esad—idea is the Research Unit of ESAD — College of Arts and Design. Our mission is to conceive, develop and enable solutions through and by Design and interdisciplinary practices, promoting cultural, social, and environmental change and improvement. As part of the Portuguese Scientific and Technological System, we are ranked “Very Good” by the FCT — Foundation for Science and Technology. We are the Portuguese representantives at BEDA — The Bureau of European Design Associations. 

esad—idea is located at Rua Brito Capelo, Matosinhos, in a historical building designed in 1937 by architect Manuel Fernandes de Sá. In 2016, the building was rehabilitated by architect Maria Milano and turned into a multifunctional space. It is now home to the Research Unit, accommodating the researchers and partners in their projects. The building includes a residence that welcomes guests and participants to conferences, events, workshops and research projects. It also hosts the Exploratório, a venue for cultural programmes, and serves as headquarters to the Porto Design Biennale, promoted by the Porto and Matosinhos City Councils and organized by esad—idea.

esad—idea envisages interdisciplinary practice-based Design research as a powerful process in reframing challenges, questioning perspectives, and generating information, knowledge and solutions that contribute to cultural, social and environmental enhancement with local, national and global relevance and impact.

Based on 3 research clusters—Research for Culture; Research for Society; Research for Life—by the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and FCT’s Thematic Agendas, esad—idea takes on the role of regional and national leadership in research through Design and active participation in international networks for research and promotion of Design culture.

esad—idea deepens the relationships between teaching and research, strengthening the collaboration and inter-relationship between teachers, students and researchers, progressively integrating academic training in the research clusters.

esad—idea is responsible for the ESAD Design Cluster and the exhibition venue Casa do Design. It is also responsible for initiating and organizing the Porto Design Biennale (2019 onwards). To disseminate the knowledge produced, esad—idea is a publisher specialized in works related to our research areas.
 

In the context of social innovation and the production of critical knowledge, esad—idea works in partnership with institutions such as the FCT, DGArtes, Porto City Council and Matosinhos City Council.

The valorization of the industrial and business fabric at local and national level results in applied research, welcoming and stimulating partnerships and projects that contribute to economic, social, technological and cultural development.

These partnerships aim to stimulate strategic development in the region where esad—idea is located, promoting initiatives that lead to the enhancement of the knowledge of the entire community.