Universidade Duas Marias

A dialogue between history and contemporary design
The Universidade Duas Marias Lisboa project is a celebration of harmony between historical legacy and the modern language of design.

UDM – Universidade Duas Marias is a Brazilian higher education institution, certified by the Ministry of Education, that promotes personal and professional development through its own methodology based on self-knowledge, elegance, and warmth. Headquartered in São Paulo, the university now expands its presence to Lisbon, in a space that reflects these very principles.

Located in the historic building at Rua Rodrigues Sampaio, no. 31, UDM Lisboa occupies an exceptional setting, distinguished by the iconic tiles of Pereira Cão — a master of decoration who brought to the façade the elegance of vegetal and mythological motifs. This artistic richness inspired an interior concept that unites past and present with harmony and grace.

The project was developed with the aim of preserving the character of the building while adapting it to the functional and aesthetic needs of the institution. The high ceilings were enhanced to create open, luminous environments — ideal for classrooms and more private areas. Each space was conceived to inspire, welcome, and reflect the identity of Universidade Duas Marias.

Among the standout pieces is the iconic Ventaglio desk, designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1972 — a true masterpiece of modernist design that brings a unique character to the space, a symbol of strength, elegance, and exclusivity. The furniture selection also includes the Bowl Chair, created in 1951 by the Italo-Brazilian architect and designer Lina Bo Bardi. Designed to adapt to the body and to the various postures of those who use it, this piece reflects the author’s inclusive and functional vision, embodying comfort, versatility, and freedom — values that resonate with the identity and spirit of the project.

The project once again featured the collaboration of architect Vasco Fragoso Mendes, creator of the Trimesa — a three-module table designed as a single composition, specially conceived for the meeting room. The piece expresses the union of flexibility and formal rigour, adapting to the diverse dynamics of the space.

Consoles in natural wood with a carbonised finish were also designed, produced by Portuguese craftsmen whose skill and attention to detail reinforce the value of artisanal production. The organic and asymmetric shapes of the legs evoke movement and fluidity, establishing a direct connection with the principles of Universidade Duas Marias, centred on self-knowledge, harmony, and the relationship between the natural and the human. Each console functions as a sculptural, functional, and symbolic element that reinforces the integration of art, design, and purpose.

The art curation, developed by the atelier in collaboration with Galeria Rui Freire – Fine Art, had the Amazon as its central theme. The works of photographer Márcio Vilela, captured within the Amazon rainforest itself, explore the light, density, and silence of nature, adding a sensory and contemplative dimension to the space. This curatorial vision establishes a direct dialogue with the materials and forms of the project, strengthening the idea of balance between the natural and the built.

The selection of materials reflects a balance between tradition and contemporaneity: rugs with rich chromatic palettes bring dynamism to the spaces; furniture in natural wood adds modernity and character; and gilded carved mirrors recall the classical splendour of the building. The lighting, carefully designed, enhances textures and volumes, while wallpapers and velvets add the final layer of elegance and personality.
More than an exercise in interior architecture, this project unfolds as a visual and emotional narrative.

Universidade Duas Marias Lisboa is a space that honours its past, lives its present, and inspires its future — translating, in every detail, the values of self-knowledge, elegance, and warmth. The RV atelier materialised the Duas Marias methodology, ensuring that every element — from the choice of materials to the spatial layout — reflected the essence and mission of the institution.

A project that unites history, art, and design in a timeless dialogue.