EWE Studio | Meet the founders

Age Salajõe (1986) was born in Estonia and is a Mexico City-based creative director. Her practice has previously led her to work in Scandinavia, London, New York and Miami. In 2016, Age moved to Mexico City with a keen design eye and entrepreneurial approach for cross-pollination between mediums – whether it be art or design. In blurring the line across mediums she is gatherer of beautiful things and nexus for cross-cultural ways of thinking. Aside of her other practices, MASA Galeria and NETA VERE, Age co-founded EWE Studio alongside héctor Esrawer and Manu Bañó in 2017.

“What makes me passionate about my work at EWE is the opportunity to work with Mexico’s extraordinary natural materials, skills and techniques. Our commitment lies in translating ancient narratives into new meanings and languages, creating collectible design, with the aim of exhibiting our works on a global scale. While every piece at EWE holds a special place in my heart, it is a challenge to single out one particular work. However, the Magma collection holds a unique place in my heart. It brings to mind the collaborative discussions that took place in my apartment in 2017, where Hector, Manu and I brainstormed inspirations for our first lighting collection. The design process was very electric, organic and natural, resulting in the birth of Magma through a long inspirational dialogue.”  – Age Salajõe

Golden Magma Lighting Fixtures, 2019.

Manu Bañó (1990) was born in Valencia, Spain and is a Mexico City based designer. He studied Industrial Design at the UCH CEU University in Valencia and a master’s degree in Furniture and Lighting.

Son of a designer and an artist, Manu grew up in a creative and experimental environment, awakening his interest in materials, craft techniques, and the nature of objects at an early age. After moving to Mexico City in 2013, Manu honed on his personal design practice and went on to co-found EWE Studio with Héctor Esrawe and Age Salajõe in 2017.

“I have a special affection for the Copal Table, probably because developing it was a real challenge. It is one of those pieces whose simplicity hides a technical and productive challenge. it is one of those pieces whose simplicity hides a technical and productive challenge. It is made up of only six pieces, three large hemispheres that float on three other small hemispheres. All are hand-sculpted in marble and connected to each other in a perfect balance, where the only contact surface between them is 10cm in diameter. It’s almost imperceptible. The whole thing weighs a ton and must be assembled upside down to leave the top surface intact and then turned over with a crane and with great care.” –  Manuel Bañó

Copal Coffee Table, 2019.

Héctor Esrawe (1968) was born in Mexico City and graduated from the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) in 1992 as an Industrial Designer. His work has taken him from being a professor and well-known design figure to having a plenthora of design practices.

Hector firmly believes in collaboration and multidisciplinary interaction, which has allowed him to work with other design and architecture studios, urbanists, artists, museum curators and scenographers. This enthusiasm has led him to become a co-founder if EWE, VISSIO and MASA, which aim to promote Mexican collectible design. EWE Studio was co-founded by Héctor Esrawe, Age Salajõe and Manu Bañó in 2017.

The Altar collection is one of my preferred pieces because it focuses on raw materials and a straightforward process that mirrors the essence of EWE. When stone masons

Altar Table no. 7, 2021.