A conversation on design and leadership with Mauro Brigham

Mauro Brigham, founder of ncbham and Materiatek, is a multidisciplinary designer working at the intersection of architecture, interiors, and material innovation. Shaped by experiences in Portugal and Belgium, he brings a cross-industry perspective that combines creativity, functionality, and sustainability.

Designing with context, not from scratch

Creation rarely starts from a blank page. More often, it begins with existing structures: a building, a brand’s heritage, technical limitations, or material availability. For Mauro, these conditions are strategic starting points rather than obstacles. He emphasizes understanding context: Architectural frameworks, client histories, production constraints, and material properties.

To create solutions that are both distinctive and feasible – this perspective reflects common challenges in the textile industry, where innovation frequently emerges within defined parameters such as budgets, certifications, or supply-chain constraints.

Turning constraints and materials into creative advantage

Failures, Mauro explains, are an essential part of design development. He recalls projects where tight budgets or limited material options resulted in more resource-efficient and sustainable outcomes. In textile-driven projects, this often means optimizing material use, reducing waste, or selecting alternatives with a lower environmental impact. It means staying closely informed about material innovations, from recycled fibers and new textile constructions to emerging bio-based alternatives.

Maintaining close dialogue with manufacturers allows designers to translate technical advances into market-ready solutions.

Confidence through uncertainty

Mauro promotes a calm, collaborative mindset when navigating uncertainty. Drawing on past experience and maintaining open communication with clients and production partners helps align expectations and streamline development processes: from sampling and prototyping to final production.

Through his work at ncbham and Materiatek, Mauro Brigham sets a leading example in integrating innovation with ecological responsibility, pushing the boundaries of design for a sustainable future. His practice shows that sustainability and high-quality design are complementary forces shaping the future of the textile and interiors industry.