Hello : )

Architecture became a passion because of the sketch work. I started to have interest in historic buildings and how they relate to the city history, how they create the city. Soon I realized that as an architect you can influence and change peoples lives. When you create a space you are altering the user perception of this same space. It can be done in a good or not so good way, I wanted to know more about all this. So I decided to start working in architecture studios while I was taking night classes. The whole experience just add more passion and more curiosity, I wanted to know how different people (architects) solve similar problems, soon in an very intuitive and impulsive way I start to do it myself. It was very interesting to me to realize how the light affects the space, it changes it. I became more or less obsessed with it. 
While in Architecture school I was asked to design a house for a friend and because of that project I was contacted to design several more. I am very interested in exploring how landscape and the building should communicate to each other, how that affects the user in the daily life.

After architecture, furniture design became a second nature. I was interessed in researching new forms  and how these furniture pieces shape the space. With a minimal aproach as far as design but without forgeting history and form. We started producing high-end furniture pieces using the best craftsmenship with attention to quality and detail. Our intention is always to design and manufacture unique and elegant pieces.
Being a freelance furniture designer for over 15 years when I moved to Buffalo, NY from Porto, Portugal I decided to create my own brand. In 2013, I opened my showroom / contemporary art gallery in Buffalo, NY where I design the Lafayette collection. 
Recently I have been interested in creating / designing sustainable furniture using green materials such as bamboo and hemp.

Check my Instagram account @barretodesign.studio