The premium furniture brand Artifeks embraces a conscientious design practice rooted in heritage and purpose.
At Artifeks, design goes far beyond aesthetics. Founder Clair Concepcion Barberis began her journey fresh out of college by establishing a garment factory. For nearly a decade, she designed and manufactured pieces for her brand, as well as for department stores and private clients—a hands-on foundation that shaped her deeper approach to designing today.
To Clair and her artisans, design encompasses not only the creation of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture but also the cultivation of a mindful, intentional lifestyle embodied by those pieces, a philosophy perfectly captured by the sustainable brand’s credo: “Elevating craftsmanship to a conscientious design practice.”
A Filipino DNA
Rooted in Filipino culture, Artifeks creates timeless furniture pieces inspired by the diverse regions of the Philippines, with each piece highlighting a region’s most characteristic or abundant local materials. Whether it’s the mahogany from a family-owned farm in Lipa, Batangas, used in the brand’s UKIT collection and chandeliers, or the seagrass handicrafts from communities in Bohol that embellish its Tribu lamps, Artifeks designs celebrate the natural richness of the islands while promoting sustainability.
Each furniture piece requires many dedicated hours, with artisans working meticulously by hand. A visit to the factory makes it impossible not to appreciate their skill and dedication. These are not mere workers—they are storytellers, expressing their craft through wood, metal, weave, and form.
Artifeks’ commitment to craftsmanship is also a commitment to people. From its inception, the company chose to collaborate with local roadside workers-turned-artisans, many of whom had no prior design background. “Filipinos are incredibly creative,” says Clair. “Just like how every Filipino can sing or dance, that creative spark runs deep in our DNA.”
Clair paired that inborn creative spark with a deep respect for tradition by modernizing heritage pieces using traditional techniques, ensuring that each item roots in legacy but remains relevant and even inflects that legacy in today’s modern spaces.
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Designing With Purpose
Sustainability lies at the heart of Artifeks’ mission, reflected in its reliance on recycled and responsibly sourced materials to reduce waste consumption. Its products are designed to last—visually refined, structurally enduring, and environmentally conscious. The brand continues to advance its sustainability agenda by striving to make a positive, prosocial impact, ensuring that even small choices, whether over labor, material, or design, have significant, lasting effects on the environment and on those who choose to enjoy Artifeks furniture for generations.
Equally important is Artifeks’ people-first approach. The brand’s operations intentionally seek to collaborate with and uplift marginalized individuals—elderly women, wayward young adults, parents, and out-of-school youths—through a purposeful strategy that develops their craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities, empowering them to shape their destinies and become positive influences in their communities.
Clair values mentorship and thrives in collaborating with synergistic, highly talented individuals and educational institutions. Through an internship partnership with the Department of Fine Arts and Design at the Philippine Women’s University, she views every opportunity to innovate as a chance to use business as a force for good, benefiting individuals and the community.
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Domisilyô Means Home
Artifeks strongly believes that success is best shared. The company treats its employees, partners, and customers with respect, transparency, and integrity. These values guide its decisions and the way it builds long-term, meaningful relationships.
To bring the Artifeks design stories to life, the team created Domisilyô, a showroom space housed in a classic home tucked just behind Rockwell. Meaning “home,” Domisilyô was designed to feel like a collective living space, inviting visitors to move through and engage with the layered narratives told by each piece, in an environment that radiates the warmth and thoughtfulness of a beautifully lived-in home.
“You’re not just walking out with a piece of furniture on impulse,” Clair explains. “Our space is about connection, seeing, feeling, and envisioning how these pieces can live in your home. It’s warm, inviting, and personal.”
Domisilyô showcases pieces not only designed by Arifeks but also by its two conscious sister brands, Kanya and Maison Métisse—creative, handcrafted labels specializing in accessories and woven garments, respectively. All three brands share a belief in quality, cultural heritage, and design that supports fair labor practices and sustainable lifestyles.
Whether you’re designing your first home or adding a new and compelling design touch on that apartment you’ve lived in for years, Artifeks can bring that “just right” thoughtful design, rich heritage, and vibrant craft to your space.
Their growing customer base includes interior designers, restaurant and boutique resort owners, artists, and creatives of all kinds—anyone looking for a space to bring their ideas to life. They welcome both retail and custom orders, crafted with care and cultural insight.
Visit Artifeks at Domisilyô, open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11 AM to 6 PM. Appointments can be made via Instagram.
Artifeks is also available at The Fine Life Market in Rockwell until June 15.
To learn more, visit https://artifeksph.com.
Photos courtesy of Artifeks
