The Japanese group Toray commissioned its first European showroom in Sintra, Portugal. The space is an immersive environment for Ultrasuede, the company’s premium suede-alternative material. Designed by Ryosuke Fukusada and Rui Pereira, the project transforms part of Toray’s active sewing factory into a calm environment that invites direct engagement with the brand’s extensive material library.
TORAY Ultrasuede
The intention of the design was to create a serene environment in an industrial space without windows. The design is inspired by French mid-century structural style, with stained birch plywood forming an elegant architectural envelope that contrasts with the factory environment. Reflecting the Portuguese context of the showroom, the design features high-gloss blue terracotta tiles by Viúva Lamego, the country’s oldest handmade ceramic manufacturer. These tiles offer a vivid chromatic accent against the micro-cement flooring, birch cladding, and exposed steel by finishing the reception counter, sampling console, and bathroom surfaces.
Set at the center of the space, a pair of custom wall-mounted displays showcases the range of Ultrasuede colors and fabrication possibilities. Prototypes and mock-ups are stored in the tiled sampling console, and a lounge area furnished with Anza benches, stools, and tables promotes tactile interaction with the material. Two mannequins in the space further illustrate the textile’s apparel applications.
A wide internal window was carved into the warehouse wall to expand the sense of openness and visually connect the meeting area to Toray’s stockroom. This area features a minimal geometric table and unique stools upholstered in Ultrasuede finishes, along with an industrial sewing machine for on-site sampling and experimentation.
When closed to the factory floor, the showroom transforms into a softly lit, acoustically insulated space where the warmth of birch wood and the tactile richness of Ultrasuede’s materials create an elevated experience against the industrial backdrop.
2026 // Commission by Toray group.
Designed in collaboration with Rui Pereira
Photos by Francisco Ascenção