Design has always been part of Ando Living’s DNA. It is not simply about aesthetics, but about how architecture, materials, and atmosphere shape the way people experience a place.
To mark World Design Day, Ando Living has partnered with Lisbon Design Week to host a conversation titled “Living with Design: Lisbon’s Creative Ecosystem.” The event brings together voices from across Lisbon’s design landscape — including Michèle Fajtmann (My City & Lisbon Design Week), Joana Astolfi (Studio Astolfi), Maria Rebelo Pinto (Aires Mateus), Camille Wanecq (Creative Director at Ando Living) and Bruno Pereira (Spacegram) — to reflect on how design influences architecture, hospitality, and the experience of urban life.
Over the past decade, Lisbon has quietly established itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic design cities. Designers, architects, artisans, studios, cultural institutions, and independent initiatives form a vibrant creative network that continues to grow and evolve. The upcoming talk aims to explore this ecosystem — how it operates today, how different disciplines collaborate, and how Lisbon continues to position itself as a fertile ground for experimentation and innovation in design.
This discussion also comes at a moment when the design world is increasingly questioning the global “anywhere aesthetic.” For many years, hospitality and residential spaces across major cities began to resemble one another — elegant but often disconnected from their surroundings. Today, a new movement is emerging that prioritises context, local culture, and historical continuity.
Lisbon has become one of the places where this shift is most visible. Contemporary design here often grows directly from the city’s architectural heritage, reinterpreting historic buildings through modern materials, spatial concepts, and new forms of living.
This dialogue between heritage and contemporary design is central to the philosophy of Ando Living. Many of our houses are located in historic buildings that have been carefully restored and transformed, allowing architecture and modern living to coexist in a way that respects the identity of the neighbourhood.
In these projects, design becomes a bridge between past and present. Elements such as natural light, local materials, and spatial rhythm are carefully considered so that each space reflects the character of the city around it.
A good example is Ando Living Abrantes 50 House, where contemporary interiors are integrated within a historic structure, demonstrating how thoughtful design can reinterpret heritage while preserving its architectural spirit.
Another essential part of this approach is collaboration with local designers and artisans. Lisbon’s creative community includes both established voices and a new generation of emerging designers exploring new ideas around materials, sustainability, and spatial storytelling. By working closely with local talent, projects gain a deeper connection to the city’s cultural and creative identity.
Through initiatives such as “Living with Design: Lisbon’s Creative Ecosystem”, Ando Living also aims to open the conversation to younger designers, encouraging dialogue between generations and supporting the continued evolution of Lisbon’s design culture.
The talk will bring together designers, architects, and cultural voices to reflect on the role design plays in shaping the city today. The conversation will explore themes such as creative collaboration, the transformation of heritage spaces, and the future of Lisbon as a global design destination.
The evening will also include an exclusive preview of Lisbon Design Week 2026, offering a glimpse into the next chapter of the city’s creative landscape.
Ultimately, the idea behind the event is simple: design is not only about objects or interiors. It is about how we live in spaces, how we experience cities, and how architecture, culture, and creativity come together to shape everyday life.
