Vasco Fragoso Mendes

Vasco Fragoso Mendes is as much a technical artisan as he is an experimental designer. His practice is centered on the concept of duality, balancing pure materiality - such as wood, paper, cork, metal - with both geometric and organic expressions.

Contrasting materials and forms are intrinsic to his work, feeding the imagination and opening space for further exploration. Each piece is continuosly evolving; with every new production come opportunities to refine, adjust, and rethink details. This process of constant evolution lies at the core of his practice, pushing boundaries and fostering growth through time and experience. 

Born in Lisbon in 1993, Vasco has an international background, having lived and studied in New Zealand and Australia. He also represented Portugal in international rugby for 12 years - a pursuit that reflects his resilience and has left a clear imprint on his methods and experimental approach. Trained in architecture, his thesis focused on wood construction, and he later founded the design studio Barracão - Wood and Architecture Design.

Since 2020, his work has expanded across Europe and the United States, from Lisbon to Paris, Los Angeles to Madrid, Rome to New York, as well as Brussels and Berlin. He has exhibited at prestigious events such as Edit Napoli, Lisbon Design Week, and Paris Design Week.

Vasco's work brings together the geometric precision of architecture, the craftmanship of woodworking, and the spirit of sport.