Ines Brandao leads a Lisbon architecture practice whose independent work began in 2006 and developed into a dedicated studio in 2016. Her education at Universidade Lusiada de Lisboa included a year at the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio, where work in Peter Zumthor's studio influenced her attention to material and form. The practice starts with the physical, cultural and historical qualities of each site. Light, proportion, scale and the relationship between inside and outside guide the development of spaces. Materials are considered part of the construction and experience of a building, rather than simply surface finishes. Projects are developed collaboratively with clients, builders and engineers, with a focus on solutions that respond to their context.