Inspired by the natural world and the rich architecture of her native country, Joana Santos Barbosa’s modern furniture comprises a harmonious blend of organic forms and geometric accuracy. The award-winning architect and furniture designer is considered one of the top 10 contemporary designers from Portugal, with pieces created by her firm InsidherLand sought by interior designers, architects, hotel brands and modern furniture collectors worldwide.
Born in 1981 in Porto, Santos Barbosa studied architecture at the University of Porto. After graduating in 2006, she studied interior design at Central Saint Martins School of Arts and Design in London.
In 2012, Santos Barbosa formed the furniture design company InsidherLand which uses traditional Portuguese handcrafting techniques to create high-quality furniture, lighting, upholstery and home decor.
Elements of nature feature predominantly in many of Santos Barbosa’s designs, such as the Three Rocks side table, Tree Branches wall lamp, Na Pali coffee table and the Arizona mirror, which was named Best Furniture Design at the iLuxury Awards in 2021.
In contrast, several of Santos Barbosa’s pieces are influenced by architecture and symmetry. The Arches dining room chair (winner of Best Chair Design at the 2011 International Design and Architecture Awards), Looshaus table lamp and rounded Niemeyer armchair and sofa (named for legendary Brazilian modernist designer and architect Oscar Niemeyer) are some examples.
Barbosa’s designs, which she describes as “falling between sinuous elegance and harsh aggressiveness,” have gained worldwide attention among critics and industry experts. She was invited to exhibit at the XX Triennale International Exhibition, and her works have been shown regularly in exhibitions throughout London, Paris and Milan. Several international publications have also featured her designs, including Harper’s Bazaar (Vietnam), Architectural Digest (Spain) and Interior Designer (UK).
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Joana Santos Barbosa seating, tables and lighting.
Geometric bronzed brushed brass, Inspiring Trees L wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way, almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Insp...
Brass, Metal
Modern Carrara marble & dark bronzed brass, Seagram wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram wall lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following the functionalist aesthetic of the Se...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Metal
$6,381Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature inspired polished brass golden bath, Azores chandelier by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S.Miguel, the Azores chandelier recreates a weeping willow found near a lagoon...
Gold, Brass
Nature inspired organic natural oak veneer, Arizona table lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
In the remote location of Coyote Buttes lies one of Arizona’s treasures. The absolutely surreal, undulating patterns of ‘The Wave’ inspired the creation of the Arizona table lamp. R...
Satin, Wood
Modern Estremoz marble & bronzed brass, Seagram wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram wall lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following the functionalist aesthetic of the Se...
Marble, Brass, Metal
$1,759Sale Price|30% Off
In stock Nature inspired polished brass, Azores wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S. Miguel, the Azores wall lamp recreates a weeping willow found near a lagoon and freezes a moment of contempl...
Brass, Metal, Gold
$6,154Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature inspired polished brass nickel bath, Azores chandelier by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S.Miguel, the Azores chandelier recreates a weeping willow found near a lago...
Brass, Metal, Nickel
$5,720Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature inspired oxidized brushed brass, Azores round chandelier by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S.Miguel, the Azores chandelier recreates a weeping willow found near a lagoon...
Metal, Brass
Nature inspired polished brass golden bath, Azores wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S. Miguel, the Azores wall lamp recreates a weeping willow found near a lagoon ...
Brass, Gold
Nature inspired stainless steel, Inspiring Trees L wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way, almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Insp...
Stainless Steel, Metal
Nature inspired hammered copper, Tree Branches wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Tree branches wall lamp recreates the sunbeams that pierce the density of forests. The light appears on a secondary plan, brightening the wall aroun...
Copper, Metal
Nature inspired brushed brass, Inspiring Trees L wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way, almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Insp...
Brass
$1,548Sale Price / item|42% Off
Modern minimalist Carrara marble & nickel, Looshaus table lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus table lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Loos...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Nickel, Metal
Nature inspired organic Travertine stone, Arizona table lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
In the remote location of Coyote Buttes lies one of Arizona’s treasures. The absolutely surreal, undulating patterns of ‘The Wave’ inspired the creation of the Arizona table lamp. R...
Stone
Nature inspired organic green brown, Arizona table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
In the remote location of Coyote Buttes lies one of Arizona’s treasures. The absolutely surreal, undulating patterns of ‘The Wave’ inspired the creation of the Arizona table lamp. R...
Satin, Wood
Nature inspired hammered steel, Tree Branches wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Tree branches wall lamp recreates the sunbeams that pierce the density of forests. The light appears on a secondary plan, brightening the wall aroun...
Stainless Steel, Metal
Mid-century modern wood & nickel, Metropolitan table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in New York, USA, the Lincoln square is famous for the performing arts that take place in a group of eclectic buildings that seem to create a dialogue with the centerpiece of...
Metal, Nickel
$6,607Sale Price / item|20% Off
Geometric hammered brass, handmade Inspiring Trees floor lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring Trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way; almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Inspiring Trees is a lighting piece that carries form and meaning. In the ‘treetop’, the detailed hammered handcrafted work captures the richness of light and shadows present in any real tree. The light is distributed by the three levels of the ‘treetop’ and diffuses, controlled by the geometry of several overlapping pieces. It is a unique lamp to stand out in any luxurious interior. Product details Top: handcrafted in hammered brass with golden bath...
Brass
Modern Carrara marble & bronzed brass, Seagram wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram wall lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following the functionalist aesthetic of the Se...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Metal
Modern minimalist Carrara & bronzed brass, Looshaus wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus wall lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Looshaus building in Vienna marked a tu...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass, Metal
Nature inspired oxidized brushed brass, Azores wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S. Miguel, the Azores wall lamp recreates a weeping willow found near a lagoon ...
Metal, Brass
Modern Estremoz marble & dark bronzed brass, Seagram wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram wall lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following the functionalist aesthetic of the Se...
Marble, Brass, Metal
Modern Estremoz marble & brass, Seagram table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram table lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following th...
Marble, Brass
Nature inspired hammered brass, Tree Branches wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Tree branches wall lamp recreates the sunbeams that pierce the density of forests. The light appears on a secondary plan, brightening the wall aroun...
Brass, Metal
Nature inspired geometric aged brass Inspiring Trees S wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way; almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Insp...
Brass
Modern minimalist Carrara marble & copper, Looshaus wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus wall lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Loosh...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Copper, Metal
Nature inspired patinated nickel handmade Alentejo table by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Alentejo table lamp is a glimpse over the South of Portugal where thousands of cork oaks trees raise their canopies to the sky. Resembling the typ...
Brass, Nickel, Metal
Modern minimalist Carrara marble & nickel, Looshaus wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus wall lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Loosh...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Nickel, Metal, Brass
Modern minimalist Carrara marble & brass, Looshaus table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus table lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Loo...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass
Modern minimalist Carrara marble & brass, Looshaus wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus wall lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Loosh...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass
Geometric hammered brass, handmade Inspiring Trees table lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way; almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, inspiring trees is a lighting piece that carries form, image and meaning. In the ‘treetop’, the detailed hammered handcrafted work captures the richness of light and shadows present in any real tree. The light is distributed by the three levels of the ‘treetop’ and diffuses, controlled by the geometry of several overlapping pieces. It is a unique lamp to stand out in any luxurious interior. Product details: Top: Handcrafted in hammered brass with golden bath...
Brass, Metal
Modern minimalist Carrara marble & dark brass Looshaus wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus wall lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Looshaus building in Vienna marked a tu...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass, Metal
Modern minimalist Carrara & dark brass, Looshaus Table Lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus table lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Looshaus building in Vienna marked a t...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass, Metal
Modern minimalist Carrara & bronzed brass, Looshaus table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Looshaus table lamp is a contemporary design that interprets the modernist austerity of the Looshaus building by architect Adolf Loos. The Looshaus building in Vienna marked a t...
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass, Metal
Geometric dark bronzed brushed brass Inspiring Trees L wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way, almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Insp...
Metal, Brass
Modern Carrara marble & brass, Seagram wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram wall lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following the functionalist aesthetic of the Se...
Marble, Brass, Metal
Nature inspired polished brass nickel bath, Azores wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Lighting design at the iLuxury Awards 2021 Resulting from a trip S. Miguel, the Azores wall lamp recreates a weeping willow found near a lagoo...
Nickel, Metal, Brass
Geometric hammered copper, handmade Inspiring Trees table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way; almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, insp...
Copper, Metal
Geometric hammered nickel, handmade Inspiring Trees table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way; almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, insp...
Nickel, Metal
Nature inspired brushed copper, Inspiring Trees L wall lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspiring trees recreates a treetop and is fully handcrafted. The rays of light pierce the geometric design in an unexpected way, almost ethereal. Slender and seemingly minimal, Insp...
Copper, Metal
Mid-century modern wood & brass, Metropolitan table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in New York, USA, the Lincoln square is famous for the performing arts that take place in a group of eclectic buildings that seem to create a dialogue with the centerpiece of...
Brass
Nature inspired patinated cast brass handmade Alentejo table by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Alentejo table lamp is a glimpse over the South of Portugal where thousands of cork oaks trees raise their canopies to the sky. Resembling the typ...
Brass, Metal
Modern Nero Marquina marble & brass, Seagram table lamp by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram table lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following th...
Marble, Brass
Modern Estremoz marble & brass, Seagram wall lamp by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Seagram wall lamp receives the name of the first attempt at skyscraper construction by the modernist architect Mies van der Rohe. Following the functionalist aesthetic of the Se...
Marble, Brass