Kicking off the launch of their debut furniture line, architecture and design studio IMCOLLECTIVE, founded by Inês Moreira and Miguel Moreira, embraces modernist principles of design. The debut COLLECTIVE COLLECTION (©COLLECTION) is stripped of any decorative embellishments, focusing instead on the intricacy and strength of wood joinery and the natural beauty of hardwood.
©COLLECTION consists of a rectangular dining table, round dining table, square stool, round stool, and bench all crafted from American ash hardwood, Canadian cedar, and Brazilian cedar. The natural color variance in wood brings attention to the joinery of each piece, inviting you to observe and admire the precision and details of the undersides. All of the made-to-order furniture is designed and built in Portugal, a country with a rich craftsmanship history. With its timelessness and simplicity, ©COLLECTION is designed to stand the test of time, bypassing trends and effortlessly blending into to a variety of interior styles.
We caught up with founder Miguel Moreira to learn more about the studio’s creative process, the challenges he encountered to produce the COLLECTIVE COLLECTION, and what the studio is up to next:
Your designs prioritize functionality and simplicity, hallmarks of modernist principles. How do you balance these elements while still creating pieces that feel unique and personal?
From the beginning, our goal was to collaborate closely with skilled craftsmanship to create robust pieces with intricate wood joints. In fact, we initially started designing this collection for our own studio. It was a practical approach – if we needed furniture, why not design it ourselves? After we placed the pieces in our studio, we noticed that people were really connecting with them and asking for more information. This led us to officially release the collection to the public. To mark the occasion, we launched the ©stool (available with a square or round top) to complement our existing tables and bench. We also opened an online shop.
For us, it’s crucial to work consciously, so we only decided to launch the collection after testing the products in real environments for over a year. We’ve used our furniture for work, hosting talks and workshops, and even for meals. Every piece is made to order, respecting the environment and natural resources, ensuring that we aren’t adding unnecessary products to the world.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the design and production process of your debut collection, and how did you overcome them?
In the early stages, we faced a small issue where we needed to use screws to provide additional support. This setback turned out to be a valuable learning experience, as we were committed to creating a robust collection. Ultimately, we redesigned the pieces to eliminate the need for screws entirely, relying solely on wood joints. The final design not only solved the problem but also resulted in a piece we were even more pleased with.
That “eureka” moment was quite memorable – Inês and I (Miguel) were sketching out solutions in the middle of a field, with only a notebook and no internet access. We ended up discovering a better solution and an improved design.
Regarding production, we operate on a small scale with made-to-order pieces. Our biggest challenge was finding the right production partner, but fortunately, Portugal is an excellent place for craftsmanship. Even Danish brands we admire produce their pieces here. Our collection is produced in the same workshops that create furniture for Pritzker Prize-winning architects Álvaro Siza and Souto Moura.
Looking ahead, how do you see IMCOLLECTIVE evolving? Are there any future projects or design directions that you’re excited to explore?
IMCOLLECTIVE is a creative studio mainly focused on architecture and graphic design, but product design is always present in our practice. We often design custom furniture for interior projects, and some of these pieces may eventually be available to the public. It’s a great process, as these products are actively used, allowing us to assess their performance and make adjustments if necessary.
We also have ideas we’d like to explore with new materials. However, our primary focus is to release products thoughtfully – only when we feel there is genuine interest and demand. Of course, we’re open to collaborating with other brands or designers who share our values and approach.
Miguel Moreira and Inês Moreira, founders of IMCOLLECTIVE
To learn more about the COLLECTIVE COLLECTION by IMCOLLECTIVE, visit imcollective.pt.
Photography by Rui Freitas.
