Lisbon by Design takes over a historic palacete with craft

and collectible design

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Lisbon’s design calendar is about to shift again. From 26 to 31 May 2026, Lisbon by Design returns for its sixth edition, taking over the full Palacete Gomes Freire in what promises to be its most expansive and immersive edition yet.

Set within the layered rooms of the historic palacete, the fair brings together more than 40 designers and artisans working at the intersection of collectible design and traditional craftsmanship, creating a space where objects, materials and stories unfold side by side.

Location: A House Filled with Design

For the first time, the fair expands across the entire building of Palacete Gomes Freire — including an additional floor, courtyard and annex — transforming the visit into a fluid journey through scenographic rooms and outdoor installations.

Rather than a traditional fair layout, Lisbon by Design feels closer to stepping inside a lived-in space where each room reveals a different perspective on contemporary design, from sculptural pieces to finely crafted furniture, lighting and textiles.

Meet the Emerging Names and Established Voices

At its core, Lisbon by Design continues to balance emerging talent with established designers, bringing together a new generation alongside recognised names working across wood, marble, ceramics and textiles.

Among the highlights, Igor Louis de Kerchove presents material-driven pieces alongside a large-scale courtyard installation, while Joana Teixeira unveils an immersive setting around a new sofa collection. Thilburg unveils a capsule collection of collectible furniture produced in Portugal.

Established voices include Toni Grilo and Alan Louis, whose large-scale installations bring a more scenographic dimension, alongside Hamrei, presenting sculptural bronze tables in the outdoor spaces.

Together, these projects highlight the fair’s focus on materiality, experimentation and dialogue across disciplines.

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A Tribute To Portuguese Design

Beyond new voices, Lisbon by Design also pays tribute to Portuguese design heritage, with dedicated presentations that revisit historic practices through a contemporary lens.

This year, historic brand Kukas presents a special collection honouring its late founder, reinterpreting its legacy through larger-scale decorative pieces. At the same time, Atelier Daciano da Costa unveils a new re-edition, reaffirming the lasting influence of one of Portugal’s key design figures.

Together, these moments highlight what defines the fair, a balance between past and present, where tradition is not preserved, but continuously reimagined.

More than an exhibition, Lisbon by Design is a meeting point, where design lovers can engage directly with designers, understand the processes behind each piece, and experience design in a more personal way.

With its growing international audience and increasingly ambitious format, the 2026 edition positions Lisbon as a key destination for collectible design — offering a slower, more intimate alternative to larger design fairs

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If you enjoyed this article, you should check out Longchamp and HM Home at Milan Design Week.