Design-Minder showroom opens
Design-Minder’s new office and showroom in Porto aims to unite professionals and celebrate design
In 2024, Design-Minder takes a significant step on its journey by opening its first office and showroom. Founded by Joaquim Pedro and Susana Melo, the agency representing furniture and lighting brands has now opened its headquarters, with the aim of continuing to support and collaborate with countless shops, architects and interior designers through the brands it represents.
With years of experience in various design-related roles, this creative duo chose Rua da Aliança, in a quiet residential area just a few minutes from the centre of Porto, to establish their creative hub. This new space not only marks the agency’s 3rd anniversary, but also serves as a meeting point to foster new dialogues between professionals in the sector. The showroom will feature products from the five brands represented: Bonaldo, Glas Italia, Marset, Mobles 114 and Moroso.
Based on values such as service, quality, durability and transparency, DesignMinder reflects its founders’ desire to become true “Design Carers”. Through a meticulous, comprehensive and personalised service, the agency aims to provide the best solutions for each client, meeting the specific needs of each project and everyday scenario.
OFFICE AND SHOWROOM | A CREATIVE HUB FOR PROFESSIONALS IN THE SECTOR
A New Meeting Point for Design
Driven by a passion for creating unique and lasting environments and an appreciation for every object that surrounds them, Joaquim Pedro and Susana Melo want to redefine the perception of furniture brand agents in the market. ‘We want to challenge barriers and stereotypes when serving our clients, whether they are shops, architects, designers or decorators. Our attention to detail, the ability to provide samples, show the product and offer a space for them to meet with their clients are some of our main differentiators. We are not a shop, but a connection centre for professionals in the sector,’ explains the founder.
After several years dedicated to product and interior design, Joaquim and Susana moved to Munich in 2010. At that time, Joaquim took over the leadership of the export department of the German furniture company Zeitraum, reinforcing the brand’s global presence. More than a decade later, after numerous flights and accumulated contacts, Joaquim and Susana returned to Portugal and founded Design-Minder in 2021. ‘Everything happened very naturally. The brands came to us because of our know-how, starting with the Italian Bonaldo, Moroso and Glas Italia, and later the Spanish Marset and Mobles 114,’ explains Joaquim. ‘These are value-added brands that, in addition to sustainability in construction, also focus on sustainability in purchasing and consumption. We don’t want to accumulate brands, but rather represent names that we really believe in and consume.’
The new 200 square metre showroom and office, designed by Atelier da Boavista/Arquitetura, is conceived as ‘a blank canvas with countless possibilities’. Comprising an office area, a meeting room, a showroom and a back patio, the aim is to make this space a modular and flexible environment where various products from the brands represented will be displayed.
Initially, Design-Minder will house different pieces from each of the brands it represents. From 2025, the space will be dedicated to a single brand every three months, providing a greater variety of products in the showroom.
To make the product experience complete, Joaquim and Susana also plan to regularly open Design-Minder’s doors to the community of professionals in the sector, promoting relaxed meetings that encourage dialogue. ‘We want everyone to be able to see some pieces, exchange ideas or simply get some inspiration,’ explains Joaquim. These meetings will take place on the last Friday of each month under the motto ‘Bring a Bottle’, where there will be room for collaborations with local creators, integrating the pieces of furniture on display with art objects.
THE DESIGN MINDER TEAM
Joaquim Pedro and Susana Melo’s appreciation for design guided their career choices from an early age. With degrees in the field, Joaquim in Industrial Design and Susana in Communication Design, the couple decided to found the furniture and lighting brand agency Design-Minder in 2021, with the aim of offering specialised support to design shops, architects and interior designers.
Their creative vision extends to many other areas, from design to architecture, the arts and sport, which complements the assertive and sensitive way in which they tackle each challenge. After several decades working on product and interior design projects, Joaquim moved to Munich, where he led the Zeitraum brand’s export department, promoting the furniture brand internationally and establishing valuable contacts around the world.
Useful information:
Rua da Aliança 369,
4250-031 Porto
Visits by appointment.
Contacts
Joaquim Pedro – mail@design-minder.com
Susana Melo – office@design-minder.com