Joana Alves 
Architect - Senior Interior Designer 

“I create spaces that are unique, textured, spaces that tell a story but also that are a reflection of my personality. Each space has a sense of place and it's an experience that triggers emotions and curiosity to its users.”

With over 12 years of experience in the creative industry, I’m a detail-oriented and driven designer passionate about creating spaces that feel both harmonious and welcoming. My work focuses on the thoughtful balance of materials, textures, colors, ff&e and light, to craft environments that tell a unique and layered story.

With a Master Degree in Architecture from the FAUTL in Lisbon, my design journey has taken me across the globe—from over seven years in Shanghai, where I worked on a wide range of large-scale architectural and interior projects (with a focus on retail and F&B in later years), to Dubai, where I’ve spent the past 6 years specializing in hospitality and F&B interiors.

From boutique dining experiences to large-scale hotel developments, I have worked in numerous projects from initial concept to full execution—balancing creativity with precision and always pushing for excellence.

I am a responsible, committed, and empathetic designer who values collaboration and always strives to deliver high-quality work on time. A listener, looking for ways to grow and excel with every project, and bring genuine passion to everything I do. I am inspired by the people I work with and the natural world around me—both of which shape my creative approach.

I thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments and am always seeking new ways to elevate the spatial experience through considered, human-centered design.

CV

The Odd Duck Design
2023-Now
Senior Interior Designer
Dubai

COCO’S BEACH HOUSE - F&B Specialty Restaurant
Shangri-la Le Touessrok, Mauritius
Open

GUESTROOMS REFURBISHMENT
Shangri-la Le Touessrok, Mauritius
Open

CAFE DAUBAN - F&B All Day Dining
Hilton Labriz- Seychelles
In Progress

DISPATCH- F&B All Day Dining
Pullman- Ethiopia 
In Progress

IMAN GASTROPUB - F&B Bar
Pullman- Ethiopia 
In Progress

PUBLIC AREAS, EXECUTIVE LOUNGE & ALL DAY DINING - Hospitality
Sofitel Al Medina, Saudi Arabia
In Progress

Zebra 2020-2023
Senior Interior Designer
Dubai

THIPTARA- F&B High-end-Restaurant
Palace Downtown, Dubai
Built

SOFITEL GYM - Wellness
Sofitel Downtown, Dubai 
Built

SOFITEL ALL DAY DINING - F&B All Day Dining
Sofitel Downtown, Dubai
Concept

GOLD SOUK REFURBISHMENT - Retail
Dubai Mall - Dubai 
Built

GMG- Office
Dubai & Singapore
Built

SNOW OMAN - Commercial and F&B
Mall of Oman, Muscat
Built

VOX Theatre MOE- F&B Lounge & Cinema 
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Concept

F.R.N.D.S CAFE- F&B High-end-Restaurant
Address Fountain Views - Dubai
Built

RED ROBIN - F&B Casual Restaurant
Several locations across USA
Concept

MARINA MALL REFURBISHMENT- Public Areas and F&B
Marina Mall - Dubai 
Built

DUBAI MALL WASHROOMS REFURBISHMENT -
Retail Dubai Mall - Dubai 
Built

Stickman Tribe 2019-2021
Interior Designer
Dubai

ALM RESORT- Full scope Hotel - Hospitality
Hilton Canopy, Seychelles
Built

ABRAAJ HOTEL - Spa & Gym, Swimming pool, Kids Club and Business Center- Hospitality
Swiss Hotel - Qatar
Confidential

KIMPTON HOTEL - Public Areas - Hospitality
Kimpton Hotel, Shanghai 
Concept

Link+Architects 2017-2019
Interior Designer
Dubai

AEX & OVV STORE - High-end-Store - Retail
Shanghai
Built

FOOD COURT - F&B
Mall in Kunming, Kunming
Concept

WILLS GYM- Wellness
China
Concept

HLA JEANS CHINA- Retail
China
Built

AEX COFFEE - F&B
Jiangyn, China
Concept

HEILAN HOME - Retail
Zhengzhou, Wuxi & Fuzhou
Built

BFC GARDEN- Retail
Shanghai
Concept

BFC BUND FINANCIAL CENTER SHANGHAI- Lift Lobbies
Shanghai
Built

AEX POP UP STORE- Retail
China
Built

M50 SHANGHAI- Urban Renovation
Shanghai, China

GPT 2017
Freelancer Interior Designer
Shanghai

QINGDAO HOSPITAL- Healthcare
Qingdao
Built

JKSQUARE 2014-2015
Interior Designer & Architect
Shanghai

PIZZA HUT HQ - F&B
Beijing
Built

HALF SPACE CONCEPT STORE - Retail
Shanghai
Built

GX - Office
Beijing
Built

KINDERGARTEN SHANGHAI (Architecture)- Educational
Shanghai
Concept

CSCEC 2013
Junior Architect
Shenzhen

ARCHIVE URUMQI (Architecture Competition) - Cultural

WELFARE CENTER SHENZHEN (Architecture Competition) - Healthcare

FTA Architectural Group 2012
Intern Architect
Shanghai

BANK OF CHINA  (Architecture Competition) - Bank
Hefei

KINDERGARTEN KUNSHAN (Architecture Competition- Award) -  Educational
Kunshan

Datrans 2011-2012
Intern Architect
Shanghai

Anfoo Studio 2019-Now
Founder & Senior Interior Designer
Lisbon, Shanghai

FF&E PROJECT - Clinic - Lisbon

VFX VILLA - Lisbon

FFN&E RESIDENTIAL PROJECT - Lisbon

RESIDENTIAL VILLA - Chongqing

VILLA SHANGHAI - Shanghai

FROMM LOGISTIC WAREHOUSE OFFICES - Lisbon 

RESIDENTIAL VILLA - Shanghai

RESIDENTIAL VILLA - Lisbon 

BAKERY - Competition - Lisbon 

RESIDENTIAL VILLA - Competition - Lisbon

FREELANCE JO 2016-Now
Lead & Senior Interior Designer
Lisbon, Shanghai, UAE

LIVING ROOM DESIGN - Abu Dhabi

FF&E PROJECT - RESIDENTIAL - Comporta

XIAOLONG BAO RESTAURANT -  Chongqing 

RUOMI VILLA - Shanghai 

BREWERY SHANGHAI - (Collaboration with Ale Maggi and Guillermo Bravo) Shanghai

IFFG RETAIL DEPARTMENT STORE - Shanghai


Skills

SOFTWARES SKILLS

Autocad
Sketchup
Adobe Photoshop
Indesign
Illustrator

LINGUISTICS SKILLS

Portuguese
English
Spanish
French
Basic chinese


Education

MASTER DEGREE ARCHITECTURE 

2009-2010 — Faculdade de Arquitetura UTL, Lisbon

2008-2009 — Institut Victor Horta ULB, Bruxelles


DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE 

2005-2009 — Faculdade de Arquitetura UTL, Lisbon