(Studio)
Two people, one workshop.
Saal is a small furniture and object studio on Rua das Gaivotas in Lisbon. We draw, build and fire everything ourselves, in editions small enough to know every piece by name.
(01) — How it started
Furniture first. Everything else followed.
The studio began in 2017 as a single workbench in a shared workshop. Mira was making chairs for friends and restaurants, one at a time, and keeping a list of everything she would do differently next time.
The list became a way of working: draw at full scale, build a rough version, live with it, cut it back. When Ana joined with her wheel and kiln, the vessels and lights arrived, and the studio found its quiet, low-lit language.
Today we make around thirty pieces a year, half from the collection and half commissioned, for homes, hotels and the occasional museum.
(02) — How we work
Three rules we don’t break.
01
Drawn at full scale
Every piece starts as a drawing the size of the object, pinned to the wall until the proportions stop bothering us.
02
Joined, not screwed
Joints are cut by hand so a piece can be taken apart, repaired and put back together for decades.
03
Repaired for life
Send it back and we fix it, for as long as the studio exists. Finishes are chosen so they can be renewed.
(03) — Four hands
The people behind the pieces.
Mira Saal
Designer and cabinetmaker
Trained as a cabinetmaker before studying design in Lisbon. Draws everything, builds the first version of everything.
Ana Lobo
Ceramicist
Throws, glazes and fires every vessel. Joined the studio in 2019 and has quietly changed what it makes since.
(04) — Along the way
Shows, prizes and places the work has been.
2026
Low Light collection
2025
Nordic Craft Prize, shortlist
2024
Black Clay, solo show
2023
Night Vessel acquired
2022
Window sill series
(Visit)
Come and sit on everything.
Rua das Gaivotas, Lisbon. Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment. Bring measurements and photos of the room.
