mapping that was done on the 1st phase of the Made In Platform for Contemporary Crafts & Design project, Passa Ao Futuro organized and facilitated five one-to-one residencies between Designers and basket weavers where the Designers are challenged to create new contemporary pieces utilizing the craftspeople traditional techniques in an innovative way. 

After an immersion into the craft, raw-material, full process (when in the right season, the residency starts with the harvesting of the raw-material), constraints and possibilities the Designer thought of a few options that then were discussed with the craftsperson. Together they decided which ones they tested and developed. A small collection was created out of each residency.

The pieces are made to order for more inquiries go to our products catalogue page.

RESIDENCY 01 - SOFT-RUSH basketry

November 2023 - March 2024

Designed by sam baron
handmade by toino abel

ABOUT the collection

The Campo collection comprises three pieces that, through shaping soft rushes, transform into either a table lamp or a semi-circular sconce. Additionally, they can be used as a tapestry, depicting a wild soft-rush field reminiscent of the Porto de Mós region, which has long been a center of Portuguese soft-rush (junco) basketry.

Inspired by the junco bundle, Sam Baron's concept of utilizing the flower part of the reed has led to several innovations:

• The utilization of the flower section of the soft rush, typically discarded, in the construction process.

• A shift in the production process, avoiding the use of sulphate to fumigate the soft rush, thereby making it more environmentally friendly and expediting production.

• Experimentation with different weaving patterns, resulting in a gradient effect, and the use of colored cotton thread.

This residency had the generous support of:

RESIDENCY 02 - CANE basketry

FEBRUARY 2024

Designed by CHRISTIAN HAAS
handmade by DOMINGOS VAZ

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

"Sundays" baskets are utilitarian with a distinct character, blurring the boundaries between craftsmanship and design. Crafted from cane harvested and prepared by the basket weaver himself.

For decades, this abundant and invasive plant has been primarily utilized in the South of Portugal to create simple and rugged basketry, often serving as an additional source of income for families.

This collection marries traditional cane weaving techniques with subtle yet functional innovation. The handles prominently showcase the raw material, crafted from thick, untrimmed cane that is later shaped into slender strips and interwoven within the basket structure.

SUNDAYS #1

Small cane basket
26 x 14cm (approx. dim.)

SUNDAYS #2

Medium cane basket
44 x 25cm (approx. dim.)

SUNDAYS #3

Medium cane basket (one handle)
42 x 18cm (approx. dim.)

This residency was hosted by:

And had the generous support of:

RESIDENCY 03 - palm basketry

april - august 2024

Designed by joana astolfi
handmade by sónia mendez & susana mendez

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

“Ó la ri Loulé, Ó la ri Loulé” is a collection of bags created in the south of Portugal, where nature vibrates and time passes slowly. Inspired by the traditional elliptical or round shapes used in palm basketry, this collection is based on the simple gesture of folding them in half, creating a space for carrying or storing objects. The result is a pochette, a tote bag and a magazine or newspaper rack for the home.

Playful elements have also been introduced, not only through embroidery, which traditionally were used to decorate this type of palm-made item, but also with the handles, in vibrant colors of blue and red, made with cotton thread on the 'inkle' loom. Attention to every detail celebrates this collection of handmade, contemporary bags, made with love by a mother and daughter.

This residency had the generous support of:

Ó la ri Loulé, ó la ri Loulé

Palm Pochette
20 x 40 cm

Ó la ri Loulé, ó la ri Loulé

Palm Tote bag
61 x 42 cm

Ó la ri Loulé, ó la ri Loulé

Palm Magazine/Newspaper rack
40 x 39 x 8cm

RESIDENCY 04 - BASKET WILLOW basketry

JUNE 2024

Designed by TONI GRILO
handmade by ABÍLIO PEREIRA

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

JUNTO is a collection of wicker furniture that was born out of the collaboration between the designer Toni Grilo and the craftsman Abílio Pereira for Passa ao Futuro.

JUNTO, which means together in Portuguese, is a line of furniture based on traditional Portuguese basketry, with a contemporary and disruptive look.

The collection features a series of stools, chairs, armchairs and sofas, made up of just 2 modular elements, of 2 different heights, which can be joined together to form a multitude of seating types.

From the wicker field located in the region of Barcelos, in the north of Portugal, cultivated by Mr. Abílio himself, the natural material is worked by hand, wicker by wicker, then intertwined to create the elements, in the shape of inverted baskets. These are reinforced by a tubular metal structure on the inside.

JUNTO

Small basket willow module
22 x 45 x 54 cm

JUNTO

Big basket willow module
22 x 75 x 54 cm

This residency had the generous support of:

RESIDENCY 05 - ESPARTO GRASS basketry

APRIL - SEPTEMBER 2024

Designed by HENRIQUE RALHETA
handmade by ISIDORO RAMOS & WOODEN STRUCTURE MADE BY DE LA ESPADA

ABOUT THE COLLECTION

The Espartano (Spartan in english)  low chair and meditation stool / ottoman are based on traditional esparto wheels, used to soften the weight of pitchers carried on the heads, but also as floor seats in moments of rest. These ancestral pieces are re-contextualized here, with minimal changes to the shapes and production methods, and articulated in a discreet wooden structure, revealing new possibilities for comfort and adaptation to new uses.  

They are made using the doormat stitch, one of the unique techniques used in Esparto work - an art recently rehabilitated with the opening of the Loulé Criativo workshop in the village of Sarnadas, where there was an important production center in the mid-20th century.

ESPARTANO

Low chair in esparto grass and walnut wood
60 x 62 x 68 cm - low version
45 x 70 x 80 cm - high version

ESPARTANO

Meditation tool / ottoman
30 x 50 x 20cm

This residency was made in partnership with:

This residency had the generous support of:

These residencies were all organized in the scope of the Made In Platform for Contemporary Crafts & Design and were co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.