On October 15, CUBIÑÁ welcomed designer Luca Nichetto and RS Barcelona to Casa Thomas in Barcelona for a special event held as part of Barcelona Design Week. An inspiring conversation about design, craftsmanship and innovation, centred around AL13, a pool table that invites us to reflect on the relationship between objects and culture.
Exploring design beyond the object
At CUBIÑÁ, we understand design as a form of expression that goes beyond aesthetics and functionality. Every object is the result of a creative process shaped by materials, knowledge, decisions and cultural references.
With this perspective in mind, on October 15 we hosted “AL13: Material as Cultural Expression” at our Casa Thomas space, together with RS Barcelona and internationally renowned designer Luca Nichetto.
Part of the Barcelona Design Week programme, the event brought together design professionals and enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to exchanging ideas, discovering creative processes and reflecting on the cultural value of the objects that surround us.
AL13: A pool table as a starting point
At the heart of the event was AL13, a pool table designed by Luca Nichetto for RS Barcelona, which became the starting point for a conversation about the relationship between design, materials and craftsmanship.
In conversation with Jazmín Castresana from Interior Contraportada, Nichetto shared insights into the creative process behind AL13, exploring the experiments, decisions and material choices that shaped the piece.
The discussion highlighted how craftsmanship and innovation can coexist within a single object, bringing together traditional expertise and a contemporary approach to design.
Beyond its function as a gaming table, AL13 offered an opportunity to reflect on how objects can communicate identity and express a particular way of understanding the world.
Material as cultural expression
One of the central themes of the event was the role of materials and manufacturing processes in creating meaning.
Design is not simply about giving shape to an object. It also involves making decisions that reflect a particular sensibility, a tradition and a connection to the surrounding environment.
The conversation concluded with a question that captured the essence of the event: What does an object reveal about the place and the people who made it?
A thought-provoking reflection that encourages us to look at design from a broader perspective, understanding each piece as the result of an ongoing dialogue between creativity, technique and culture.
CUBIÑÁ: A space for sharing design culture
The event also provided an opportunity to bring the design community together in an environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences.
At our Casa Thomas space, guests had the chance to discover AL13 up close, engage in conversation and enjoy an evening where design became a shared point of connection.
The event concluded with a prize draw for a signed copy of Luca Nichetto’s book, Nichetto Studio: Projects, Collaborations and Conversations in Design, a special keepsake from the occasion.
At CUBIÑÁ, we would like to thank Luca Nichetto and Jazmín Castresana for sharing their insights, RS Barcelona and Interior Contraportada for their collaboration, and Barcelona Design Week for including this event in its programme.
We remain committed to creating spaces that bring design closer to people, encourage meaningful conversations and inspire new ways of understanding the objects and spaces we inhabit.
We invite you to visit CUBIÑÁ at Casa Thomas and discover AL13 up close.
