Giovana Matsuda

From another point of view

Giovana Matsuda

Giovana Matsuda. Architect and founder of Matsulamps. @matsulamps

We met Giovana a few months ago through Instagram and from the very first moment we we connected. It was clear to us that sooner or later we would meet in person. So, as soon as we as soon as we could, we went to Oporto to see her, a city where she arrived a few years ago and which from the first moment We met for breakfast at her apartment and she told us about her stories and her We met for breakfast at her flat and she told us about her stories and her projects. The last and most important one, Matsulamps, paper lamps designed and handmade by Giovana. Then she took us to two of her of her favourite places in Porto: the Casa da Música, by the famous architecture studio OMA, and a secret garden with a romantic-mystical air, very close to her house.

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NT: The first question is obvious for an architect: what are your references in contemporary design and architecture? in contemporary design and architecture?

GM - I'm a big fan of John Pawson! I even comment on his Instagram posts with emojis. :) Zuhmtor, Dom Hans van der Laan and Zanine Caldas are also great references. But the last building I visited that really made an impression on me was Carla Jaçaba's Vatican chapel. Jaçaba. Her way of designing is poetic and very precise, something that inspires me in my own work. my own work.


NT - Did you always know you wanted to be an architect?

GM - Not at all! When I was little my dream was to be a painter; I remember going for many years to classes. I remember going to classes for many years. When I finished school, I was quite lost and didn't know what to do. what to do. I started architecture and instantly I knew I was in the right place; the mixture of different disciplines and skills is something that of different disciplines and skills is something that grabbed me from the beginning.

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NT - How did Matsulamps come about?

GM - My father gave me an origami book when I was little and I remember being obsessed with those sheets of paper. with those sheets of paper. But although I've always enjoyed experimenting with paper, it wasn't until last year's confinement that this hobby paper, it wasn't until last year's confinement that this hobby made sense. I I had just moved house and needed to rethink the lighting in some of the rooms in my house, so I tried my hand at paper. so I tried the material that was most accessible to me: paper.


NT - What three words would you use to define your work?

GM - Purity, care and craftsmanship.

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NT - What do you miss most about Brazil? from Brazil?

GM - Without a doubt, my sister. I admit that I also miss the weather, it's not that I don't like the not that I don't like the weather in Porto, but when grey, rainy days come, I miss the sun and warmth of my home. sun and warmth of my home.


NT - Favourite place in Porto?

GM - Any old bakery with a shop window full of sweets!


NT - If you could resurrect any artist, who would you choose?

GM - Lina Bo Bardi, without a doubt.


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