The Porto Design Biennale 2025, under the executive direction of Magda Seifert, kicked off on 23 October with an inaugural programme packed with activities. This year, the Biennale featured contributions from lecturers Eleonora Fedi, Helena Sofia Silva, Rui Caldas and Tiago Antero, as well as the editorial coordinator of esad—idea, Andreia Faria, in various projects that enriched the programme of this 4th edition.

To answer the question "How can design events become living constitutions that generate permanent commons, rather than temporary exhibitions?" (Angela Rui, Chief Curator), lecturers and researchers focused on the theme of time to explore different forms of artistic expression.

Eleonora Fedi is Local Curator in a curatorial team of five. Responsible for the "Happisodes" co-design projects, Eleonora promotes connections between designers, communities and municipalities, bringing to life the ARENA VIVA, IN SYNCHRO, HOUSE OF ECHOES, NEW DINER, POLE POLE and SERPENTINA projects in the cities of Porto and Matosinhos. She lectures at ESAD in the Interior Design Undergraduate programme and collaborates with esad—idea as a researcher and designer, having been part of the Biennale team since its first edition in 2019.

Also present since day one is Andreia Faria, who has been the editorial coordinator of esad—idea since 2018. In this edition, she was invited to be the Editorial Curator, developing the publication PARALAXES: Histórias do Comum [PARALAXES: Stories of the Common] in collaboration with six authors and one illustrator.

The project by guest lecturer Tiago Antero, ARENA VIVA, from the Interior Design Undergraduate Programme, was developed by ATA Atelier, of which he is the founder, in collaboration with the Paulo Moreira Architectures studio, and presented on the opening night of the exhibition TIME IS PRESENT. Designing the Common in the House of Design, Matosinhos. ARENA VIVA reimagines the shape of the square leading to the museum as a physical and social space: a meeting place, a playground and a centre for collective activities. This project affirms the collective desire to transform our prevailing notions of conflict through joyful and inclusive coexistence.

IN SYNCHRO is one of the Happisodes featured in this edition's programme, celebrating a collaboration between the ALADI association, Master's students in Product Design and lecturer Rui Caldas. The result of a series of sensitive encounters with this association, which welcomes people with intellectual disabilities, led to the creation of sensory stimulation devices that promote the interconnection of bodies. In May 2025, Lexus and A+N Studio promoted a workshop with students from ESAD and IED Milan entitled "Empathy devices for sensory exploration." This gave rise to three projects: Suzi, a breathing cushion; Tide Memories, an adapted loom; and Porto-L, a real-time audiovisual installation.

Rui Caldas, a lecturer on the Digital Arts and Multimedia Degree course, developed the latest project, which is on display at the Campo 24 de Agosto Metro Station. This installation features an interactive portal that connects its users with another similar musical device installed at ALADI, where passengers can communicate in real time with the association's users.

Helena Sofia Silva, lecturer on the Communication Design Undergraduate Programme, is curator of one of the programme's "constellations" entitled PRESENT CONTINUOUS, on display at the Palacete dos Viscondes de Balsemão, part of the Porto Museum. PRESENT CONTINUOUS is an itinerant exhibition that results from the intersection between projects presented at the last edition of the Ibero-American Design Biennial (BID'24) and the theme proposed for this edition of the Porto Design Biennale — Time is Present. Inventing the Common. It is a formal action, marking the meeting between two events that share concerns and here outline a new form of collaboration.

The graphic identity for this edition was developed by João Queirós, designer and artistic director at esad—idea, and alumnus of ESAD's Communication Design Undergraduate Programme.

The Porto Design Biennale is organised by esad—idea, Research in Design and Art, and promoted in collaboration with two municipalities (Porto and Matosinhos), in partnership with ESAD — School of Arts and Design.

Magda Seifert

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