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