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Miguel Barbas

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Interviews with Miguel Barbas

Read the interviews with Miguel Barbas: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Designer of the Day Interview

18 questions

I studied arts in basic education, having then followed civil engineering, being passionate about Santiago Calatrava, and I wanted to design the structures and at the same time calculate how far they could go.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

I studied arts in basic education, having then followed civil engineering, being passionate about Santiago Calatrava, and I wanted to design the structures and at the same time calculate how far they could go.

How did you become a designer?

when i create Sabrab, for doing a hotel to a friend

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

minimalism, shape of the human and the inspiration of the nature

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

anxiety, nervousness and happiness when I hit the target

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

i am a matematic guy, but with love in design, so the combination of both, was a amazing experience

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

i want to be remember like a designer that do one piece that all people know

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

believe with love , that what we design, change the view of the consumer or client

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

believe with love , that what we design, change the view of the consumer or client. if we have a project that the client, don´t be afraid of do it again, the next will be better, if we believe what we do

What is your day to day look like?

busy, busy ahahah begins earlier at office, then midle day go to kickboxing classes, and came back to office again, to meet with all employes, to prepare next morning work

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

i follow social media, and some inspiration designers in magazines

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

simplicity and usability

How do you decide if your design is ready?

when i look, and i said, i like it with any doubt

What is your biggest design work?

DNA house

Who is your favourite designer?

Santiago Calatrava

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

I live and Lisbon and i love it. i born in the interior of Portugal, Elvas , the best place of Portugal. I am living in Lisbon and Porto. i am doing a house called DNA, that its for me , and for Sabrab the best house we design, and its is stealing from me all the free time

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

make the houses the most engaging in nature, in a minimalist nature, and that do not touch nature. the pieces must be light, minimalist, which give visual and tactile pleasure to the wearer

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

we have a program of interaction with young people to understand how we work

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

the recognition of a lifetime's work

Design Interview

Clinic Cascais Healthcare Space · 14 questions

the corridor with nothing in the concrete ceiling, so we put the lights on the walls

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

The light of Serra de Sintra

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

the corridor with nothing in the concrete ceiling, so we put the lights on the walls

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

show to other clients , that a minimal design in a clinic its the way,

is more hygienic to the eye and to the user

Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

its an inspiration

Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

its build by us

What made you design this particular type of work?

be a unique dental clinic

Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

was all the team of Sabrab

Who is the target customer for his design?

dental clinics

What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

its minimalist

Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

autocad and 3dsmax

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

the minimalism of the corridor

Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

only sabrab team

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

led light

How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

because i know that was unique

Designer Interview

40 questions

I studied arts in basic education, having then followed civil engineering, being passionate about Santiago Calatrava, and I wanted to design the structures and at the same time calculate how far they could go.

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?

I studied arts in basic education, having then followed civil engineering, being passionate about Santiago Calatrava, and I wanted to design the structures and at the same time calculate how far they could go.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

“Clients have relied on SABRAB to build their business and their homes, being aware that our professionalism, innovation and singular vision, looking at each project as a unique project, leads us to excellent results.

We have an increasingly specialized and demanding team with more than 10 years of experience, therefore reinforcing commitment towards our clients, by supporting, suggesting, and advising them in terms of techniques and materials to accomplish their dreams.”

Miguel Barbas, CEO

SABRAB was founded in April 2006 and, since its creation, it has advised its clients on elaborating a suitable plan for each project, by incorporating the best solutions, processes and materials, meeting the needs and goals we undertake before our clients.

We rely on a multi disciplinary team formed by Engineers, Managers, Architects and Building Technicians, that are highly experienced in this industry and have a wide market knowledge.

We distinguish ourselves by ensuring a personal follow-up with the client, therefore attributing a special value to each project.

The success of each project begins with a plan capable of ensuring compliance with deadlines and quotations, and the required quality.

From a small office to a large public construction, our team dedicates to identify and manage project risks, predicting

problems that can later become costly.

During our integrated management process, we apply several processes which allow clients to trust SABRAB to coordinate and execute all formalities regarding a real estate project, from a preliminary study made by an architect up to

the construction and finishing stages.

What is "design" for you?

turn reality what we have in mind, for use , or only for admiration

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

furniture and houses in the nature

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

santiago calatrava, anyone...

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

a dental clinic

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

stell, brass and wood

When do you feel the most creative?

after a race cars :D

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

the shape and minimalism of the forms

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

anxiety, nervousness and happiness when I hit the target

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

realization

What makes a design successful?

when the customer realizes what you created, without doubting

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

simplicity and usability

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

create designs that have no impact on the environment, and improve the daily life of society

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

a design that respects the environment and the earth

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

Lisbon, Milan and New York

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

Santiago Calatrava shapes and the nature shapes

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?

Minimalist, neutral and environmentally friendly

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?

Lisbon. portugal is very small, and it is very difficult for young people to win, the market is protected with the usual ones, who have been in the market for many years, and are always protected and chosen, even by the government, not believing in new generations.

How do you work with companies?

we design our products

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

see their past works, see ther love for the work, the cheapest becomes the most expensive

Can you talk a little about your design process?

i don't have a process, i do my works with the inspiration that i have at that day!

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

barcelona chair, and the DNA chair that we design

Can you describe a day in your life?

busy, busy ahahah begins earlier at office, then midle day go to kickboxing classes, and came back to office again, to meet with all employes, to prepare next morning work

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

believe with love , that what we design, change the view of the consumer or client

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

when we do something totally different, we are stuck with that idea, and we are afraid that we will not draw something as good again

What is your "golden rule" in design?

use the first inspiration for that piece or house

What skills are most important for a designer?

imagination and know the client

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

autocad and 3dsmax

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

i have to have time to go to my kickbox class, and every month go to drive my race car

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

from 1 week to a month

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

if i am expensive :D

What was your most important job experience?

doing the reahbilitation of Forte da Graça in Elvas, Portugal

Who are some of your clients?

Clinica Santa Madalena, Clinica Medis, and some privates that i couldn´t reveal the name

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

DNA house Stairs

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Doing a house all in wood

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

as a team

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

we are doing a very nice house in Melides, called Casa do Arco

How can people contact you?

by email, miguelbarbas@sabrab.com

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

enjoy life and design for your life

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Miguel Barbas regarding Clinic Cascais Healthcare Space comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.