A regular visitor to Brazil since 2013, when he arrived as Professional of the Year for BOOMSPDESIGN, Venezuelan architect, designer, and conceptual artist Luis Pons has never stopped returning. Based in Miami since 2002, this multi-tasking professional—recognized for his luxury hotel projects, sumptuous homes, and art installations—displays his extensive knowledge of local culture by mentioning masters such as Joaquim Tenreiro, Sergio Rodrigues, Oscar Niemeyer, Jorge Zalszupin, and Giuseppe Scapinelli, who “transformed and interpreted modernity in an authentic and original way,” without forgetting to cite the contemporary Campana brothers. In his opinion, the country is a starting point for understanding how to reflect local reality—rather than that of other cultural contexts. “I am Latin American and I see Brazil as others see the United States or Europe. For me, Brazilian design comes from the core of the world that surrounds it,” he analyzes. The son of an architect and a Scandinavian design gallery owner, Luis Pons had his passion for the sector awakened in childhood. “I have been drawing since I was little. Instead of playing with store-bought things, I transformed everyday objects and conceived my own games. I always used what was available to create spaces, models, and rethink furniture. I was interested in assembling and composing,” he confesses. The transformation of matter inspires him, as it enables the reinterpretation of his present moment through design.

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