Interviews with Lorena Sauras

I wanted to create a piece that was a sanctuary and a spiritual home for flowers, leaves, and fruits. People have vases at home to display flowers and plants, and some people use fruit stands, although in many houses they store them in the fridge. The result is that all that beauty ends up hidden to our eyes and as a consequence we also eat less fruit!. In my mind I knew I wanted a sculptural piece to worship both and help us syntonize with mother nature while being at home.

I am working with alabaster master artisans in Spain to produce a first small batch that I want to sell through exclusive stores. I’ll see how people respond and from there I might decide to explore the use of other materials for this piece to broaden the offerings. I am also open to talking to companies that might be interested in the design.

After working in a corporate environment here in San Francisco, I felt in need of developing some personal projects to feel the excitement that I used to have years ago. This concept was one of the first ones that made me react. I immediately started doing some clay prototypes and Flora was born. It was 2017. I fell in love with the concept and very soon I got some prototypes developed in resin in 3 pieces in San Francisco. I adjusted some flaws, and slightly changed some dimensions. Later on, I went back to Spain to reconnect with my roots and while traveling through remote villages I had the opportunity to meet with some artisans and listen to their stories. I felt the same excitement that I used to have when working on my own designs back in Switzerland where I did my Master in design for luxury and craftsmanship. At that very moment, I got thrilled about the idea to find some artisans and further develop and manufacture my Flora design. I kind of had a revelation and I knew I wanted to bring to life SAURAS, a brand to carefully design timeless pieces and collaborate with master artisans to bring my ideas to life. That was 2019. Then I started looking for the right match for my piece Flora, exploring different materials until I remembered alabaster. I had the answer. Alabaster has been used in the center of my homeland since the Romans were in Spain and the biggest accessible quarries of the world are in the outskirts of the town where my father was born. Moreover, the spiritual properties of alabaster made the material the perfect match for my design. The piece was originally conceived differently but due to the specific characteristics and fragility of the alabaster, the shape needed to be adjusted. The pandemic made all the process of development very slow, but finally the first alabaster prototype was exhibited in Superstudio Più during Milan Design Week in September 2021. Final design and production was achieved in 2022.

Flora is the fruit of my inspiration. I have always been amazed by the beauty of nature while evolving in time. When growing up I used to help my father take care of all the plants we had in the garden so I think part of my fascination comes from then. My guess is, that for this reason, I kind of developed an obsession with vases. The fact that they act as containers of the beauty of the earth, the flowers and plants, attracts me so much. It is hard to find a vase that I actually like but I find myself very often thinking about designs that incorporate mixed uses with plants.

Even though I have a small batch of pieces already in production I am also open to talking to companies that might be interested in the rights of the design.

As I already explained, my obsession with vases and the fact that they act as a container of the beauty of the earth, the flowers and plants, has a lot to do with this particular design. As well as many other designs that are already brewing in my head and that I’ll hopefully be able to further develop soon.

The basics of the Flora design had been a constant in my mind for a while. If I look at some of my sketchbooks from the past I can see similarities with other design ideas from very early in my career that I never pursued. I think the idea has been there for a long time.

Flora is a delicate piece that requires careful use. Obviously it has a function (as a vase and as a stand) but it was conceived as a sculptural centerpiece. The customer is going to be someone that can fully appreciate the intrinsic value of its message and that can relate to the spiritual side of the piece as a bond with mother nature. It is a piece made out of the highest quality alabaster and handcrafted by master artisans in Spain that also manufacture pieces of alabaster for other luxury brands, so I guess the target customer is going to be educated in art or design to fully appreciate and enjoy the piece.

I think when you see Flora in person it speaks by itself and doesn't need any other explanation.

Flora has a Latin origin meaning flowers, and in Roman mythology represented the goddess of spring, plants, flowers, and fertility. There is a myth around her where she was portrayed as a nymph who transformed into Flora after being kissed by Zephyrus, the God of the West Wind. Shown as a beautiful young woman in a long, flowing dress with flowers in her hair, strewing flowers over the earth, was depicted as having the power to make both nature and humans more fertile. My design Flora represents the metamorphosis of nature to preserve life. The transformation of a fruit into flowers to complete the cycle and through their seeds become a fruit again, a symbol of fertility. In the same way that the Roman Flora was portrayed as a god, I gave my design this name because it elevates flowers and fruits to the level they deserve, and for me it symbolizes the God Flora.

The design was very clear in my mind so I directly did the first prototype using clay. I hand modeled the piece and I immediately fell in love. That prototype allowed me to test dimensions and from there used 3D printed technology to get a mold for hand casting the piece in resin. The last version in Alabaster is completely done by hand by master artisans in Spain.

The fact that it can accommodate both flowers and fruits and present them as a sculptural centerpiece that encompasses such a significant spiritual meaning.

Once I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to do, I worked with an incredible designer that helped me with the resin prototypes. For the production in alabaster, I am lucky to have found the best in class in what they do and it happens to be near where I used to live in Spain.

There is no technology per se in the production of the final piece because everything is handmade, but I took advantage of the 3D printing technology to create early prototypes. That helped me in the testing of usability and final measurements that subsequently I ended up changing and adjusting.

Since my idea was to create a sculptural piece to worship flowers, plants and fruits, and help us syntonize with mother nature while being at home, I wanted to find a material that somehow would have a spiritual meaning. I did some research to find the right material that would fulfill that requirement. I was looking into materials used in churches, cathedrals and spiritual containers used throughout history and I finally connected the dots. In my homeland alabaster has been used for centuries, since Roman times, in religious buildings as windows and church altarpieces. It is considered a spiritual material full of positive energy, helping to free the being and purify the soul. Alabaster feels warm and induces feelings of peace and calm. Its translucency evokes the fragility of nature.

Alabaster is a delicate material that can easily deteriorate with water. The piece requires a special treatment that helps to protect the surface without altering the beauty of the piece. The central pillar was originally conceived differently but due to the specific characteristics and fragility of the alabaster, I had to adjust the shape and that took several trials. That shouldn't be a problem per se, but due to the pandemic, and not being able to travel to Spain to test every iteration, it took much longer to finally achieve the desired solution. Every time I had to send a prototype I suffered delays with the shipments. Finally to create a smooth assembly experience and stabilize the connections between the alabaster pieces we added natural cork in the connection points to prevent breakage and scratches during assembly. Flora seems like a pretty straightforward piece but I can tell you it is not, there is a lot of expertise in the handcrafted manufacturing process of Flora that only with the hands of the best artisans can be achieved.

Flora, together with two more of my designs, was part of the 1000 vases exhibition during Milan Design Week 2021 at Superstudio Più. After the exhibition I was approached directly by a team of the A’ Design Award encouraging me to submit one of my pieces to the competition. The rest is history.

Perseverance and endurance to follow your dreams. Sometimes things come really easily, or with very little obstacles but even though as designers we are used to dealing with barriers very often, certain projects can really push you to the limit. And it can be the less expected one. That is what happened with Flora.. I just thought it would be somehow uncomplicated but I underestimated the complexity behind the material. Fortunately I was able to pursue my dream piece and look at where it is now!

My main motivation is to impact people’s lives by providing objects that resonate with their souls. I became a designer because it was a way to transform abstract ideas and feelings into tangibles in a purposeful and meaningful way.

Even though I wanted a career in arts I ended up pursuing a career in computer science but I soon realized I wasn’t happy with that so I pivoted to design, my perfect intersection in everything I crave.

During the day there are so many design ideas from different categories that cross my mind that get me excited - the challenge is to only pick one. That said, inherently any design across any category that captures the innate connection among the soul, emotion, and physical world is what I wish to design more.

Spend the time thinking about who they are as designers and what their place in this world is. Never give up.

A great designer touches people’s lives in a meaningful way.

A really good design is a design that resonates with people. A good design is like being close to your soulmate, you don’t have to do or say anything to feel calm and in peace, just knowing that is there is enough.

Good design impacts your environment in a good way and our mental and physical health are a reflection of our environment, so investing in good design is investing in everybody’s wellbeing.

My dream project is the one I am immersed in at any given time. Enjoying everything I do makes me feel alive.

To completely fall in love with what I am doing.

Never let your mind get old, keep it active, full of energy, dreams and youth. Not only in design but in how you approach your entire life.

As a small child I wanted to become an explorer.

Design is like a spiritual tool, a deeper language, that allows me to connect my feelings and emotions with tangible life. A way to impact people’s lives by providing objects that resonate with their souls.

Being a designer gets personal so the highs and lows of the journey really have an impact in your life and you have to be prepared for both because it can get emotionally draining.

Making sure that what we design has a reason to be, it is not one more in a million, and has enough quality to last. We have to create designs that people will fall in love with so they take care of the pieces and keep using them for life, if not for generations. Design is not about quantity, it is about quality.

I have been thinking about some small furniture and lighting projects recently, mixing two different techniques I am exploring. Imagining the possibilities it is what excites me the most right now.

The last one. When I am involved in a new design the connection that I feel is so strong that it becomes my favorite at that moment in time.

I think that more and more people are realizing how good, slow designed pieces can impact their lives and future generations’ lives. People are seeking thoughtful and responsibly made pieces, not mass-produced and carefully choosing what they buy instead of submitting to fleeting trends - or at least that is what I want to think.

Designing time varies a lot from project to project. It can be a few hours for a very specific, simple and direct project for a client if I know it isn’t going to have any problems during production, to a months or even years to fully develop an idea, especially if I have to find the right manufacturing and adapt the design to the handcrafted possibilities and process.

When I have a new idea I close my eyes, metaphorically, and my mind does all the work. I can actually see the designs in front of me as if I were wearing VR glasses. Sometimes I write my feelings about what I see and it helps me with the design process because it is a way to embody the design and give life to the pieces. Sketching later in the process helps me with refining the details.

The same as in life, enjoy every moment.

Once I know what I want to do I am very hands-on literally speaking so I like to use every resource I have around to do some sort of prototypes early on in the process even if it is only about general volumes and sizes. I am now into sketching on my iPad which I never thought I would be into because I was more a pencil sketcher. 3D softwares allow me to communicate or put into production my final vision very efficiently.

Fundamental, they help us to feel the energy within the designs

A sense of peace and balance.

I believe in close relationships and trust and plenty of good communication. We are all part of a design process since we do not design in isolation. Co-design is part of the pillars of design.

Black for clothes, earth colors to surround myself with, everyday has a favorite food and I love the never-ending evolution of seasons.

Realizing the never-ending possibilities of any project makes my days.

When I was a kid, my inner child made me spend hours creating my own toys, toys that I could see in my imagination but couldn’t get in a store. I guess that gives you a clue.

Whatever the future brings, one thing I am certain, the energy we all have within us still will be there one way or another.

Sauras Designs was founded in San Francisco. I am originally from Spain and after getting my Masters degree in Switzerland I moved to California. After working in a corporate environment here for a while I realized something was missing so I went back to Spain to re-connect with my roots. It was during that trip through remote villages when I had the opportunity to meet with some artisans and listen to their stories. I felt the same excitement that I used to have when working on my own designs back in Switzerland. At that very moment, I knew I wanted to bring to life SAURAS a brand to carefully design timeless pieces and collaborate with master artisans to bring my ideas to life.

Design is like a spiritual tool, a deeper language, that allows me to connect my feelings and emotions with tangible life. A way to impact people’s lives by providing objects that resonate with their souls.

There is really no limit in what I like to design. I get very excited about designing pretty much anything. During the day there are so many design ideas from different categories that come across my mind that get me excited that the challenge is to only pick one. That said, inherently any design across any category that captures the innate connection among the soul, emotion, and physical world is what I enjoy.

The last one. When I am involved in a new design the connection that I feel is so strong that it becomes my favorite at that moment in time.

My first designs were for an interior design company in Madrid, Spain. For every project they custom designed and manufactured the furniture and lighting. As part of the design team in this company I designed several pieces that were used in their projects. I remember one of the first selected ideas for manufacturing being and outdoor/indoor lounge collection that ended up in the suites of a luxury hotel.

When I started working with noble materials I completely fell in love with them. Somehow they are alive and you can feel the energy within them. They are a gift from the Earth, and every time I am able to work with them for my designs is a privilege.

I have no set time to get creative, especially since I had a baby that doesn’t allow me to follow strict schedules, so it happens very randomly.

I want to make sure that every design has its own soul.

When I first visualize a new idea I get very excited. Then, when I go through the flow state of designing, I experience a wide range of emotions until I see the physical piece finished. That’s when I reach a combination of peace and satisfaction.

Peace and satisfaction. I feel in balance with my soul.

A design that resonates with people. A good design is like being close to your soulmate, you don’t have to do or say anything to feel calm and in peace, just knowing that is there is enough.

It has a reason to exist and improves people’s lives in a meaningful way.

Making sure that what we design has a reason to be, it is not one more in a million, and has enough quality to last. We have to create designs that people will fall in love so they take care of the pieces and keep using them for life, if not for generations. Design is not about quantity, it is about quality.

I think that more and more people are realizing how good, slow designed pieces can impact their lives and future generations’ lives. People are seeking thoughtful and responsibly made pieces, not mass-produced and carefully choosing their buys instead of submitting to fleeting trends - or at least that is what I want to think.

Flora was part of 1000 Vases Exhibition, exhibited during Milan Design Week 2021 at Superstudio Più.

I try to keep my senses wide open because inspiration can come at any moment through any channel. Even the most mundane things can spark creativity. Then at those moments I can just start writing my feelings and I end up describing a new design, writing a poem as a first step in the design process.

Last few years have been rough emotionally so I am in search of a style that helps me seek balance in life. I am exploring a more sensual yet sophisticated expression of my feelings to help me be present, aware of my physical surroundings and sensations and free my spirit.

I have been living in San Francisco for a while now but I am originally from Spain. I have lived in Sweden and Switzerland as well, and my husband is of Indian origin so I have very eclectic influences. I think the variety of those influences also strengthen the connection to my roots, my Iberian heritage. I am a very sentimental person so no matter where I go I always going to miss the Spanish way of living and understanding life and the way Spanish people expresses emotions. I guess designing for me is a way to funnel all these feelings so I am pretty sure my Iberian heritage has a big say in my designs.

I have a close relationship with them and develop trust. They give me a lot of freedom.

Feel the connection like when finding your life partner.

When I have a new idea I close my eyes, metaphorically, and my mind does all the work. I can actually see the designs in front of me as if I were wearing VR glasses. Sometimes I write my feelings about what I see and it helps me with the design process because it is a way to embody the design and give life to the pieces. Sketching later in the process helps me with refining the details.

We moved into a new place a week before our baby was born, so we haven’t really had the time to furnish it. I am fully in love with all the skylights we have throughout the house and all the natural light we get even on the foggy days which are pretty common in SF. Other than that, we have a very minimalist empty space since we are still in search of the right pieces but the latest acquisition has been a large, loungey L-corner sectional and it’s a complete success.

My days have no constant routine - other than my morning coffee and dropping and picking up my baby at day care, no two days are alike.

Spend the time to think about who you are as a designer and what your place in this world is. Never give up.

Being a designer gets personal so the highs and lows of the journey really have an impact in your life and you have to be prepared for both because it can get emotionally draining.

Never let your mind get old, keep it active, full of energy, dreams and youth. Not only in design but in how you approach your entire life.

Have a special sensitivity to transform abstract ideas and feelings into tangibles in a purposeful and meaningful way.

Once I know what I want to do I am very hands-on literally speaking so I like to use every resource I have around to do some sort of prototypes early on in the process even if it is only about general volumes and sizes. I am now into sketching on my iPad which I never thought I would be into because I was more a pencil sketcher. 3D softwares allow me to communicate or put into production my final vision very efficiently.

I am still working on that, It is a never-ending learning process.

Designing time varies a lot from project to project. It can be a few hours for a very specific, simple and direct project for a client if I know it isn’t going to have any problems during production, to a months or even years to fully develop an idea, especially if I have to find the right manufacturing and adapt the design to the handcrafted possibilities and process.

Any design job that lets me explore my inner world.

I have been thinking about some lighting projects recently, which are very interesting. So, I guess this is going to be my next project.

I am alone in my studio but if it is a project for a specific client, there is an enriching dialogue until we develop the final pieces.

I have works-in-progress for private clients that I cannot talk about but I am excited to start on some new personal projects that I have in mind and hopefully will be able to share with all of you soon.

Instagram @saurasdesigns or via my website https://www.saurasdesigns.com

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to A' Design Awards for all the great work in helping to spread good design around the world.