Piegatto reinvigorates Guatemala’s design scene with sculptural, nature-inspired forms.

In an exclusive feature, Hospitality Design magazine spotlights Piegatto,  a Guatemala-based design studio renowned for its sculptural, architectural furniture. Founded in 2006 by Alejandro Estrada and Sandra Ovalle, both trained in architecture and restoration in Italy, the studio has grown into a family-run creative powerhouse, joined by their son Pietro in 2016. What began as an architecture practice has evolved into a studio dedicated to crafting timeless pieces that blend artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling.

The article explores Piegatto’s design philosophy, which is deeply rooted in material innovation and a respect for natural forms. The studio is known for its use of layered laminated wood to achieve dynamic, sculptural shapes that feel simultaneously robust and lightweight. Pieces like the Soave sectional and Martin bench reflect this duality, designed to shift in appearance depending on the viewer’s perspective and the way light interacts with their surfaces.

Piegatto's process is patient and meticulous, often beginning with a period of creative stillness before sketches and physical models take form. Their creations carry the spirit of handmade precision, produced entirely in their own workshop in Guatemala. Beyond aesthetics, the studio is also embracing sustainability, with initiatives such as pursuing B Corp certification and developing an outdoor furniture line using long-lasting materials like fiberglass.

Hospitality Design positions Piegatto not just as furniture makers, but as storytellers—designers who craft emotional, enduring objects that express identity, place, and purpose. It’s a celebration of form, family, and the quiet strength of ideas shaped by time.