Daciano da Costa was with no doubt one of the most outstanding figures of Portuguese Design during the second half of the 20th century. He worked in several design-related areas and had an extensive professorship at university level. He attended the School of Decorative Arts of António Arroio and the Superior School of Fine Arts in Lisbon, leading later on the first degree in Design Architecture.
The volume and the cultural awareness of Daciano’s lifetime work over a 50-year career place him in the world pantheon of contemporary designers.
Architect, designer, entrepreneur, and pedagogue, he was considered "the pope of Portuguese design".
Read moreDaciano da Costa was with no doubt one of the most outstanding figures of Portuguese Design during the second half of the 20th century. He worked in several design-related areas and had an extensive professorship at university level. He attended the School of Decorative Arts of António Arroio and the Superior School of Fine Arts in Lisbon, leading later on the first degree in Design Architecture.
The volume and the cultural awareness of Daciano’s lifetime work over a 50-year career place him in the world pantheon of contemporary designers.
Architect, designer, entrepreneur, and pedagogue, he was considered "the pope of Portuguese design".
Read moreAtelier Daciano da Costais dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing the legacy ofDaciano da Costa(1930–2005), a pioneering figure in the institutionalisation of design in Portugal and a key force in connecting the country with the international Modern Movement. Founded in 1959, the studio became renowned for its multidisciplinary practice, spanning interior design, furniture, industrial and urban design, while introducing structured design methodologies to Portuguese industry. With a strong educational vocation, it also evolved into a studio-school, training generations of designers and establishing innovative professional practices.
Since 2013, under the direction ofInês Cottinelli, the Atelier has taken on the mission of safeguarding Daciano da Costa’s legacy by organising his archive, fostering partnerships with cultural institutions, and promoting authorised re-editions that extend the story of Portuguese design. This work is grounded in rigorous archival research, ensuring that the designer’s creations are reinterpreted and presented with both historical accuracy and contemporary relevance.
In 2022, theAlvor Chair(1967) andQuadratura Chair(1971) entered the collection of theVitra Design Museum, making Daciano da Costa the first Portuguese designer to be represented by the institution and reaffirming the international significance of his work. In 2025, within the context ofExpo Osaka, 55 years after the Portuguese Pavilion at Expo ’70, the Atelier collaborated with the family ofAntónio Garciato celebrate theOsaka Chair, whose acquisition by the Vitra Design Museum stemmed from that collaboration. The chair’s authorised re-edition in 2026 extends this recognition and makes the design accessible to new generations.
Through research, curatorial projects, and international exhibitions, Atelier Daciano da Costa has established itself as a leading force in preserving and reinterpreting the designer’s legacy. Its work demonstrates that tradition, innovation, and cultural memory can coexist, inspiring new generations while ensuring that one of Portugal’s most influential design voices continues to shape contemporary design discourse.
Catalogue2026Considered by many as the most important Portuguese designer of the 20th century, Daciano da Costa's vast curriculum highlights works in areas such as interior architecture, furniture, industrial, exhibition, and graphic design, as well as scenography and costumes. Daciano da Costa´s work can be seen in Portugal and worldwide in places such as MUDE-Museum of Design and Fashion (Lisbon), Centre Pompidou (Paris), CCB - Belém Cultural Center (Lisbon), Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, among others.
Where to FindCome visit Daciano da Costa Design, the new Gallery in Lisbon.
Space where you will find original pieces by Daciano da Costa and re-editions that the Atelier has been working on since 2019.
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