Argentina has always had a keen eye on design in all its disciplines, from architecturally strong women’s wear by Jessica Trosman to physical constructions such as Clorindo Testa’s Brutalist national library in Buenos Aires or the iconic 1938-designed BKF Butterfly chair by Grupo Austral. With Federico Churba’s geometrical minimalism leading the pack, we take a look at the next generation of Argentinean industrial designers creating waves.

Estudio Cabeza
Taking on a much-needed renovation of bustling Buenos Aires’ mass transit access points is no mean feat, but furnishing the South American metropolis with new covered bus stops and street signage is one of Estudio Cabeza’s most audacious projects. Commissioned by the Buenos Aires city government, Diana Cabeza, Martín Wolfson and Leandro Heine overhauled dilapidated and unreadable signs, breathing fresh life into them.

Cast-iron and aluminium sign posts now show off a new flexible side, given that they can be attached to building façades and walls, pose independently on street corners in a self-standing version or be fixed atop traffic lights. Bus shelters, meanwhile, were previously a rare sight around the city so the team started from scratch. Both projects were awarded with first prize in a national contest for urban furniture and equipment in 2004.

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