Salù Iwadi Studio is a multidisciplinary design practice founded in 2023 by Nigerian architect, designer and artist Toluwalase Rufai and creative strategist and curator Sandia Nassila. Working across contemporary design, cultural research and craftsmanship, the studio creates collectible furniture, lighting, sculptural objects and installations inspired by the histories, traditions and material cultures of Africa and its diaspora. Its philosophy centres on transforming cultural narratives into meaningful designs that connect ancestral knowledge with contemporary living.
Operating across Lagos, Dakar and Marrakech, Salù Iwadi Studio collaborates with artisans to reinterpret traditional techniques and indigenous materials through a modern design language. Notable works include the Patewo Chair, inspired by Yoruba hairstyles and the gesture of clapping, and the Zangbeto Side Table, which draws from the protective masquerade traditions of Benin. Through its thoughtful exploration of cultural memory, craftsmanship and identity, the studio is contributing to a broader appreciation of African design within the international creative landscape.
