Josep María Tremoleda, Josep María Massana, and Mariano Ferrer are prominent figures in modern Spanish design, celebrated for their pioneering work in furniture and lighting. Their collaboration, which began in the late 1960s, helped shape Barcelona’s design landscape, blending technological precision with functional beauty. Together, they co-founded Mobles 114 in 1973, a furniture store and design studio that became synonymous with innovative, timeless designs. Their approach was centered on simplicity, with an emphasis on creating functional pieces that were both practical and aesthetically enduring.

Tremoleda and Massana, both graduates of Barcelona’s Escola Massana, formed a long-lasting partnership that would define their careers. Together, they developed designs that were both minimalist and highly functional, such as the Tria bookshelf (1978) and the Gira table lamp (1978) which is now edited and published by Santa & Cole. Their work focused on maximizing production efficiency without sacrificing quality, establishing them as leading voices in the post-Franco design renaissance. Tremoleda also played a significant role in the design community, serving as president of ADI-FAD and founding the Reunión de Empresas de Diseño (RED) in 1993, an organization dedicated to promoting Spanish design internationally.

Mariano Ferrer, who joined Tremoleda and Massana in founding Mobles 114, was also a key contributor to their shared design philosophy. Ferrer, an independent designer in his own right, created standout pieces like the Espiral wall hanger(1970) and the Lo magazine rack (1998). His work, along with Tremoleda and Massana’s, focused on creating designs that combined innovation with practicality, paving the way for a new era in Spanish design. Today, their legacy continues to inspire designers and architects, as their work remains a benchmark for quality, elegance, and functional beauty in modern design.

ABOUT SANTA & COLE

Santa & Cole was established in 1985 as a small, independent firm dedicated to editing and publishing design objects for use in both private and public spaces. Located in Barcelona, Spain, they produce designs in collaboration with their extensive network of local suppliers and global partners, including those in Japan, where the washi paper for the Tekiò lighting collection is produced.

Following a decade of upheaval caused by a dictatorship, founders Nina Masó, Javier Nieto Santa, and Gabriel Ordeig began creating exceptional lighting for some of Barcelona's most famous bars. They advocated for the use of natural materials such as wood, stitched cardboard, and ribbons. The classic Básica lamp was developed during this time, shifting the aesthetic from the technical and cold materials of the era to a warmer, more human aesthetic.

Today, Santa & Cole continues its quest to enhance and enrich people's lives through designs that have become iconic while remaining accessible to all. Committed to this mission, the company looks to history to inform its future, approaching its design practice with a modern sensibility and a desire for human connection.