Larus: Portuguese street furniture since 1988

Since 1988, design has guided everything we do: our products, the way we work and the partnerships we build.

History

In 1988, we began our activity in Albergaria-a-Velha, in a former rural school that we restored and adapted. Design has been at the centre of what we do from the outset, as a driver of product development, communication and strategic management.

The initial production of kiosks and terraces was followed by other urban equipment. The supply of the Expo'98 Signage System marked the moment the brand established itself in the domestic market.

In 2001, we moved to a new 2.5 hectare site, with a building that includes exhibition space, and where a museum and auditorium are planned.

Since then, we have delivered projects in Portugal and in international markets, in partnership with municipalities, architecture practices and public bodies.

Culture

Our activity is grounded in design research. It is design that guides product development, communication and the strategic management of the company.

Working with external architects and designers is central to what we do. Over the years we have worked with names such as Álvaro Siza Vieira, Daciano da Costa, Eduardo Souto de Moura, Alcino Soutinho, Carrilho da Graça, Francisco Providência, Henrique Cayatte, Inês Lobo, David Adjaye, Josep Luís Mateo, Pierluigi Cerri and Shigeo Fukuda, among others.

We also work with universities and educational institutions on the supervision of design courses, which allows us to reflect continuously on our own practice.

Our philosophy shows in our relationship with employees and clients, in the care we take with the partners who work with us and in the principles of environmental, economic, cultural and social sustainability that guide our decisions.

Our facilities in Albergaria-a-Velha are surrounded by a screen of trees planted by the authors who work with us.

Mission and values

Sustainability

Environmental, economic, cultural and social are the four axes that guide our processes and decisions.

Respect for public space

The equipment we develop is intended for collective use. We treat public space as a common good.

Cultural integration

We develop projects grounded in the study of the history and identity of the places where the products will be installed.

Innovation through design

Design underpins everything we do. Not an outsourced service, but the principle that guides product development, communication and management.

Citizenship

We design our equipment in a spirit of citizenship and democracy, working towards inclusion and the removal of barriers.

How we work

International recognition

The work of Larus has been recognised in international design competitions, including the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award and the National Design Awards.