Kesley Santiago debuted at CASACOR São Paulo 2024 presenting a new perspective on architecture and interior design. Inspired by her ancestral roots and the theme of this year's edition, the architect created the Njinga Room : a baby room in homage to Njinga, the queen of Angola and leader of the Mbundu people — who resisted European occupation and enslavement for four decades. To build the space, Kesley delved into his own roots, which are descended from the Mbundu people, one of the main ethnic groups in Angola. The 25 m² space seeks to highlight his ancestral origins based on nobility and, therefore, was filled with textures and symbolic elements that refer to the cultural diversity and richness of the central region of Africa. Kesley designed not only the space, but also the furniture, wallpaper and linens. In the project, the materiality of the room is represented by wood, sisal, iron and straw — elements that are important to the history of the Mbundu people. Each element, from the prints to the natural aspects, was chosen to reflect the essence and beauty of the Mbundu people, such as the Africa lamp, which refers to the natural resources of the territory of the Ndongo kingdom. In addition, clay pieces, rugs and an armchair create the aesthetic of a peacock with its wings spread.

The architect explains that the historical richness is emphasized at all times: “I bring all this historical richness to the design of the baby’s room, in elements such as wood, used in the construction of the houses; iron, which was a spiritual and political symbol of strength, sustenance and lineage; the geography of the savannah, which, in addition to providing sustenance through agriculture, was the scene of battles between the natives and the Portuguese; the hydrography, which favored and made possible the escape of the natives; the mineral resources present in Angola, such as gold, represented in details of the furniture; the graphics of the fabrics; and the materiality of wicker, sisal and straw.”

SERVICE – CASACOR São Paulo 2024

Where: National Complex, on Paulista Avenue, 2073 – São Paulo (SP) When: May 21 to July 28, 2024 Box office hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 10pm Sundays and holidays, from 11am to 9pm Digital box office: https://appcasacor.com.br/en/events/sao-paulo-2024 Ticket prices: R$ 111 – Full R$ 56 – Half price Purchase of half-price tickets: senior citizens aged 60 and over, students presenting a valid photo ID or payment receipt. Disabled individuals and their companions (according to law 12.933/13). Proof of half-price tickets will be required at the door.