Reinventing the Portuguese traditions

AROUNDtheTREE – Natural design, based in Portugal, is not just a brand but a badge which it's founders, Soraia Rangel and Alexandre Caldas, wear with honour.

Through design, by creating unique pieces of furniture, this young team has been giving new interpretations to the Portuguese culture and traditions.

The Goncalo chair

On the base of its foundation is the Roots Armchair, a recreation of the Goncalo chair which was originally created in the 1950’s by Arcalo – at the time a small weld shop with tradition of craftsmanship. Arcalo was founded by Goncalo Rodrigues dos Santos although Alexandre’s father, Manuel Caldas, who was a former employee of the shop, took over of the business in the early 1990’s. Realising the supreme design of this chair, Manuel named the chair after it's creator and registered its patent.

Today, Manuel’s son, Alexandre, is reinventing this design: building its frame in solid wood and natural oil, to provide a unique and classy finish, and adding cork upholstery to its seat in order to provide a great comfort, durability and impermeability.

Sustainable furniture

The key for the success of AROUNDtheTREE relies on the combination of handmade methods with the use of technology, and on the sustainability of its designs.

The goal of AROUNDtheTREE founders, Soraia and Alexandre, is to create pieces of furniture that live and breathe nature, while embracing their Portuguese traditions and culture.

AROUNDtheTREE Designers