Studio Barcho, founded by Gabriel Sarmiento Schmid in 2025, is an architecture and design practice based in Lisbon, Portugal. The firm’s approach centers around the interplay of people, place, and process. Their design is anchored in the power of interaction between professionals and clients, site and culture, as well as material and assembly, resulting in enduring, rigorous, well-designed solutions. At Studio Barcho, they believe that process is crucial to a successful outcome. By fostering a stimulating and dynamic environment, they celebrate the joy of creation at all scales and transform vision into reality with care and precision.
Gabriel Sarmiento Schmid is a designer who draws inspiration from a global tapestry of cultures and experiences. With roots in the Philippines and Switzerland, he now lives in Lisbon, Portugal. His journey reflects a spirit of exploration and adaptability. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (MArch II 2024) and the Rhode Island School of Design (B. Arch and BFA 2019), where he earned the Undergraduate Thesis Award, Gabriel’s academic and professional journey exposed him to three continents and a rich range of ideas.
Gabriel completed his first project, a residence in Manila, Philippines, delving into innovative construction techniques. This endeavor exemplifies his approach to design, a collaborative process that blurs the boundaries between designers, craftsmen, and enhances the use of local materials. In his work he reimagines the roles of tradition and technique in shaping spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
Beyond design, Gabriel finds freedom and inspiration in exploring the world on two wheels. Traveling by motorcycle fuels his curiosity and deepens his appreciation for diverse landscapes, cultures, and ways of living. This perspective informs his approach to architecture, enabling him to design.
Studio Barcho, founded by Gabriel Sarmiento Schmid in 2025, is an architecture and design practice based in Lisbon, Portugal. The firm’s approach centers around the interplay of people, place, and process. Their design is anchored in the power of interaction between professionals and clients, site and culture, as well as material and assembly, resulting in enduring, rigorous, well-designed solutions. At Studio Barcho, they believe that process is crucial to a successful outcome. By fostering a stimulating and dynamic environment, they celebrate the joy of creation at all scales and transform vision into reality with care and precision.
Gabriel Sarmiento Schmid is a designer who draws inspiration from a global tapestry of cultures and experiences. With roots in the Philippines and Switzerland, he now lives in Lisbon, Portugal. His journey reflects a spirit of exploration and adaptability. A graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design (MArch II 2024) and the Rhode Island School of Design (B. Arch and BFA 2019), where he earned the Undergraduate Thesis Award, Gabriel’s academic and professional journey exposed him to three continents and a rich range of ideas.
Gabriel completed his first project, a residence in Manila, Philippines, delving into innovative construction techniques. This endeavor exemplifies his approach to design, a collaborative process that blurs the boundaries between designers, craftsmen, and enhances the use of local materials. In his work he reimagines the roles of tradition and technique in shaping spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
Beyond design, Gabriel finds freedom and inspiration in exploring the world on two wheels. Traveling by motorcycle fuels his curiosity and deepens his appreciation for diverse landscapes, cultures, and ways of living. This perspective informs his approach to architecture, enabling him to design.