Merged into artisanal philosophy, KARST brand provides constant perfection to models, to variations and new themes, that tend to turn intemporal classical pieces. Our pieces are handmade with a variety of techniques that bring a very exclusive touch of tradition to modern and contemporary decoration. For the most elaborated pieces, up to 10 different craftsmenship are needed. The expert artisans, at their own techniques, are an outsourcing resource for the industrial main core. These are becoming rare in the present furniture industry and in the world of fast consumption. These are resilient european “Arts and Crafts” in the way XIX century British Pre-Rafaelits intended, and still represent the very best of furniture world. Our products are extremely exigent to artisans and techniques, so you can make sure that you will bring a special, exclusive and luxury, sophisticated character to your ambience.
We are located in Oporto, a historical city in the Norte Region of Portugal that has become, in the last years, one of the best European destinations. Our pieces are handmade in the municipalities of Gondomar, Paredes, Paços de Ferreira and Feira (periphery of Oporto city), that are part of the Cluster of Furniture, formally recognized by the Portuguese Government, due the long lasting tradition in that industry.
KARST products are designed by Architect Pedro Karst, who gives the name to the brand, having developed his creative abilities from an early age by his passion for drawing, architecture and nature.
Apart from the retail side, KARST also has expertise in bespoke pieces and interiors of superior quality stemmimg from the long years of reputation in the field of architecture and urbanism (www.karstarquitetos.com and www.facebook.com/karstarquitetos), now oriented for the creation of furniture and accessories representing artisanal capacity of Oporto region in its top quality. More particularly, KARST uses a balance between traditional and modern techniques in the wood furniture design, achieving the best results, either in the production of a single piece or a complete work. The production of furniture was born from growing demand by architecture clients and has reached high levels of maturity.
About Pedro Karst, Arch.
Born in 1967, Pedro Karst finished his degree in the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP) in 1991, and had internships at FAUP, at the Faculties of Architecture of Nancy (DPLG) and of Strasbourg. At CCRN (Norte Regional Coordination Commission), has produced the course thesis “The Intervention of the Architect in City Planning” under the guidance of the known architect Fernando Távora. Turned Master in “Urbanisme de les Ciutats” (1995) by the Laboratori d’Urbanisme de Barcelona of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia/Barcelona Contemporary Culture Centre and Casa de Caritat, directed by the also well-known architect Sola-Morales, his final thesis, “Ensanche Periférico”, focused on the Metropolitan Area of Porto and performed under the orientation of the renowned architect Gonçalo Byrne, received the grade “At the Highest Level”. Since 1989, Pedro Karst has had a long career with proven market credentials at his office Karst Arquitetos. The KARST brand is dedicated to the design and production of furniture.