The products developed so far, which were the ones that stood out in terms of success with the public?
SF: In the 2014 catalog are integrated into 30 pieces, which are organized by categorais, eco, kitchen accessories, etc. But the product has been widely accepted by the public are mostly ceramic lamp with cork or cork only, are pieces that have had a huge demand. It has been also some much prominence in the media, as has been present in some projects of interior design, as was the case of a hotel and was recently awarded an award to architect Cristina Campilho, which received an honorable mention in the John Almada Prize 2014 his work in the urban rehabilitation of a building in Rua do Almada, Porto. The house had a lamp in the living room and ceramic and cork and in the bedroom only cork, was a major highlight of Tasa products.
It's a concern that your products are sustainable?
SF: Yes, this is our foremost concern. In addition to presenting products containing some innovation in everyday life, we also want to have a sustainable aspect, because most of these crafts work is done with raw materials that respect natural cycles, ie, does not exhaust them. We also tried to look for products that are environmentally friendly, with a very sustainable shed and now we are investing in the certification.
Going back a little while ago, can identify who is the target audience of Tasa?
SF: We have the general public that buys the products occasionally, but our customers are more attached to the offices of design and architects that are looking pieces that have some connection with Portuguese traditions, this aspect of sustainability and product innovation. Our target audience are the small and medium companies in the Mediterranean. At this time, we worked with specific stores that sell our products nationally and we want that our products are integrated in projects of national and international design and decoration.
Then you notice a sensitivity for design made in Portugal to the outer level, outside the country?
SF: Yes, we have immense request and now we are trying to create conditions so that our products are in certain points interncional sale. Lately some products has had the attention of some foreign journalists and recently won an award that arose under a Creative Connects residence where a product was developed "sleep tight", a cradle of cork. This product won the second prize of the 2014 Green Furniture Awards, which generated a huge wave of supporters Tasa project. This recognition of the work developed has helped us to create a large number of connections with the outside. The Tasa was elected to represent the Algarve region in Sha.pes project (prior Sharing excellence and support for the creative MED asset) that opened doors to participation in three events in France, Spain and now Italy, HOMI, in Milan, on 13th -16th of September.
