ESQVTA have been shortlisted for Interior Design Scheme – Global and Luxury Residence – Global Awards in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about the Owner and Creative Director below:

---

Name: Vitor Almeida

Company: ESQVTA | eu.sei.que.vou.te.amar

Position within company: owner | creative director

Website: www.euseiquevouteamar.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

Degree in Architecture from the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP), city where i was born. In 1999, i completed my degree and began my professional career combining the functions of guest professor at the same faculty with the opening of my architecture office. Inspired by the passion for sophisticated and personalized environments, what begun with private institutional architecture projects quickly became a combination of architecture and interior design. In 2003, i inaugurated the eu.sei.que.vou.te.amar. showrrom also in Porto, extending his activity to interior architecture and designer furniture design.

How would you describe your personal design style?

Very eclectic and adapted to the location, the client and the program. Traits such as rigor in detail or the use of certain types of materials may be a constant, but the final products are always the image of a client, mine and the entire team that works beside me.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Inspiration can come in a variety of ways. I would say that the first inspiration comes with the client. The universe that comes with him, his energy and what I would like to do. It sets the limits. The second inspiration comes from what we are given to work with, whether a blank and totally free sheet, or with some conditions. From there, depending on the program, inspiration borns naturally within a universe of themes each day broader.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Despite the atypical year that 2020 has become, from a creative point of view I am sure that it was atypical too! It was a challenging year. Exiting from the comfort zone. Looking at the world in a way never seen and trying to innovate. The concept of home has changed – houses have never been so lived; The way of communicating has changed – the presentations have to be richer; the form of production has changed – logistical difficulties have made us look more at what we do in our country. In general, I think it forced a cleaner and more honest path, even with losses along the way.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.

Authenticity and originality

Rigor and innovation

National production

Replay

Respect

All of these ingredients are increasingly fundamental in creative production.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Do it with love or leave it.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

They are a clear way of recognizing our work and a powerful vehicle for bringing what we do to the world. In the specific case, the CR apartment was a work embraced as a challenge. It was a job done daily for more than 1 year. During the whole process, it was never dreamed or thought that we would be doing it with the aim of being nominated for prizes or object of publications all over the world. The goal was always to do it rigorously, with authenticity and respect and with one final goal: to make happy an entire family. This almost humility opened endless doors. And here I am writing to you about this. 🙂

What projects are you currently working on?

All unique projects, for unique people. Very special projects always. I only name 3.

We have now finished the execution of a private automobile museum for an incredible customer with an invigorating energy; we are in the final phase of finishings of a fitness studio that allowed us to dream and take construction and finishing solutions a step further; and a shelter house suspended on the slopes of a city in the north of the country.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

I would say that I like my job very much and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I should explain that in our office, in addition to the project area, we have associated the construction part. In addition to the project, we also execute. Nowadays, each proposal constitutes a different challenge, with different layers and different approaches. I can’t name one. They’re all favourites. All children of the same father.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

Definitely the one who is nominated for The International Design & Architecture Awards. It was necessary to make a huge reset to what we received to work. The property already had a long history both from an architectural and heritage point of view, as well as by the previous owner. It was challenging to continue writing a story, linked to this past but detached from it.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

I could not live without my world stable. My team motivated. My work space comfortable. Nothing of this is a product or even a service, but are the essentials.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

Continue a reinvented and adjusted path during 2020. Do an even better job. More coherent and consistent. I would like, in parallel, to have time to dedicate myself to a parallel activity that I really like: photography.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession? estabilidade

Your favourite holiday destination? Brasil

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? I mention 3 in Portugal:

Hotel> Santa Maria do Bouro Monastery, in Braga, where there is in fact an inspiring peace and silence

Restaurant > Café de S. Bento, in Lisbon, not only for the food, but for the beautiful moments of sharing that happened there

Bar > the beach, after buying a drink at the Esplanada da Praia da Luz, in Porto

Your favourite book, film & song?

Book > “101 experi~encias de filosofia cotidiana”

Film > “The Name of The Rose”

Song > “eu sei que vou te amar” – who gave the name to my company!

Your favourite food and drink? Pasta e Aperol Spritz

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Disconnected from the world

Anything else interesting? I think I really am a lucky guy (who works a lot for this)

ESQVTA have been shortlisted in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. 

---

design et al only work with the world’s leading designers.

If you think you have what it takes to complete in The International Design & Architecture Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories