Discover IDEABAR Studio: Refining Spaces Through Holistic Design and Well-Being

Can you provide a brief overview of your background and journey? What inspired the creation of IDEABAR STUDIO?

I am an Architect Engineer with a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Design. In January 2015, I established IDEABAR, a Creative + Architecture Studio that serves as my creative playground. It began as my architectural studio and a concept store featuring objects designed by me and local young designers I met during my MA studies. In its early years, IDEABAR Studio actively curated experiences in collaboration with local galleries, schools, and my University, but these activities were scaled back due to the 2020 pandemic.

From the start, every project I delivered was custom-designed to meet its specific needs. As my practice at IDEABAR Studio evolved, I have focused on cultivating the conditions where aesthetics, functionality, and well-being are accessible. We’ve often been led to believe that these elements are luxuries, but they are not. The pandemic shifted my perspective toward a holistic design approach to architecture, one that fosters deeper and more meaningful relationships with our daily environments.

In essence, through my passion for space, aesthetics, and well-being, my work at IDEABAR Studio aims to elevate daily life, transforming simple, everyday moments into a celebration within the spaces where we live, work, and socialize.

Could you describe your current project or venture and its current stage of development?

As IDEABAR Studio approaches its 10th-year celebration, I am focusing on applying everything I have learned through the AWE programme, improving the studio’s administration and day-to-day processes. Shortly after graduating from AWE, I experienced a severe injury—a broken wrist on my primary hand—which put everything on hold for about six months. Now, I am back on track, working on expanding the studio’s practice and embarking on new adventures.

Although I cannot reveal all the details yet, this project revolves around bringing together people from the creative industries through curated experiences and connections. My goal is to transform IDEABAR Studio into a platform for creativity, community, and research, focused on the intersection of space, aesthetics, and well-being.

This vision reflects my dedication to exploring these themes more deeply and creating opportunities for connection and collaboration between creative professionals and like-minded brands.

What motivated you to participate in the AWE 2023 programme and how has AWE influenced your entrepreneurial journey? 

Around the time I began putting my thoughts on paper for IDEABAR Studio’s practice expansion, I came across the AWE Programme call for participation and applied without hesitation. Initially, I felt anxious about sharing my vision with people I didn’t know, but the supportive and empowering atmosphere during our meetings quickly put me at ease.

Having run my business for almost a decade, AWE provided a refreshed perspective and helped me better understand how to navigate and grow my entrepreneurial journey. Most importantly, the program inspired me through the incredible women I met—both fellow participants and mentors—giving me the confidence to aim higher.

One of my top priorities now is to share my knowledge and connections with other women in the early stages of launching their businesses or project ideas. This commitment adds a new dimension to IDEABAR’s expansion, forming part of a vision I plan to implement in the coming years.

Are there any upcoming technological or sustainable innovations that you are particularly excited to explore in your work?

As a 90s kid, I’ve always been fascinated by technology. From hand-drawn plans to BIM+ and now AI tools, I’ve witnessed how advancements elevate architecture. AI is particularly exciting—it’s not just about flashy, AI-generated images but practical tools that simplify legal processes and mundane tasks, freeing up time for more creative work.

Equally inspiring is the growing shift towards sustainability. New materials are emerging—health-conscious, environmentally friendly, and renewable. Biophilic and sustainable design practices are also gaining depth and meaning.

The most exciting possibility for me is the merging of technology and sustainability, working together to create a better, more conscious future.