alicia knight

Leque lamp

Client: CACO Artisan Association
Collaboration: Ines Viana and APCO
2022

Leque lamp

Client: CACO Artisan Association
Collaboration: Ines Viana and APCO
2022

This lamp resulted from exploring alternative uses for typha leaves and inspired by fans for fireplaces and hand fans (leque). The layering and overlapping of the different pieces takes away the attention of any impections on their execution, creating harmony from the repetion even if the pieces are all different, as this piece was designed to be executed by the members of APCO (Cerebral Palsy Association of Odemira). The pieces sit between two ceramic pieces, sewed to the inner one.

Project Fibras Vegetais

This project was developed in collaboration with CACO, the Artisans Association in Odemira, Portugal, as part of their “Fibras Vegetais” initiative, which connects designers with artisans to innovate using plant fibre techniques and indigenous materials.

Guided by a circular design philosophy, the collection harmonises with natural biological cycles—utilising locally sourced, biodegradable fibres while minimising resource consumption. The aim was not only to create functional products but to revitalise traditional crafts that are at risk of fading, aligning them with contemporary needs.

The project thrived on community engagement, featuring knowledge-sharing workshops on fibre sourcing and preparation. As a designer in this project, I worked closely with artisans, entrepreneurs, female inmates, and individuals from a palsy centre, fostering inclusive, collaborative creation. This journey of research and exchange culminated in four distinct product collections, each honouring the past while offering a fresh, modern perspective.

Explore the full story and process behind these creations in the booklet below.

Project Booklet