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, colours, 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 specialising in hospitality and F&B interiors.
From boutique dining concepts to large-scale hotel developments, I have contributed to projects across the globe — from initial concept to full execution, balancing creativity with precision, always striving for excellence-,while collaborating with diverse teams and cultures that have enlarged my perspective and enriched my design approach.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the world’s most distinguished hospitality brands — including Hilton, Accor, Shangri-La, Kimpton, and Emaar. Each collaboration has been a milestone, deepening both my professional expertise and personal growth.
I’m 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’m 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 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