Isabel Loureiro is member of the Board of the Guimarães 2026 European Green Capital and Co-President of its Scientific Committee. As General Coordinator of the Guimarães 2030 Mission Structure, she contributes to connecting the multiple components of the multi-governance ecosystem underpinning Guimarães 2030. Isabel Loureiro defines herself as a strong believer in Human Capital — a curious and passionate professional committed to making things happen by consistently identifying opportunities for improvement. She is focused on effective strategic planning grounded in Purpose, Performance, People, and Process.
Keynote Speakers
ÁLVARO CATALÁN DE OCÓN
Designer
Alvaro Catalán de Ocón (Madrid, 1975) is a designer known for the captivating aesthetics, simplicity, and functionality of his designs, which blend straightforwardness and social commitment. After receiving education and training at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan and the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, he established his studio in Barcelona in 2004.
He is part of the SoloneSatellite in 2007 and 2010 wining the Design Report Award in this last edition where he presented together with Francesco Faccin some of his most iconic products such as Cornucopia or LaFlaca later on manufactured by Metalarte and wining the Design + Award in the Frankfurt Light+Building fair.
He moved his studio to Madrid in 2009 and has since been recognised with several more awards, including the AD, ADI FAD or Ro Guiltless Plastic among others. His PET Lamp project, launched in 2012 and co-created with Enrique Romero de la Llana and Sebastián Betanzo, has gained global recognition, with collections in various countries, numerous awards, and nominations.
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His works form part of the collections of the Centre Pompidou (Paris, France), Victoria and Albert Museum (London, United Kingdom), National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia), Denver Art Museum (Denver, United States), Centre National des Arts Plastiques (Paris, France), M+ West Kowloon Museum (Hong Kong), MAK Design Lab (Vienna, Austria), among others.
In 2023, Alvaro Catalán de Ocón was awarded the National Design Award by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, recognising his global influence and his focus on sustainability and cultural diversity. In the same year, his studio also received the MINI Design Award for “Enabling the Outdoors/Naturalising the City,” highlighting its dedication to urban sustainability and material innovation.
FERNANDO LAPOSSE
DESIGNER
Fernando Laposse’s work embodies the essence of Learning with Nature. Rather than imposing form or technology, his practice begins by listening ,to materials, to territory and to the communities that have long coexisted with them.
Through research-driven processes and close collaboration with Indigenous knowledge systems, Laposse reveals the ecological, cultural and social intelligence embedded in natural materials often dismissed as marginal or low-value. Sisal, loofah and corn leaves become carriers of memory, resilience and continuity.
At Design Commit 2026, his keynote invites designers, researchers and industry leaders to reconsider material culture as a site of regeneration,where design operates not as extraction, but as care, reciprocity and long-term responsibility.
ANNA HERINGER
Architect
Anna Heringer is an architect, activist and educator who sees architecture as a tool to improve lives. She gained international recognition with the METI School in Bangladesh and has since developed a practice that spans Asia, Africa and Europe, grounded in the use of natural materials such as earth, bamboo and wood.
Her work positions architecture as a catalyst for local development: strengthening cultural confidence, supporting local economies and fostering ecological balance. Through participatory processes and close collaboration with communities, she creates buildings that are socially engaged, environmentally responsible and deeply rooted in place.
For Anna, sustainability is a synonym for beauty: a harmonious relationship between design, structure, materials, context and people. Her approach embodies a vision of architecture that nurtures both society and the environment: a practice guided by her enduring belief that “Form Follows Love.”
RUI COUTINHO
Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Board Member - Grupo Mota Engil
Rui Coutinho is Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Board Member at Mota-Engil Next (MEXT) and Adjunct Professor of Innovation at NOVA SBE. A globally recognized keynote speaker and author, his book The Innovation Metabolism: Building the Next Legacy in a World of Permanent Change will be published in 2026.
He previously held senior roles at NOVA SBE, as Executive Director of the Innovation Ecosystem, and Porto Business School, where he founded the Center for Business Innovation and co-created the Digital MBA (ranked #8 globally by the Financial Times).
Rui has led innovation strategies with organizations such as IKEA, Ford, Philip Morris International, Generali, Sogrape, Grupo José de Mello, Jerónimo Martins, Novo Banco, and SIBS.
DESIGN COMMIT 2026 is proud to partner with Mota-Engil Next (MEXT), through EMERGE: Mota-Engil Real Estate Developers, in a strategic collaboration focused on the future of the built environment and large-scale systems.
OUR CONFERENCE CHAIRS
MARIA JOÃO FÉLIX
GENERAL CHAIR
Academic and designer whose career is marked by a deep commitment to the fields of industrial design, education, industry, circular economy, and sustainability.
Recently completed her postdoctoral research in Design, titled “Bioneurodesign: From Noetics to Supermodernity” at the Lisbon School of Architecture, reflecting her dedication to expanding the boundaries of design and practice.
In a pivotal role, Maria João Félix serves as the founder and General Chair of the international conference “Design Commit” a platform that bridges the worlds of design and industry, fostering collaboration and innovation. Her leadership in this capacity underscores her passion for advancing design and industrial synergy.
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Beyond her conference leadership, Maria João Félix is an author, with her book, “Strategic Reflection for Design in Portugal: Systematization of internationally produced thinking on the contours of research in the field of design,” emphasizing her commitment to elevating Portuguese design both nationally and internationally. Maria João Félix’s academic journey includes earning her Ph.D. in Design from the Lisbon School of Architecture in 2013. In 2006, she completed her Master’s in Industrial Design through a collaboration between the School of Arts and Design of Matosinhos | ESAD and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto | FEUP. Her academic foundation was laid in 1998 when she obtained her degree in Design, specializing in Equipment, from the School of Arts and Design of Matosinhos | ESAD. Her professional journey has been characterized by her dedication to teaching in higher education and her work as an Industrial Designer. Maria João Félix has continuously strived to bridge the gap between academia and industry, emphasizing the importance of adapting educational programs to meet the evolving challenges and market demands within the design industry. From 2012 to 2015, she held the position of a Member of the Council for Evaluation and Quality at the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave. During this time, she actively coordinated evaluation and quality efforts, ensuring the highest standards at the School of Technology | EST and later taking on the role of Coordinator of the School of Design | ESD. Her responsibilities included overseeing self-assessment processes for undergraduate and master’s degree programs, actively contributing to quality committees, and preparing comprehensive reports. Maria João Félix has held significant roles in academia, including Director of the Department of Industrial and Product Design, Director of the Undergraduate Program in Industrial Design, Director of the Master’s Program in Design and Product Development, and head of the Scientific Area of Industrial Design. Her influence is evident in the restructuring of curricular programs, aligning them with the practical needs of the design industry. Her commitment to pedagogical excellence led to a public commendation (no. 1446/2011) for achieving the highest overall average among lecturers at the School of Technology of the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, where she taught seven courses over three years. Currently, Maria João Félix holds the position of Director of the Master’s Program in Design and Product Development and is actively involved in the Technical-Scientific and Pedagogical Councils of ESD_IPCA. She is also an author and reviewer for scientific publications in accredited international journals and has played a pivotal role in organizing scientific events in the field of Industrial Design. Maria João Félix embarked on her career as a designer in 2006, creating a diverse portfolio of works that have been showcased at various fairs and events. She was honored with the Mobis 2001 Prize in recognition of her significant contributions to the design industry.
PAULO CRUZ
GENERAL CHAIR
Paulo J. S. Cruz is a Full Professor of Construction and Technology at the School of Architecture, Art and Design of the University of Minho and Researcher at the Laboratory of Landscapes, Heritage and Territory (Lab2PT). President of the School of Architecture, Art and Design (2021-2023 and 2004-2011). Pro-Rector of the University of Minho for Quality of Life and Infrastructure (2017-2021). Director of Lab2PT – Laboratory of Landscapes, Heritage and Territory (2015-2017). President of the Design Institute of Guimarães (since 2015). Editor-in-Chief of the Journal “Architecture, Structures and Construction”, Springer (since 2021).
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The R&D activity aims to drive the convergence of Architecture, Construction, and Technology through pioneering research and education related to recent breakthroughs in the art, practice, and theory within these multidisciplinary domains. He devoted his efforts to create and promote a set of laboratorial facilities with a vast potential for research, development and innovation: (1) The Laboratory of Construction and Technology; (2) The Advanced Ceramics Laboratory; (3) The Advanced Design & Technology Lab. The Architecture, Construction and Technology Hub aggregates those facilities and envisages the interdisciplinary collaboration to address emerging challenges (actech.uminho.pt).
FÁTIMA POMBO
CHAIR
Fátima Pombo is Full Professor of Design, Director of the Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture [ID+] at the University of Aveiro, having performed other scientific management responsibilities. She was a visiting professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, for almost a decade and lectured within the Erasmus programme at other European Universities.
Engaging in international research projects and conferences, she participates in several academic activities and serving, among others, as a design jury member for the iF Design Award in Germany, for the Evaluation Panel of FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology and for the Evaluation Commission of A3ES -Accreditation of Study Programmes.
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Her main research interests are phenomenology of design, spatial design, interior design and aesthetics of sustainability. Her research appears in scientific publications, including Routledge, Idea Journal, the Journal of Interior Design, Springer, Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, Architectoni.ca.
Fátima Pombo, an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation postdoctoral fellow, conducted research at the University of Munich and at the University of Heidelberg. Beyond academia, she studied Music at the Conservatório de Música do Porto.
FERNANDO MOREIRA DA SILVA
CHAIR
Full Professor Emeritus, with Habilitation in Design; PhD in Built Environment and PhD in Architecture – Visual Communication; MPhil in Color in Interiors; Post-Doctorate in Inclusive Design and Visual Communication Design; Integrated researcher at CIAUD – Research Center for Architecture, Urbanism and Design; Honorary Researcher at SURFACE – Inclusive Design Research Centre, University of Salford (UK); Coordinator of several Research Projects in the field of Design.
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Supervisor of more than 90 Master Dissertations, 62 PhD Thesis and 25 Post-Doc; Jury member of numerous Master, PhD and Habilitation; Evaluation panels member for ALBAN, PROTEC Program, CNPq (Brazil) and the Italian Agency ANVUR; Lecturer in Design, Fashion, Inclusive Design, Sustainability and Color; Coordinator of several international conferences and exhibitions; Author of 3 books, several book chapters, articles, papers and communications in Design, Fashion, Color, Inclusivity, Methodologies and Accessibility.
RITA ALMENDRA
CHAIR
Rita Assoreira Almendra has been a Full Professor of Design since 2023 at the University of Lisbon (FAULisboa). She holds a Habilitation and a PhD in Design from FAULisboa (2010). She earned an MBA in Management with a specialization in Marketing (2002) and a Master’s degree in Design Management (2004) from the Portuguese Catholic University, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Design (1998) from the Technical University of Lisbon.
She is the Head of the Department of Project Design and the coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Design; she coordinated the 3rd cycle (Architecture, Urbanism, and Design) until May 2024. She served for eight years on the Scientific Council, where she was vice-president for two years. At CIAUD, she is an integrated researcher and coordinated the Design Research Group for 12 years, until October 2024.
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She has published more than 20 articles and 50 book chapters, co-authored 2 books, edited 4 books, and delivered 70 conference presentations. She has supervised 23 completed PhD theses, currently supervises 13 ongoing doctoral projects, and has supervised more than 70 master’s dissertations. She has participated in over 100 master’s juries and 45 doctoral juries, organized conferences, and serves as a reviewer for various journals and conferences.
She served as a panel member for FCT doctoral grants in Design for three years, as co-coordinator for one year, and as coordinator in 2024. She is an invited evaluator for PRIN. She has participated in 33 academic selection committees across 8 schools for faculty recruitment.
THEMATIC PANELS
European Green Capital 2026
DESIGN AS A PUBLIC TOOL FOR ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION
ISABEL LOUREIRO
Board of the Guimarães 2026 European Green Capital
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She is working as expert for the European Commission and she is invited professor at University of Minho, where she is also member of the Industrial Engineering and Management Research and Development Line at Algoritmi research Centre. She is certified by Harvard Business School in Sustainable Business Strategy and by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Climate-KIC (a body from the European Union) in Accelerating Transitions focusing on a systems level towards a low carbon. She holds a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a Master in Human Engineering both from the University of Minho, Portugal.
RICARDO ARAÚJO
President of the Municipal Council of Guimarães
Ricardo Araújo (Guimarães, 6 October 1977) has been Mayor of Guimarães since October 2025. He holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Minho, an Executive MBA from Porto Business School, and international training in leadership, strategy, and innovation.
He was part of the senior management team at EFACEC, working in the areas of strategic planning and electric mobility, and held national and international roles related to youth and sport. In this field, he stood out as President of Movijovem – Youth Mobility and Tourism, Member of the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, Deputy Secretary-General of the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sport of the CPLP – Community of Portuguese Language Countries – and Member of the Board of Directors of the OIJ – Ibero-American Youth Organization. He also served as a Member of Parliament (16th and 17th Legislatures) and has been a City Councillor in Guimarães since 2013.
PORTUGUESE DESIGN
Industry, Responsibility and Future Practice
TONI GRILO
Designer and art director
Designer and art director, Toni Grilo was born in France in 1979.
Graduated from Ecole Boulle in Paris in 2001, he then went to Portugal, finding his roots. He discovers a country rich in industry, a strong craft tradition and then becomes obsessed with the beauty of technical processes and materials.
After various collaborations, he founded in 2008 his own studio, drawing objects, furniture and spaces.
He creates several brands of contemporary and timeless design pieces, such as Riluc in 2009, Haymann Editions in 2012, Blackcork in 2014. He also created the fair LXD Lisboa Design Show and became art director of the prestigious centenary silver brand Topázio from 2013 to 2016.
In 2019, he founded INOT, a free edition of exceptional pieces in collaboration with craftmen.
His work is part of private collections, such as the Thierry Barbier-Mueller collection. It is present in museums such as the MUDE in Lisbon, the MADE in Évora, the Museo Automovilístico de Málaga, the MUDAC in Lausanne and the Mobilier National in Paris.
FILIPE ALARCÃO
Product and SpaTial Designer
He lives and works in Lisbon. He holds a degree in Equipment Design from Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa and a Master’s in Industrial Design from Domus Academy in Milan, the city where he lived and worked with Michele De Lucchi. He is an Associate Professor at ESAD.CR – Escola Superior de Artes e Design das Caldas da Rainha and a member of the research center LI.DA – Laboratório de Investigação em Design e Artes at the same school.
Filipe Alarcão received the National Design Award from the Centro Português de Design, and his work is represented in several public and private collections. It is included in the collection of MUDE – Museu do Design, where he held a solo exhibition in 2011–2012.
His work as a designer focuses mainly on product design and spatial design, while occasionally creating installations in gallery spaces. He has developed projects with numerous Portuguese companies such as Vista Alegre, Molde Ceramics, Amorim Cork Composites, Iduna and Larus.
In the field of spatial design, he is the author of the museographic project for Casa Ásia – Coleção Francisco Capelo, recently inaugurated in Lisbon, and the exhibition equipment for the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Elvas. He also works as a curator and artistic director for various initiatives.
He conceived and coordinated the editorial project “The Cork Book” for Amorim Cork Composites, which received an honourable mention at the prestigious international design award Compasso d’Oro in Italy.
TRANSDISCIPLINARY PATHS
Design, Public Responsibility and Planetary Transitions
CARLOS RIBEIRO
Biologist, Researcher, and University Lecturer - President of the Landscape Laboratory
He is a member of the Executive Board of the Mission Unit for the European Green Capital 2026 and Co-Chair of its Scientific Committee, contributing to climate governance, nature-based urban strategies, and the transition towards climate-neutral cities.
Before joining the Landscape Laboratory in 2015, he spent six years as a researcher at the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology. A European Climate Pact Ambassador, he actively promotes climate action through community engagement, education, and sustainability initiatives.
Academically, he holds degrees in Applied Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Minho, a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Porto, and a postgraduate qualification in Professional Football Management from the Portuguese Catholic University. He supervises graduate research and leads national and international projects at the science-policy-governance interface.
HELENA FREITAS
Professor of Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Coimbra
Helena Freitas is Full Professor of Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Coimbra and recipient of the 2024 EEF Ernst Haeckel Award for outstanding contributions to European ecological science. She coordinates the Centre for Functional Ecology, advancing research that bridges science, societal well-being, and environmental sustainability.
Her work spans Mediterranean ecosystems, agroecology, conservation biology, microbial ecology, and environmental policy, with a strong emphasis on applied research and EU-funded projects focused on agroecology, agrifood systems, and landscape management.
Since 2013, she has held the UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity Safeguard for Sustainable Development. She has founded and led major environmental organizations in Portugal and across Europe. In 2025, she was awarded the National Prize for Science.
JOÃO PEDRO COSTA
PRESIDENT OF CIAUD
João Pedro Costa is an Architect, PhD in Urbanism, and full professor of Urbanism at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Lisbon. He is the President of CIAUD – the Research Centre of Architecture, Urbanism and Design: https://ciaud.fa.ulisboa.pt/index.php/en/
He is currently engaged in research activities, coordinating, and participating in international teams and networks focusing on urban and spatial planning policies, and adaptation to climate change. This research effort is complemented by university extension activities, notably recent contributions to the development of Timor-Leste’s spatial planning system. A significant milestone was achieved in 2016 with the approval of the Spatial Plan for the Island of Ataúro, marking the country’s inaugural regulatory planning instrument.
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By 2023, the Municipal Spatial Plans (PMOT) for Bobonaro and Ermera were ratified under the new Land Use Planning Framework Law, while the PMOTs for Baucau, Lautém, and Viqueque are in their final stages of development. He represents CIAUD at the IFoU (International Forum on Urbanism) network, and earned 8 national and 3 international awards, including the Scientific Prize of the University of Lisbon in Architecture in 2013, 2018 and 2023.
He served as the director of the Portuguese professional journal ‘Arquitecturas’ from 2005 to 2015. In the 2017 municipal elections in Portugal, he ran as a candidate for Vice-President of the City of Lisbon, representing the Social Democrat Party. He subsequently served as a Councillor at the City Council without executive functions. Prior to this, he held positions as an Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for Spatial Planning between 2002 and 2004.
FÁTIMA POMBO
director of the ID+ Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture
Fátima Pombo is Professor of Design, director of the ID+ Research Institute for Design, Media and Culture, and director of the Master in Product Design and Engineering at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. She was a visiting professor at the University of Leuven, Belgium, at the Architecture department for almost a decade until 2016. Engaging in international research projects and conferences, she is a sought-after expert, participating in academic activities and serving, among others, as a design jury member for the iF Design Award in Germany.
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Her research appears in scientific publications, including Routledge, Idea Journal, the Journal of Interior Design, Springer, Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, and Architectoni.ca. Fátima Pombo, an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation postdoctoral fellow, conducted research at the University of Munich and at the University of Heidelberg. Beyond academia, she is cellist, perceiving music as the heartbeat of the world.
PAULA TRIGUEIROS
Product Design Professor, researcher LAB2PT
Paula Trigueiros is Assistant Professor in Product Design at the Architectural School of University of Minho. Paula has an extensive teaching and research experience that concerns the delivery of inclusive design solutions that specifically involve people with diverse characteristics and needs, e.g., older people and people with disabilities. She teaches Product and Service Design at the School of Architecture, Art and Design and promotes inclusion through Design within her academic activities and social role. Reflecting on her experience on the subject, she created a Service Design tool for promoting inclusion, which is delivered in her most recent book: “Inspiring Designers – Mapping as means to inspire Inclusion by Design” (2024. Moreover, Paula is an active member of teachers’ community of practices concerning teaching innovation, Universal Design for Learning, Technologies at the classroom, and Transforming Assessment for Learning within UMinho.
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Her research appears in scientific publications, including Routledge, Idea Journal, the Journal of Interior Design, Springer, Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology, and Architectoni.ca. Fátima Pombo, an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation postdoctoral fellow, conducted research at the University of Munich and at the University of Heidelberg. Beyond academia, she is cellist, perceiving music as the heartbeat of the world.
DESIGN AS A STRATEGIC DRIVER
Public Innovation, Industry and Territorial Transition
SÍLVIA GARCIA
Board Member at the Portuguese Innovation Agency
Sílvia Garcia is a Board Member at the Portuguese Innovation Agency (ANI). She holds a PhD in Biotechnology, a postgraduate degree in Industrial Management, and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Science and Technology at NOVA University Lisbon (FCT NOVA). She combines a strong scientific background with a strategic vision for innovation and public policy.
With around 20 years of experience at the intersection of science, technology and society, she has dedicated her career to promoting a culture of collaborative innovation, developing public policies that value knowledge, and building bridges between the scientific community and industry. Her work has focused on driving multidisciplinary R&D projects, both national and international, and on fostering strategic partnerships that promote emerging technologies and strengthen Portugal’s innovation ecosystem.
ALEXANDRA VILELA
President of the board of COMPETE 2030
Holding a degree in Sociology and a postgraduate degree in Financial and Budgetary Management and Control, Alexandra Vilela is the President of the board of COMPETE 2030.
She was an executive member of the board of directors of ANI — National Innovation Agency, S.A., a member of the executive committee of the Innovation, Technology and Circular Economy Fund (FITEC), an executive member of the steering committee of the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalisation — COMPETE2020, an executive member of the steering committee of the Operational Programme Human Capital (POCH), and an executive member of the steering committee of the Operational Programme Human Potential (POPH).
PRODEP III Manager.
She served as an advisor to the Directorate-General for Regional Development (DGDR).
She was Coordinator of the Innovation and Knowledge Mission Unit (UMIC), Manager of the axes aimed at Administrative Modernization — ESF and ERDF — QCA III, integrated into the Operational Programmes Employment and Social Development (POEFDS) and Information Society (POSI).
MADALENA ALVES
President of the Board of Directors of FCT
Madalena Alves is a Full Professor of Biological Engineering at the University of Minho. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Porto, a Master’s in Biochemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, and a PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Minho. She has been President of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) since 1 July 2022.
She has held coordination and scientific and academic management roles at the University of Minho, having directed the Centre of Biological Engineering and actively participated in collegiate bodies, namely the School Council and the Scientific Council of the School of Engineering. Between 2007 and 2009, she was director of the founding committee of the UMinho Agency for Energy and the Environment, an institutional initiative.
Her scientific work focuses mainly on Environmental Biotechnology, with a particular emphasis on biotechnological processes associated with the production and consumption of gases. She has participated, as principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or team member, in numerous research projects funded by national and European programmes. She has developed collaborations with international research networks and has served on scientific evaluation panels for several international agencies, such as the Helmholtz Association (Germany) and the European Research Council (ERC), of which she has been a panel member since 2021.
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She has undertaken several medium- and long-term research stays at internationally renowned institutions, including the J. Craig Venter Institute (USA), the Environmental Change Institute in Galway (Ireland), and Wageningen University (Netherlands).
She was the founder of a University of Minho spin-off in the field of Environmental Biotechnology, where she served as Scientific Director between 2007 and 2014. This business initiative became part of an industrial group with international operations, stemming from the valorisation of knowledge generated in pioneering R&D projects that she led.
Between January 2021 and March 2022, she was a member of the Council of the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), appointed by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education. She later assumed the Presidency of that Council between July 2022 and December 2023, transitioning to the Vice-Presidency, a position she currently holds.
She is a full member of the Academy of Engineering, a member of the Advisory Board of the Viana do Castelo District Delegation of SEDES, and of the Advisory Board of COTEC Portugal. She has received several awards and distinctions, including the Lettinga Award 2004, granted by a consortium of Dutch environmental technology companies, and the BES Innovation Award 2005. In 2009, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași (Romania), and has also received honorary distinctions from the Municipal Councils of Viana do Castelo and Braga.
DESIGN AT HUMAN & TERRITORIAL SCALE
Material, Culture and Responsible Making
HUGO SILVA
Designer
Hugo Silva is a Portuguese designer working at the intersection of product, technology and applied research. Graduated in Design from theUniversity of Aveiro, he develops integrated solutions that connectstrategic thinking, mechanical design and user experience. His practicespans equipment design, interactive systems and digital interfaces, with a strong focus on feasibility, industrialisation and intellectual property.
As co-founder of DAM, Hugo has led the development of sustainablefurniture and product collections rooted in Portuguese materials andproduction culture. Alongside his studio work, he collaborates in research and innovation projects bridging academia and industry, translating experimental concepts into market-ready outcomes.
Driven by curiosity, he uses drawing as a thinking tool and approacheseach project as a structured process — balancing concept, engineeringconstraints and identity to create solutions that are both robust andmeaningful.
MATTERPIECES - Luís Lima & Patrícia Gomes
Stone, Territory and Contemporary Material Expression
Matterpieces is a circular design brand reimagining demolition waste as high-quality architectural surfaces. Founded by architects driven by sustainability and material innovation, the studio applies circular economy principles to transform discarded materials into refined floors, walls, furniture, and bespoke design elements. Through collaborative strategies and design-led processes, Matterpieces challenges traditional material cycles, reduces the environmental impact of construction waste, and brings aesthetic, technical, and ecological value to the built environment.
Patrícia Gomes holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Minho and is co-founder of Studio8 and Matterpieces. Her work focuses on sustainability, circular design, and the reinvention of construction practices through material reuse. Between 2013 and 2019, she worked at feld72 in Vienna, developing co-housing and social housing projects while deepening her interest in public space and participatory methodologies. She also founded the collective Prosaico, dedicated to community-driven architectural interventions in public space. Her trajectory reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social impact, positioning circularity as a driver for transforming architecture and the built environment.
FROM LOCAL INTELLIGENCE TO GLOBAL IMPACT
Curating Design Across Territories
GABRIEL TAN
Principal of Gabriel Tan Studio and Studio Antimatter & Co-founder of Origin Made
Gabriel Tan is a Singaporean designer based in Porto who founded Gabriel Tan Studio in 2016. Working at cultural intersections, he explores new approaches to tradition, craft, and technology. He designs for renowned brands including B&B Italia, Herman Miller, and Louis Poulsen, while also creative directing Japanese furniture brand Ariake and craft-driven design brand Origin Made. His interior design practice, Studio Antimatter, works on selective residential and hospitality projects. Gabriel’s work has received international recognition, including the Industrial Designers Society of America’s IDEA Award, Japan Good Design Award, and the 2025 President’s Design Award for Designer of the Year, Singapore’s highest design accolade.
Gabriel Tan co-founded Origin Made with Cherie Er as they believed in something simple: that the people who make objects matter as much as the objects themselves and that the world’s vanishing artisanal traditions deserve a future. Established in Porto in 2019, the brand connects world-class designers with master craftspeople, transforming heritage skills into furniture, lighting, textiles, and collectible objects. By working directly with small family-run workshops and solo artisans, Origin Made gives new life to local materials and techniques, where each piece celebrates human handcraft.
DESIGN AS A STRATEGIC INTERFACE
Technology, Industry and Green Transition
ANTÓNIO BRAZ COSTA
Mechanical Engineer
António Braz Costa is a mechanical engineer graduated from the University of Minho and a senior leader of R&D organisations with more than three decadesof experience. He began his professional career simultaneously as a lecturer atthe University of Minho and working in the automotive industry. In the 1990s, hemoved into the management of research and technology organisations, takingon the role of General Manager of an RTO.
He is currently General Manager of CITEVE – the Technological Centre for theTextile and Clothing Industries of Portugal – a position he has held since 2009, following an earlier mandate between 2000 and 2005. He also serves as Executive President of CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and AdvancedMaterials, after more than a decade as Executive Board Member.
At European level, he is President of TEXTRANET, the European Network ofTextile RTOs, and Vice-President of the Textile ETP – the European TechnologyPlatform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing.
JOANA FERREIRA
Head Designer - Amorim Cork Solutions
Joana Ferreira is the Head of Design at Amorim Cork Solutions (Flooring), where she leads the design innovation of flooring solutions. Her professional identity is deeply rooted in a multi-generational legacy of craftsmanship, a heritage refined through specialized training at Escola Artística Soares dos Reis, followed by a Bachelor’s in Graphic Engineering and a Degree in Design from the Escola Superior de Tecnologia, Gestão e Design (IPP).
In her current leadership role, Joana spearheads the development of innovative flooring collections. Specializing in digital printing technology and agile methodologies, she bridges ancestral knowledge with cutting-edge innovation. A regular presence at international design events, Joana focuses on driving growth through design-led transformation and an unwavering respect for the ‘soul’ of the material. For the past 14 years, her work has represented a unique synthesis of technical excellence, global trend integration, and a deep intuition for the natural essence of cork.
FRANCISCO NEVES
CEO and co-founder of Stravillia Sustainability Hub
Francisco Neves is CEO and co-founder of Stravillia Sustainability Hub, where he has worked for nearly two decades in sustainability consulting, focusing on strategy development, ESG reporting and communication, materiality analysis, stakeholder engagement, sustainable finance, and team capacity building.
He holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT-NOVA) and a postgraduate qualification in Marketing – Integrated Communication from ISCTE. Throughout his professional career, he has combined consulting experience with work in local government and in waste management and treatment, which has given him an integrated perspective on public policies, operations, and real-world implementation challenges.
PORTUGAL AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER IN GLOBAL MARKETS
Industrial Capability, Skilled Manufacturing and Internationalisation
SARA SANTOS
Business Development Manager for Home Decor Sector / International Trade and Promotion Department - AICEP
Sara Santos holds a degree in Corporate Communication and a Master’s in International Economics and Management from FEP – University of Porto, with a focus oninternational business and market expansion.
She joined AICEP in 2019 at the Copenhagen office and was based in Paris between 2020 and2023, where she managed the Home & Décor sector in the French market and supportedPortuguese companies in their international positioning. During this period, she coordinated thefirst collective Portuguese participation under the umbrella brand MADE IN PORTUGAL naturally at Paris Design Week.
Since 2024, Sara has been working as Business Development Manager for the Home DecorSector, leading the strategic development and international promotion of the Portuguese Home& Decor Cluster, and collaborating closely with the different stakeholders in the sector. She hasalso been involved in external promotion initiatives for the Home sector in multiple markets, including recently in Saudi Arabia, a market that has generated significant interest fromPortuguese companies.
LIPOR - From Waste Management to Biodiversity Systems
Circular Infrastructure as Regenerative Design
DIANA NICOLAU
LIPOR - Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Unit
Degree in Biology and Geology, from Aveiro University (Portugal) and Certificate to Trainer (CAP) with pedagogical competence.
She has been working since 2004 to actual date, in LIPOR – Municipalities Association for Sustainable Waste Management of Greater Porto (Portugal).
Currently, she is responsible for the Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Unit. She is also the project manager on Circular Economy and on Biodiversity. As a trainer at the LIPOR Academy, she organizes and dynamizes Training Programs.
Represents and promotes the Organization in several initiatives such as conferences, seminars, meetings and working groups, internal and external (National and European level).
Between 2020 and 2024, she collaborated with ISEP – Engineering Institute of Oporto, as a teacher of a Curricular Unit “Environmental Techniques for Industry”, in the Postgraduate Degree “Integrated Management Systems of Quality, Environment and Safety”.
Climate Residencies Programme
Guimarães 26 Capital Verde Europeia
ANA SOUSA
Landscape Architect
Holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. She is a Landscape Architect at the Landscape Laboratory, with experience in planning, recovery and restoration of fluvial ecosystems, urban integration and management, as well as the design and management of urban and/or rural green areas.
Musical PROGRAMME
Music Department – University of Minho
Artistic Direction
Vítor Matos
Head of Department – Music Department University of Minho
Ângelo Martingo
Deputy Director – Music Department University of Minho
CONFERENCE OPENING CEREMONY
Artistic supervision: João Dias
Performers (Percussion Ensemble – Students)
– Fábio Saraiva — Percussion
– Pedro Arrieche — Percussion
– Simão Veiga — Percussion
– Filipe Abreu — Percussion
– Hugo Silva — Percussion
João Dias is a percussionist who holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree from ESMAE (School of Music and Performing Arts), having studied under Miquel Bernat, Manuel Campos, and Nuno Aroso.
In 2016, he began a PhD in Musical Arts – Instrumental Practice at NOVA FCSH and ESML, supported by a doctoral scholarship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
He has been a member of Drumming GP since 2004, with whom he has premiered dozens of works by composers of various nationalities. He has recorded eight monographic CDs dedicated to percussion works by featured composers, as well as contributing to three additional recordings not officially signed by the group.
João Dias was also a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra (2006–2009), where he worked with renowned musicians such as conductor and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy, Rainer Seegers (Berliner Philharmoniker), and Simon Carrington (London Philharmonic Orchestra).
In 2016, he created Caixa Elétrica, a solo project dedicated to the dissemination of Portuguese percussion music, which was presented at the Darmstadt Summer Course in 2018.
In 2018, he received support from Criatório for his solo project DiRE-SoNo: Discourses of (R)Evolution of Sound in Space.
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Together with composer José Alberto Gomes, he is the artistic director of the Supernova Ensemble, where he also performs as an interpreter. Supernova is a project incubated within the artist-in-residence programme of Circular – Associação Cultural, created to engage with an international community dedicated to innovative music practices across performance, Sound Art, and New Media. The project places a strong emphasis on collaboration and brings together artists from diverse backgrounds and orientations.
PaceD is his most recent project, a percussion duo developed in collaboration with percussionist João Carlos Pacheco.
He has been involved in several other projects and collaborations, notably his recent work as an artist-in-residence within the COPRAXIS Ectopia project at i3S (Institute for Research and Innovation in Health). In collaboration with artist José Alberto Gomes, he developed a body of work exploring the intersection between art and science, specifically with the Epithelial Polarity & Cell Division research group led by Eurico Morais de Sá. This collaboration resulted in the artwork/installation “And it keeps going or the never-ending song of life.”
He is a researcher at GIMC–CESEM, where his work focuses on mediation and collaboration between composer and performer in the creation of new music. He is also a member of the Sond’Ar-te Electric Ensemble and collaborates with Sonoscopia, Remix Ensemble, and Coro Casa da Música, among others. He teaches at the University of Aveiro and the University of Minho.
MUSICAL WELCOME MARCH 27TH
Artistic supervision: Gil Magalhães
Performers (Students)
– Francisca Barbosa Vaz — Flute
– Telma da Cruz Amante — Clarinet
– Rui Vieira Freitas Cancela Nogueira — Bassoon
– Rui Nuno André Brás — Horn
About Gil Magalhães
Gil Magalhães (b. 1974, Porto) holds a PhD in Musicology/Musical Performance from the University of Aveiro. He previously completed a degree in Music (Flute) at the School of Music and Performing Arts of Porto (ESMAE), and undertook further training with Auréle Nicolet, Jorge Caryevschi, Félix Renggli, Sabina Laurain, Olavo Barros, and Eduardo Lucena.
He was awarded 1st Regional Prize in the Juventude Musical Portuguesa competitions (1988 and 1990), and achieved first place in competitions for the Luso-French Youth Symphony Orchestra, Portuguese Youth Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Music Schools, and the Northern Regional Orchestra. He was a permanent member of the Orquestra do Norte from 1993 to 2004, serving as Principal Flute/Soloist A/Section Leader from 1998 to 2004.
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He is the founder of the ExpressOriente Duo with guitarist Carlos Lima, a project focused on contemporary repertoire. He is the dedicatee of solo and chamber music works by composers such as Christopher Bochmann, Ângela Lopes, Rui Dias, Pedro Junqueira Maia, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho, Antero Ávila, Hélder Bettencourt, Jorge de Campos, and Hugo Lopes, among others. He has participated in numerous world premieres and recorded for RTP, SIC, and Antena 2, also contributing to the extensive discography of the Orquestra do Norte.
From 1993 to 2004, he was Conductor/Artistic Director of the Banda de Música de Sabrosa. Between 2004 and 2012, he held the same role at the Sociedade Artística – Banda de Música de Vale de Cambra, and from 2012 to 2020 at the Banda de Música da Sociedade Musical de Arcos de Valdevez. Since November 2024, he has again assumed the position of Conductor/Artistic Director of the Sociedade Artística Banda de Vale de Cambra.
He has held several academic positions as a flute teacher, including at ISEIT–Mirandela (2005–2007) and Conservatório da Jobra (2008–2016), among other institutions in artistic education. He has also delivered numerous training sessions, workshops, and masterclasses as a guest lecturer.
From October 2008 to July 2025, he served as Invited Assistant Professor at the Department of Music, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Minho, teaching Flute, Performance Techniques, and Chamber Music. Between 2021 and 2024, he was also Invited Assistant Professor at the School of Arts of the Portuguese Catholic University.
He taught Flute and Chamber Music at the Conservatório de Guimarães from October 1997 to July 2025. He is currently Assistant Professor at the Department of Music, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Minho.
HOST
CARLA ASCENÇÃO
TV News anchor, journalist and event host
Award-winning TV News Anchor, Journalist and International Event Host with over 20 years of experience in broadcast journalism, live televisionand on-stage communication.
Throughout my career, I have worked as a News Anchor, Presenter andDeputy Editor on Portuguese television – RTP and Porto Canal – frontingprime-time news and covering major national and international events. I have begun my professional journey on the press – Diário de Notícias – andsoon transitioned to television, where I’ve developed a strong on-camerapresence and editorial rigor.
Beyond the newsroom, I have built a solid career as a conference host andevent presenter, moderating debates, leading live discussions and hostinghigh-profile ceremonies, conferences and summits.
I am currently focused on projects that value strategic communication, credibility and international reach, working across television, live eventsand public speaking. My work sits at the intersection of journalism, communication and storytelling, with a strong focus on public speaking, media presence and live events.