"Gabriela Sagarminaga and Miele demonstrate that craftsmanship and technology can speak the same language."
Bilbao, Spain
What do craftsmanship and industrial precision have in common?
At first glance, they may seem like very different worlds. However, when it comes to researching, experimenting, and discovering new possibilities in materials, we find far more in common than we usually realize.
From this perspective, MANERA magazine and Miele recently invited Gabriela Sagarminaga to participate in a gathering at the Miele Experience Center in Bilbao alongside Iker Oroz (02). It was a conversation with professionals in the fields of architecture and interior design that allowed us to share some of the ideas that guide our daily work: how we engage with materials, how far we can push them, and what role innovation plays in our artisanal practice.
A Different Way of Understanding the Subject
The Basque Country has a long industrial tradition linked to iron, metal, and engineering. In an environment so closely tied to these materials, working with plant fibers offers us another way to engage with matter and explore its full potential. At Sagarminaga Atelier, we draw on traditional craft techniques and adapt them to new contexts, where the materials take on an architectural dimension and transform the way we perceive space.
During our conversation with Iker Oroz, we reflected on how craftsmanship and technology can enrich one another. At the atelier, we firmly believe that innovation does not mean abandoning tradition, but rather using craftsmanship as a starting point for further exploration; sometimes, the most interesting possibilities arise precisely when we dare to look at a technique from a different perspective (02)
The Eroded Column: From Artisanal Craft to Architectural Scale
To accompany this event, Gabriela exhibited *The Eroded Column (01)*, a sculptural piece inspired by the columns designed for the Regina Experimental Hotel in Biarritz. In it, we can see how the act of twisting esparto grass takes on a new scale: the fiber coils, deforms, and forms a volume with a presence all its own.
"The Eroded Column (03)" reflects how craftsmanship and innovation are intrinsically intertwined. In the studio, our primary focus is on exploring the limits of materials and discovering new formal possibilities. These objectives guide every phase of the development process and allow us to continue expanding the expressive range of esparto, combining traditional craftsmanship with rigorous research into its technical and expressive potential.
Research and Tenure
The strongest common ground between Sagarminaga Atelier and a company like Miele lies in the aspiration to perfect what already exists. Both parties share a constant commitment to raising the quality of what we do.
In our case, this quest stems from the material itself. For this reason, we are currently collaborating with the Materials+Technologies group at the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering (UPV/EHU) to investigate the strength, durability, and fire resistance of natural fibers; this study allows us to delve deeper into their properties and establish the technical rigor necessary to open up new applications in our projects.
This research defines our approach to our craft: for us, innovation requires dedicating time to understanding the nature of the materials we work with. It is in that precise balance between empirical knowledge, experimentation, and technical mastery that we discover new ways of working, in perfect harmony with the values of the German firm.
On behalf of the atelier, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share our vision of craftsmanship, materials, and innovation in such an enriching conversation. Many thanks to MANERA magazine and Miele for inviting us to take part in this event and for fostering a space for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives.
We invite you to read MANERA's article on the conversation, which summarizes the main takeaways from the meeting.