Casa Cubista

Casa Cubista is a Portuguese design brand based in the Algarve, founded by David Pimental and Aren Williams. The brand is known for its graphic, geometric shapes and colorful aesthetic, where modern design clearly draws inspiration from local craft techniques.

A central part of their work revolves around terracotta—a material with deep roots in Portuguese craft tradition. The clay is shaped and processed by hand in small, local workshops, where experience and an understanding of the material play a crucial role. The terracotta’s natural warm color and vibrant surface are allowed to shine through, and small variations in texture and hue are part of the aesthetic—not something that is standardized.

Casa Cubista’s design language unfolds in the clay with a playful expression. The raw material lends an earthy quality that balances the graphic and the handmade.

We’d like to give you a glimpse into how Casa Cubista’s ceramics are made—from raw materials to finished product. Behind every piece of ceramics lies a meticulous process where traditional craftsmanship and experience go hand in hand.

1. Formet i hånden

Hand-shaped

The process begins with Rui, who shapes the clay on the potter’s wheel. With calm, precise movements and years of experience, he transforms a simple lump of clay into a beautiful and functional form. As the wheel turns, he works gently with the damp clay until the size and proportions are just right.

2. Hand-painted with an eye for detail

Once the pottery is shaped, it is dried in the warm Portuguese sun. Then Rui’s aunt Regina takes over, painting each piece by hand with a steady hand and an eye for detail. The distinctive patterns and colors give each product its own unique character.

3. Firing and transformation

After decoration, the ceramics are fired, which brings out the colors and gives the surface its final strength and luster. It is here that the material truly transforms, and the finished look emerges.

Rui and Regina’s craftsmanship produces unique pieces of ceramics that bear the mark of experience and passion. This gives each piece a story—about the material, the process, and the people who created it.

It is precisely this combination of tradition, aesthetics, and craftsmanship that makes Portuguese ceramics so special. When you hold it in your hand or have it at home, you feel the connection to those who shaped it.

See the Casa Cubista collection at Studio Hafnia here.