ABOUT
In the Bzugo design and woodworking studio, we believe that the production of objects is a great responsibility and should only occur when we can ensure that these objects create a positive impact, not only on the lives of those who use them but also on the environment, on the lives of those who produce them, and in the places from which they come.
SUSTAINABILITY AND REGENERATION
The term sustainability has become so trivialized these days that it no longer means much on its own. At the Bzugo atelier, we take sustainability very seriously, but that is not enough for us. Sustainability is the ability of a system to maintain balance. However, given that our system is already unbalanced, we believe that only through regeneration can we meet our needs in the present while sowing a better future.
Therefore, we implement various practices that align with our values:
ORIGIN OF MATERIALS USED
In order of preference:
Wood from old furniture found in garbage and landfills.
Wood from local pruning and maintenance of forests and gardens.
Wood purchased with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification
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PROCESS ADAPTATION
We choose local suppliers.
We use non-automated machines as support tools and not as a replacement for handcrafted work.
We ship orders in reused boxes.
We have few products in stock.
CONSCIOUS COMMUNICATION
We call for conscious consumption
We don't launch seasonal collections - we create timeless pieces with lasting quality.
We have no balances.
WE ENSURE:
Transparency in practices (we frequently update Instagram with day-to-day activities in the workshop)
Possibility of repairing parts.
Possibility of redesign to adapt parts to new needs.
Possibility of proper disposal ensured by us.
FINISHES
We avoid using toxic and synthetic products.
We use oils of vegetable origin.
We produce our own wax with natural ingredients that provide greater longevity to the pieces.
PRODUCTION SURPLUS
SURPLUS WOOD
We use it to produce smaller pieces in our workshop | We donate raw materials to other artisans (cutlery, wooden spoons, etc.) | We donate them to schools (for games that stimulate creativity) | Ultimately, we use them as firewood for heating or cooking.
WOOD CHIPS
We use it as ground cover in the Bzugo agroforest | Composting | Animal bedding | Mushroom production
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WORKING CONDITIONS
We value artisanal and manual work.
We respect working conditions and production pace.
We adapt the designed products to the most appropriate techniques, not only in terms of design, but also with a view to well-being in production.
We seek to create a safe and healthy environment for artisans.
We use materials and practices that minimize the impact on health.
We invest in community engagement.
SOIL REGENERATION
The waste from the workshop is used to cover, feed and regenerate the soil that will one day provide us with food or more raw materials to work with. In the image above, we can see, on the left, the current soil of the Bzugo agroforest, dark, rich in life and nutrients. On the right, the clayey and impoverished soil, taken from exactly the same place in 2019, at the beginning of the project.
THE TEAM AND THE WORKSHOP
Bzugo was created in 2018 by André Inácio and Mariana Cerejo with the goal of giving shape to their ideas, allowing for the exploration of creativity and the revival of ancestral artisanal practices combined with contemporary design methodologies.
From the beginning, the atelier carries the ideal of creating a workspace where materials, people, and processes are respected throughout the entire process, promoting harmony between the product, nature, and the producer.
The Bzugo workshop is located in Odrinhas, Sintra, and was born from the transformation of an old barn, renovated with the help of family and the community. These facilities provide a permanent connection with nature, offering the ideal environment for the project to grow to this day.
You can watch the film about the renovation of the workshop here and a video that shows a bit of daily life in the Bzugo workshop and outside of it here.
HIGHLIGHTS
Caras Decoração, Março 2021 - Reportagem BZUGO
Stand Bzugo FIL - Prémio Empreendedorismo Novos Talentos
Canal Casa e Cozinha - Programa Personaliza a tua casa - Reportagem Bzugo
Caras Decoração, Março 2021 - Reportagem BZUGO