How do we paint a better future? The exhibition Designing Sustainable Futures invites families, students, and curious minds to explore how design, science and nature unite to answer the challenges of our planet. From 21 March to 31 July 2026, the Pavilion of Portugal is hosting an exhibition meant for all ages.
Why visit?
- Excellence and innovation in the design of equipment for the diplomatic sector, with a focus on forests and climate change.
- A project laboratory exploring emerging challenges and advances in design, offering solutions for the circular economy and sustainability.
- A reflection on the future of design, drawing on proposals and experiences that address the environmental and social challenges facing the field.
An experience for everyone.
Curated by designer Ana Mestre, who’s currently celebrating 25 years in the profession, and the participation of researchers from the University of Lisbon, this is a rare opportunity to get to know innovative projects that have moved from laboratories and diplomatic offices directly to the public eye.
Whether you are an eight-year-old young explorer or an 80-year-old enthusiast, come and discover this visual and interactive narrative organised into two sections:
Senses of the Forest (Section I)
Opening on 21 March, International Day of Forests
Start your visit by paying homage to nature. Take a closer look at the outstanding design created for the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, including the Symbiosis modular table and the iconic Forest Chair developed by SUSDESIGN Studio & Research.
For everyone: an immersive experience that challenges visitors to engage with the five senses of forests.
Design Futures Dialogues (Section II)
Opening on 21 March
What happens when design meets biology and engineering? How do ancient techniques contribute to sustainability? How can waste inspire new design solutions?
Discover 20 fascinating projects that propose solutions for pollution, overconsumption and climate change.
To discover: new materials and ideas coming from students and researchers for a sustainable transition.
The exhibition comes to life with a special programme full of activities.
General public and families
From 21 March to 31 July 2026
Every second Sunday of each month, the knowledge doors open for everyone.
Enjoy our guided tours with the designer Ana Mestre.
Dates: 12 April, 10 May, 14 June, 12 July
Schools (years 7 through 12)
From 22 April to 30 June 2026
Bring your class to explore how design can become a transformation tool.
Guided tours and practical workshops available by appointment
Opening hours
Tuesdays through Sundays: 10am to 6pm
Exhibition Centre of the Pavilion of Portugal
Price list
Ticket: 6€
50% Discount: 3€
- Students from year 1 to higher education
- People aged 65 and over
- Unemployed people
Families: 16€
- 2 adults + 2 children / teenagers from ages 11 to 18
Free of charge:
- Children aged 10 and under
- Carer for a person with a disability
- Working journalists
- Sunday mornings (until 1pm)
Payment method: by card
Online ticket office: Ticketline
Come and help shape, create, and transform the future.
Biography
Ana Mestre was born in Lisbon in 1978. She holds a PhD in Sustainable Design Innovation from Delft University of Technology, in the Netherlands. The designer is an Assistant Professor in Equipment Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon. She is also a Visiting Professor at the Loughborough University London.
Since 2000, Ana Mestre has been coordinating and conducting research in the field of Ecodesign and Design for Sustainability, and more recently in the field of Design for the Circular Economy. She founded SUSDESIGN – a design studio dedicated to sustainability (2006), through which she developed the Design Cork for Future Innovation and Sustainability initiative (2008) and the CORQUE DESIGN brand (2009).
Her portfolio contains more than 50 design exhibitions in several international cities, such as the exhibitions Cork Design Pioneers (2011) in New York and Destination Portugal at MoMA, also in New York.
In 2015, Ana Mestre was shortlisted for the Portuguese Design Award for her cork design work. In 2016, the scientific committee of the Triennale di Milano foundation recognised and highlighted her work and exhibition CORQUE#016 as part of the XXI Triennale di Milano: 21st Century. Design After Design.
Between 2016 and 2018, the designer was a Research Fellow at Nottingham Trent University, where she undertook postdoctoral research in the field of Design for the Circular Economy and completed an MBA.
Between 2020 and 2021, she served as a specialist consultant in the field of Design for Sustainability and the Circular Economy for the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2021 (PPEU 2021). In this role, she acted as a consultant to the Directorate of the Diplomatic Mission and developed the furniture design for the social areas of the PPEU 2021 headquarters, as well as the 2021 European Social Summit. In 2023, she began coordinating the Design Futures initiative, supported by the Directorate-General for the Arts of the Ministry of Culture, and co-produced by the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon. She is currently the coordinator of the Future Worlds Lab, a research group at CIEBA – Centre for Research and Studies in Fine Arts.
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