Search

IMCOLLECTIVE Chooses Function Over Frills for Its Debut Collection

10.09.24 | By
IMCOLLECTIVE Chooses Function Over Frills for Its Debut Collection

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.

A wooden table with four matching wooden stools. A small, round lamp is on the table alongside an open orange book. Beige curtains in the background

Wooden furniture pieces composed of interlocking blocks, styled in a minimalist design, positioned in front of beige curtains

©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.

A round wooden table with five matching wooden stools is set against a backdrop of beige curtains, under a white pendant light

A wooden round table, a small wooden stool, and a rectangular wooden side table with an orange book titled "Dieter Rams" on it are shown in a minimalist setting with a light curtain in the background

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.

A round wooden table with a book titled "dieter rams" placed on top. A matching wooden stool is partially visible at the bottom

A wooden table with two matching wooden stools placed around it. A book titled "Dieter Rams" rests on the table. A light curtain hangs in the background

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.

A minimalist dining area with wooden table and bench, surrounded by tall beige curtains, under a white dome-shaped pendant light

A golden retriever lies on the floor next to beige curtains. A modern wooden dining table with matching stools and a white lamp is in the foreground

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.

Minimalist wooden dining table with matching benches set in a room with light-colored curtains

A set of wooden minimalist furniture including a table and small stools. One stool has an orange book titled "Dieter Rams" on it. The background features light-colored curtains

A closed book rests on a light wooden table, next to a spherical lamp with a ribbed paper shade

Two wooden stools with unique geometrical designs stand on a light floor near beige curtains

Three wooden tables arranged together, two with round tops and one with a square top, are displayed on a light surface

A modern wooden side table and a matching round wooden stool are placed on a light-colored floor with a light-colored backdrop

Minimalist wooden furniture set with a round table and two stools on a smooth floor, positioned against a backdrop of beige vertical blinds

A minimalist room featuring a long wooden bench, a round wooden stool, and a square wooden table, all set against white curtains

Two people are holding and examining a wooden piece of furniture near a large window with greenery outside. A round, white light fixture is visible above

Miguel Moreira and Inês Moreira, founders of IMCOLLECTIVE

To learn more about the COLLECTIVE COLLECTION by IMCOLLECTIVE, visit imcollective.pt.

Photography by Rui Freitas.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She's probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.