Francisco Eduardo Sá and Felipe Savassi

Specialized in Architecture Design.

Francisco Eduardo Sá and Felipe Savassi

About Francisco Eduardo Sá and Felipe Savassi

Felipe is an architect specializing in the construction and management of sustainable buildings. Also a member of Green Building Council Brasil, worked for ten years in the state of Minas Gerais. After living abroad, Florianópolis was where he first had contact with the modular architecture and saw the possibility to apply his work expertise and philosophy. Francisco, first graduated as an industrial designer, felt the need to work in bigger scale projects. After working at the Urban Design City Company of Rio de Janeiro, the architect moved to Florianópolis to combine his skills from small details to complex system.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Architecture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Architecture
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Interview with Francisco Eduardo Sá and Felipe Savassi

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Felipe: I am a specialist in architecture and modular construction. After graduating in International Business and traveling around the world, I have become an entrepreneur owning some night clubs and through ongoing remodeling I ended up falling in love with architecture. | Francisco: I've been involved with arts and crafts since I was a kid. It was always something I enjoyed doing it. I started at the Graphic Design program when I went to college, but after a year I switched to Industrial Design. As I went further, I was seeking to design in a bigger scale, so then I ended graduated also as an architect.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Felipe: The studio was conceived after a dissolution of a partnership with a container based architecture firm. At first, I have continued working with container architecture and later on there was a transition to modular architecture. | Francisco: I'm still figuring out how I will design my business.
What is "design" for you?
Felipe: The art of translating in design the yearnings and desires of someone. | Francisco: The transformation of given needs into results by drawings and creative work.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Felipe: Modular houses and buildings with medium and high standard. | Francisco: Anything that challenges me through creativity.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Felipe: My favorite design is Linda house. It's a modular, two-story house distributed in 4 modules, 3 bedrooms and a large entrance with a double-height ceiling. I love minimalist design the house layout. | Francisco: I could say that the Heydar Aliyev Centre, by Zaha Hadid Architects is perhaps the one that outstands among everything I've seen in architecture so far. Its visual impact is astonishing at the same time it represents best the architecture of our time.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Felipe: Steel / Archicad / Internet of Things. | Francisco: I can't name them. I like each combined.
When do you feel the most creative?
Felipe: In the morning, after my creative hack. Home office with no disturbances. | Francisco: During the quiet and peaceful breaks I take along the day.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Felipe: Openings according to Solar Orientation, functionality and shape. | Francisco: The emotion it provokes.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Felipe: The art of creation brings me happiness and generosity. | Francisco: Curiosity and disquietude.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Felipe: I feel proud, I feel like my duty was fulfilled. | Francisco: Excitement and at the same time a sentiment of responsibility.
What makes a design successful?
Felipe: When it achieves its goal in terms of function, style and budget. | Francisco: When one or more of its symbolic, aesthetic and/or practical function reach beyond the expected result.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Felipe: Function and style | Francisco: The emotion it evokes on me.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Felipe: We live inside buildings for the most part of our lives. The better the buildings, the better the life quality offered. | Francisco: We take from nature to transform the space that we live and surround us. We understand how society organize itself because we shape the way we live. Therefore, we have our share of responsibility to make the world socially and ecologically more sustainable.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Felipe: The future is modular architecture and construction. | Francisco: There's a mix of what we aspire with what we need. If I could point to a scenario that satisfies both, I would say that the design field shall evolve to a future with more efficient and sustainable technologies. That's include modular architecture as well as parametric softwares and coding knowledge.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Felipe: World of modular in Orlando. The next exhibition will be the Expo Container City in September. | Francisco: This edition of A' Awards Design will be my first exhibition. Let's see what will come next.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Felipe: Internet, Instagram, archdaily, pinterest etc… | Francisco: I like to think that inspiration comes from anywhere, like raindrops on a window, an exotic plant or a cloud in the sky.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Felipe: Modular minimalism. | Francisco: I don't know exactly where does my design fit. I'll probably use different styles and see which one suits best. When it comes to my approach I basically try to picture myself in my projects. I can't design something that I woudn't make use. If it's good enough, then I go further. If don't then I redesign it.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
Felipe: I currently live in Florianópolis. I'm very influenced by foreign projects and the challenge is to adapt this kind of architecture here in Brazil. | Francisco: Florianópolis, Brazil. Our cultural heritage is already included in our academic program. One negative is that there's a lack of interest from most people to explore new approaches of architecture beyond the current barriers. At the same time, brazilians are very hard workers, thus we are always trying to find a way to make things possible.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Felipe: Portfolio. | Francisco: Portfolio and CV helps, but I would suggest companies to test some designer. Most jobs that I had, I started from knowing nothing and ended teaching things. I made myself inside the companies. I can know a variety of softwares that are being asked today, but tomorrow the scenario might be different. There's one profile I consider the most. The person who runs after things.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Felipe: First of all I start with the briefing, secondly I collect references and then I begin the design process on Archicad. | Francisco: My design process is flexible, but usually it all starts with the briefing. Then, I like to study the site and visualize a shape where the program fits in. When I get some results, I show them to other designers, collect a few reviews and finally make some adjustments.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Felipe: Macbook and Archicad. | Francisco: My computer, my desk, my bed, my window view and fresh coffee.
Can you describe a day in your life?
Felipe: In the morning I wake up, meditate, work out, design(home office), have lunch. In the afternoon I check the progress of ongoing projects with the design team, have meetings with clients and take care of business and administrative matters. I spend the nights at home and enjoy my social life. | Francisco: I woke cup with a huge cup of coffee. Read the news, sit on my desk and work till mid-afternoon. Have some lunch, read a book, go back to work. Early evening I take a shower, have dinner and watch something new. My favorite moments are the small breaks I take along the day to contemplate the view and get inspiration.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Felipe: Innovation and never stop improving your skills. | Francisco: Everything is up to change. Try to anticipate that while preparing yourself. Understand your role in the world, stand for a cause and make use of your tools and knowledge to make that happen.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Felipe: The positive side is to work with art and always try to solve a good problem of your client in a great environment. The negative is the remuneration. | Francisco: Having one of the best work that exists and at the same one of the worst recognition by common sense.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Felipe: Organization, a global perspective of the process and creativity. | Francisco: Creativity, aesthetic sense, space perception, holistic view and last not least the ability to represent your idea.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Felipe: Trello to plan, follow and set things in order, Instagram and Pinterest to get inspiration and Archicad and Lumion to design. | Francisco: Primary tools: My sketchbook and a pen. Softwares: ARCHICAD, Rhino, Grasshopper, Twinmotionn and SketchUp. Hardwares: Macbook Pro and a VR Mask. Books: Neufert. I also use the internet to consult zoning and building regulations besides the e-books provided by the Architects Council.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Felipe: I separate by tasks and matters. | Francisco: I see if I can estimate the amount of hours each phase of project might take and try to stick with it.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Felipe: Usually four months. | Francisco: If this object refers to a furniture I would give one and a half months considering I have no on-going projects. If we're talking about a complex building I might give more than a year to end. The better the project, the faster its construction. The faster the project, the more expensive its construction.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
Felipe: If modular architecture is cheaper than the conventional one and if it isn't too warm. | Francisco: How I did my designs and which tools I used.
What was your most important job experience?
Felipe: Layback park. | Francisco: Working as a self-employed has shown to be more challenging than I was expecting.
Who are some of your clients?
Felipe: Layback beer. | Francisco: Felipe Savassi Modular Studio.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Felipe: Modular house of medium and high standard. They allow you to have more freedom when it comes to design. | Francisco: Public spaces and buildings usually because the concept shows to be more important than the materialization itself and that gives me more freedom to design better.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Felipe: I want to expand the studio design to modular buildings and invest in my webserie: My favorite Modular. | Francisco: I shall study more about urban planning and how to code can help we design better cities. Yet, I'll try to keep my eyes open for opportunities that might come.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
Felipe: I work as a team. | Francisco: I like to work as a team, but usually I develop my designs by myself.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Felipe: Minimal mood. It's a modular smart house designed to be presented in an exhibition in São Paulo. | Francisco: I have some ideas for public spaces that I would like to present when the time is right.
How can people contact you?
Felipe: People can reach me through my email address: falecomigo@felipesavassi.com and my Instagram account: @felipesavassi | Francisco: My email: franciscoeduardo.mfsa@gmail.com and my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciscoeduardosa/
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Felipe: No, I'm all set. | Francisco: Me and Felipe had thought that it wouldn't be fair to just one of us respond these questions. Hope those who are reading this understand the way we responded.

Extended Interview with Francisco Eduardo Sá and Felipe Savassi

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
Felipe: I have graduated in architecture and urban planning from Izabela Hendrix University in Belo Horizonte (MG) in 2013 and I am a specialist in architecture and construction of sustainable buildings by W-POs Unileya from Brasilia (DF). | Francisco: I started college in the Graphic Design program in São Paulo, but I switched to Industrial Design and concluded at the Universidade Positivo, in Curitiba. My senior project back then was about urban mobility and I felt the need to design in a different scale. So finally I've got my bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism at Universidade Santa Úrsula in Rio de Janeiro.
How did you become a designer?
Felipe: I like to understand the yearnings, desires and possibilities of our clients and turn them into a design. I like to see the transformation of ideas in reality. | Francisco: I've been always an applied student in arts in general. I used to sketch on my notebooks more than anyone in class. At the same time, I enjoyed get my hands dirty fixing things and disassembling things at home. I guess what motivates me the most is to find solutions for people's problem through the creative process of design.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Felipe: I’ve chosen architecture when I was 25 years old, after graduating in another major. | Francisco: Given my interests and skills, the design career had shown to be the only possible way.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Felipe: Sustainable modular architecture. | Francisco: Ultimately I've been design more private residences and offices. I would be happier if I could design public spaces like parks, museums etc.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Felipe: Always follow your dreams trying to innovate. | Francisco: Follow your dream, be honest with yourself, participate in challenges and get things done.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Felipe: Get out of your comfort zone and be always ahead of your time. | Francisco: A good designer will do something cool that everyone is expecting. A great designer will do something awesome that no one is expecting.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Felipe: Clean shapes, functionality, detailing and sustainability. | Francisco: Every design should answer its questions. It has to fulfill its symbolic, aesthetic and practical function. But all of this is useless if it doesn't move you.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Felipe: Good designs create efficient and more economic buildings besides being more beautiful. | Francisco: Good designs are ageless. They prove our ability of making things better.
What is your day to day look like?
Felipe: A totally Modular and sustainable city. | Francisco: The way our global society organize on this planet.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Felipe: A modular multi floors building. | Francisco: A space to care for the less fortunate and marginalized ones.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Felipe: Minimalism. | Francisco: I don't have a recipe. I just work following my instincts.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Felipe: Normam foster, Arthur casas, Oscar Niemeyer and Bernardes arquitetura. | Francisco: Dietmar Starke, João Figueiras (Lelé), Alejandro Aravena, Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma, Antoni Gaudí and many more.
What is your biggest design work?
Felipe: Mapa architecture because of their minimalism. | Francisco: Each one has his own style. But, for whatever briefing they were working with, their designs are carved in our memory.
Who is your favourite designer?
Felipe: Linda house. | Francisco: Heydar Aliyev Centre, by Zaha Hadid Architects. It's a very impressive project. I risk to say it's the current state of art architecture has reached so far.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Felipe: Studying and searching for new technologies. | Francisco: Working in different ways, with different people, in different contexts with different projects. Diversity, worldview and experience were keys.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Felipe: The art of translating in design the yearnings and desires of someone. | Francisco: The transformation of given needs into results by drawings and creative work.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Felipe: My family. | Francisco: My family, my teachers and my friends.

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