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How can the essence of an architectural project be encapsulated in an object that fits in the palm of your hand?

This was the premise behind our collaboration with Dsnú, a creative duo that naturally inhabits the borders between design, art, and craftsmanship. Positioned somewhere between jewellery and sculpture, their pieces convey a profoundly material sensitivity, where both the tactile and the visual are equally important. For us, inviting them to design the keyrings we give to clients upon completion of their homes was a way of celebrating that precise moment when architecture ceases to be a project and becomes a lived space. A door opening. An object holding a story. This interview explores how that narrative is shaped through the hands, materials and vision of Dsnú.

1. How would you define yourselves as jewellers who create handcrafted pieces? What values guide your creative process?

In fact, we conceived Dsnú with a broader approach than just designing jewellery collections. We’re also interested in other fields of design, such as furniture and decorative objects. Although we’ve worked on and collaborated on various types of products, jewellery has indeed been our main focus and what we’re best known for. Since we both trained in various artisanal and artistic disciplines, whenever we design and create a piece, we always try to integrate these craft techniques, as we believe they enrich the final result. Our main sources of inspiration include nature, landscapes, modern architecture, and Oriental art, among others. In our designs, we strive for simplicity and timelessness, eliminating what we consider superfluous, so that the material itself becomes the protagonist, highlighting its inherent qualities. One of our core principles when creating is to work with noble materials that bring quality and durability to the design, and to use processes that are respectful of the environment. We enjoy creating pieces that surprise and spark emotion in those who behold them.

2. What drew you to the world of architecture and led you to accept this collaboration?

We’ve both always been drawn to the world of architecture. In fact, aside from studying jewellery, Ana is also an architect, so architecture has always played a fundamental role as a source of inspiration when approaching a project or a design. Its ability to structure space, play with light and convey abstract concepts through concrete forms resonates completely with our design philosophy. When we were offered this collaboration, we were excited by the idea of exploring the intersection between architecture and jewellery—two disciplines that, although they operate at very different scales, share many aspects from our point of view, such as creating emotional experiences through form, texture, and function. And of course, it was especially exciting because it came from you, as we feel very aligned with your architecture, both aesthetically and conceptually.

3. How did you approach the challenge of translating an architectural concept into such a small and everyday object as a keyring?

We found it a fascinating challenge to capture the philosophy and architectural language of Viraje and translate it into a small yet symbolically rich object, such as a keyring. We were inspired by the simplicity of the lines, the geometry, and the emotional connection to the surroundings that we find in many of Viraje’s designs. From there, we had to produce multiple sketches and models to simplify and transform the essence of an architectural concept into something that could be held in the palm of one’s hand. This process led us to discover how a small object can be a microcosm of much larger ideas.

4. What did you want to express with the design of this piece? What story does it tell?

We always strive to design that evokes emotion. In the specific case of the keyrings, our intention was for both the materials and the forms to evoke the solidity of an architectural structure, while also offering the lightness, practicality and resistance that an everyday object requires. We also wanted to invite the person carrying it to feel as though they are holding a unique and living piece of architecture. That’s why each of the keyrings was created from different fragments of refractory clay, framed within an oval-shaped metal structure—a geometric form that appears recurrently in Viraje’s designs.

5. What role do materials play in your work? How did you choose them for this project?

Materials play a fundamental role in our designs. Being able to work with and experiment with many of them in our workshop gives us a direct understanding of their expressive potential when used in a design. We always seek materials that possess their own unique character and are noble, natural, and sustainable whenever possible. In the case of the keyring, we chose ceramic and metal materials that also belong to the construction industry. Specifically, we selected high-temperature refractory clay because it is highly resistant to high temperatures. Additionally, the brass is plated with silver and finished with rhodium, which imparts hardness and long-lasting durability. We like the contrast that emerges from combining the aesthetic of both materials, which convey different sensations and languages.

6. What artisanal techniques did you use and why? Is there anything you would particularly highlight?

The techniques we used include traditional jewellery techniques such as rolling, piercing, forging, and soldering, as well as those specific to ceramic craftsmanship. While the metal structures are reproduced through mould-making and lost-wax casting, ensuring the reproductions are identical, the ceramic pieces are handmade individually, resulting in each one having a unique break and texture. In this way, each keyring shares the same geometric structure, but always has a unique element, just like each of your homes.

7. Is craftsmanship experiencing a renaissance in contemporary design?

Yes, absolutely—we believe craftsmanship is undergoing a renaissance. Today, craftsmanship merges with design and art to create a new dialogue between tradition and innovation, where handmade work is approached from a contemporary perspective in designs with their own identity and unique value. And in a world dominated by immediacy, many people are beginning to value the emotional connection that craftsmanship offers—something often lacking in industrial objects. We also believe that contemporary craftsmanship provides an opportunity to redefine the concept of luxury, which, in our opinion, is not about ostentation, but about appreciating authenticity, process, dedication and the story behind each piece. This is also linked to greater awareness around sustainability and support for local craft workshops, with whom we collaborate closely in each creation—something that motivates us deeply.