Vasco Fragoso Mendes is as much a technical artisan as he is an experimental designer. His practice is centered around this concept of duality, balancing pure materiality, such as wood, paper, cork or metal with his geometric and organic feels.
Born in Lisbon, 1993, Vasco has an international background, having lived and studied in New Zealand in 2011, and in Australia in 2015. Fragoso Mendes has also represented Portugal in international rugby for 12 years, a pursuit that reflects his resilience and has left its mark on his methods and experimental approach.
As an Architecture graduate, his thesis focused on Wood Building, and later founded Barracão – Wood and Architecture Design.
Since 2020, his work spans across Europe, from Lisbon to Paris, Madrid, Rome, Brussels or Berlin. He has also exhibited work at prestigious events as Paris Design Week, Lisbon Design Week or Edit Napoli.
Vasco’s work combines the geometric precision of architecture, the craftsmanship of woodworking, and the audacious spirit of sport.
Exhibited at:
FIRST LINE, @ BoaLab. November 2020.
GRÃO A PÓ, @ Garagem Lisboa. September 2021. THE BACON COLLECTION, @ Século9. March 2023. Lisbon by Design, @ Palacete Gomes Freire. May 2023. SEMINARIO @ EDIT Napoli, Italy. October 2023. ENCONTROS, @ Hum Gallery, Lisboa. Februray 2024. Individual Exhibit @ Servant Store, Lisboa. May 2024 CONTAMINAÇÃO with Martinho Pita @Lisbon by Design. May 2024. THROUGH THE FOREST I HAVE GONE with Maria Luz, @ Galeria Campo Pequeno, Lisboa. June 2024.
No two hands would be able to make what you see. Behind our very much open doors there is a hard-working team, making all of these weird ideas come to life, with skill, enjoyment and with a experimental approach to wood working and design, challenging concepts and techniques. Over the years, many people have helped growing the idea, from friends to family, partners and press, suppliers and clients. A big word goes for them, but a bigger one goes to Artur and David.