Casa Alta Design has been shortlisted for four categories in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2022. Read more about Creative Director & Founder, Erika de Carvalho, below:

---

Name: Erika de Carvalho

Company: Casa Alta Design

Position within company: Creative Director & Founder

Website: www.casaaltadesign.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:
Erika de Carvalho is an award winning professionally trained Interior Designer with a profuse and eclectic collection of projects in Europe, Asia and South America. Erika is passionate about every project she takes on and believes that interior design can really make a difference and improve the functional and aesthetics qualities of spaces. To tend to her clients’ needs, who are increasingly looking for bespoke solutions for their projects, Erika de Carvalho founded Casa Alta Design in 2014, thus creating a platform full of inspiration, creativity and knowledge of the interior design world. Erika de Carvalho graduated with a first class degree in Interior & Spatial Design at Chelsea College of Arts in London and subsequently completed a Master in Design Management and Innovation thus refining her project & company management skills further. Having worked in architectural and interior design practices renowned throughout Europe, prior to the founding of Casa Alta Design, Erika de Carvalho led a design and architecture studio in London winning several international awards for exclusive luxury projects and worked in countries including India, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sri Lanka. Her work has been published internationally in Elle Decor, The White Book, Blueprint, ID-FX, Arquitetura & Construção, Casa dos Sonhos, India Today.

How would you describe your personal design style?
I believe that every design deserves a holistic approach and its style should be an expression of a thorough and comprehensive diagnosis. Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? Let me explain… Firstly, I like looking at the context – the location and its surroundings – then it is time to look at the main purpose of the project – is to be a full time residence, a restaurant, a hotel? The next stage is to understand by whom and how the space will be used and finally analyse all this gathered information to find ways to improve the whole experience. If all these parameters are well considered, I believe that every project will naturally find its own style.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
We find that our clients are a continuous source of inspiration. Every client has a different and exciting story to tell, aspirations, wishes and dreams. By exploring and trying to improve the way they will experience their new spaces we become inspired in the most varied ways.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We welcome the evolution that interior design has been going through in the last few years towards a much more personalised and effective end user experience, creating emotional and functional spaces. The use of cutting edge data analysis such as parametric designs is one of the many new tools that are flourishing to make interior design even more efficient and exciting.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond
Parametric Data Research
User Friendly Design
Emotional Design
Sustainable and recycled materials
Living with Covid

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Really listen to your client.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
I have been following The International Design & Architecture Awards since its inception and believe in its importance and significance for the whole sector. The validation and visibility it offers to our industry work as testament to a company’s work ethic, dedication and standards.

What projects are you currently working on?
We are currently working on a number of projects in the UK, Portugal and Brazil varying from private residences, offices, shops and hotels.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
It would be hard to pinpoint a single favourite project as they are all so unique and special to me in different ways.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Sugar Quay will always be a very special project to us not only because of its great design but all that we had to overcome to complete the project successfully through Covid lockdowns and customs and shipping law changes due to Brexit. A challenging and never before experienced scenario that really put all our skills to the test.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
A bunch of apps and software that make project and drawing management easier – Trello, Toggl, Pantone Connect, Whatsapp are among are favourite ones.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Next month we plan to start a series of tailored in house training courses for our team to strengthen our interior design skills even further and offer an even better service to our clients. There are some exciting new projects in the pipeline but I am not allowed to talk about them yet!

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?
My Hackman pots and pans. I bought them over twenty years ago and they go with me wherever I move to.

Your favourite holiday destination?
Patacho Beach, Brazil.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Reserva Patacho Hotel, Brazil
La Petit Maison Restaurant, London
Cem Maneiras Bar, Lisbon

Your favourite book, film & song?
Mythologies by Roland Barthes
Pan’s Labyrinth by Guillermo Del Toro
Girl from Ipanema by Tom Jobim

Your favourite food and drink?
Currently I am really into Korean Bibimpap
Mineral Rose Wines from Azores

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
On the beach with family and friends.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A ceramist.

Anything else interesting?
I had a pet penguin when I was a child.

Casa Alta Design

---

design et al only work with the world’s leading designers, architects, developers and suppliers.

If you think you have what it takes to compete in The International Design & Architecture Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories