Policronica is a multidisciplinary studio where creativity meets craftsmanship. Originally founded in 2009 under the name Studio Combo, the practice now operates between Paris, Lisbon, and Rio Maior - home to the Fábrica Policronica, a production and research facility developed as part of the Etosoto initiative.
Bringing together architecture, design, engineering, fabrication, and construction, Policronica delivers integrated, long-term solutions rooted in both technical precision and artisanal sensitivity. Embracing a "polychronic" mindset, the studio favors fluid, interconnected processes that foster experimentation and narrative-driven design.
The Fábrica, set within a former industrial site in Portugal, is the embodiment of this approach: a living laboratory where ideas take shape through material. The studio has developed a deep expertise in working with eucalyptus wood, a local and renewable resource, enhanced by an in-house vacuum drying process engineered to ensure stability and low environmental impact. From sourcing to production, the entire value chain is local, traceable, and aligned with circular economy principles.
Every project is seen as an opportunity to explore new typologies, rethink materials, and propose bold alternatives that integrate seamlessly into their surroundings - always with a focus on sustainability and social impact.
Policronica’s material-driven philosophy has been widely recognized by the international architecture and design community, with accolades including ArchDaily’s Building of the Year (2024 & 2025) and a Dezeen Award in the Hospitality category. A vision where architecture, craft, and positive impact come together to shape a regenerative future.
