“I’ve realized that Portugal is a formidable country”

In an exclusive interview to the “Lisboète Magazine”, the famous French architect and designer, Philippe Stark, reveals what most impressed him about Portugal

At first, he resisted. Despite the (much) insistence of some friends who lived in Cascais and described Portugal as “a paradise”, there was no great appeal to come to know the country. “I already had houses in Venice, Cap Ferrat and Formentera and saw no interest in going anywhere else,” says renowned French architect and designer Philippe Starck, born 70 years ago in Paris, in an interview with Lisboète Magazine.

One day, he eventually came to Portugal. And fell in love! “It’s amazing to find a country my age,” he told the publication. “I was immediately surrendered to the friendly atmosphere that lives here”, reveals the creative, who was also enchanted with “the big waves, the small village and the small port” of Cascais. “I had a vision, like the square of a circle. I found the place I was looking for and had never found,” he says.

”I didn’t stay in Portugal. I stayed with the Portuguese”

Despite the beauty of the area, what captivated Philippe Starck most was the people he met throughout what quickly became one of the greatest voyages of discovery of his life. “I found myself suddenly in one of the last places in the world where people still had a sense of humanity,” he says. “I leave little, but when I do, I am happy to see that there are still people full of kindness, generosity, honesty and a deep friendship. Over time, I could see that fidelity can also be added to these qualities,” says the French.

“I didn’t stay in Portugal. I stayed with the Portuguese,” says Philippe Starck. “The Portuguese are like a disease that gets caught or like a drug from which we become addicted”, praises. “I go around the world on average a week and count the minutes to come back here. Once we know the values ​​of these people, we no longer understand the values ​​of others,” says the architect and designer.

The passion for the country led Philippe Starck to visit Portugal and to be interested in Portuguese history. “I have a huge fascination for Prince Henry,” he assumes. Despite the charm, he has not yet learned to speak Portuguese, unlike his wife and daughter, who already master the language with some ease. “It’s a shame!” He admits. Besides Cascais and Sintra, he likes to go to Ericeira and Peniche and get lost in the Alentejo.

“I’m going a little while, but Lisbon has a formidable air. And it’s very different from the other cities I know. With its hills and small sloping streets, it’s very theatrical. It’s not a city. It’s a work of art! “, describes the architect and designer, who elected Grândola, in Alentejo, to build a new house. “What pleases me there is that nothing has yet been desecrated,” he justifies. “I can say that I discovered paradise there,” he confesses.

Source: SAPO LifeStyle

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