The president, royal family, and design thinking?
In planning a visit for a friend in early March, I was inspired to explore the Palácio de Bélem, a site celebrated for its significant contribution to Portugal’s historical and cultural landscape. The Palácio de Bélem’s access to the public is notably limited, opening its doors only on Saturdays and contingent upon the palace not hosting any major events.
Securing a visit required a bit of preparation. Interested visitors must reach out via email well in advance to confirm their participation in a guided tour. Notably, the palace caters predominantly to Portuguese-speaking visitors, offering a single guided tour in English, which underscores the authentic experience it aims to provide.
Our group, consisting of roughly 12 individuals, experienced a truly engaging tour, greatly enhanced by the tour guide’s deep passion for the palace’s history and architectural beauty. The small group size facilitated a more intimate exploration, allowing us to traverse the grandeur of the palace and its gardens with a sense of personal connection. The guide’s enthusiasm brought the stories of the Palácio de Bélem to life, making the visit not just an educational journey but a memorable encounter with Portugal’s rich heritage. This visit highlighted the Palácio de Bélem’s role not only as a symbol of national pride but as a living narrative of Portugal’s storied past, shared in a uniquely engaging way.
What is the Palácio de Bélem?
Let’s start with some context first. The Palacio de Belém is a significant historical and cultural landmark with deep roots in the country’s past and an active role in its present. Built in the 16th century originally as a summer getaway for Portuguese royalty, this majestic palace has been a witness to many key events in Portugal’s history. Over its long history, the Palacio de Belém has transformed in both its design and its purpose. From being a royal residence, it has evolved into the official residence of the President of Portugal. This change highlights the palace’s continuous importance in the country’s political and social life.
In more recent times, the Palacio de Belém has maintained its significance, serving as the place where the President works, meets with international guests, and holds official events. But the palace is not just about politics - it also has a role in culture. Parts of the palace and its gardens are open for the public to visit, offering a window into Portugal’s rich traditions, art, and history through its collections and landscapes. The palace’s dedication to being open and educational shows its value not only as a symbol of national pride but also as a place where the story of Portugal continues to be told.
What is the “Sala das Bicas”?
As I have seen many interesting things during the visit, I wanted to focus on the room/ attraction which some of us might know. The “Sala das Bicas” is an important room located in the Palácio de Belém. This room is special because it is where the president often speaks to the public and the media, making it a key place for sharing information and making announcements. Its name comes from its distinctive decorations, and it is known for its beauty and historical value.
The “Sala das Bicas” is not just a room for events — it represents the openness of the Portuguese government to its people. It shows the blend of Portugal’s rich history with the needs of today’s society, making it a symbol of how the country honours its past while looking forward to the future. This room is a part of the Palácio de Belém that has seen many significant moments in Portuguese history and continues to be a place where important decisions and messages are communicated to the nation.
Why did I choose this room? How does it relate to our class/ project/ Design Thinking?
In our work, sharing and exchanging information is as essential as the role of the Sala das Bicas in fostering communication within Portuguese society and the wider international community. This analogy underscores the importance of effective communication in our projects, much like the design thinking process relies on open dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
Our interactions with various stakeholders — such as team members, research candidates, and consultants — require a clear and flexible approach to communication. These interactions are comparable to the varied audiences the Sala das Bicas addresses, stressing the need for our messages to be both accessible and engaging to diverse groups.
Moreover, our projects evolve through several stages, including the ideation phase and feedback loops. This progression mirrors the iterative cycles of the design thinking process, where ideas are generated, shared, and refined in a collaborative environment. The Sala das Bicas, with its historical significance and role in public discourse, symbolizes the space where ideas meet and dialogue flourishes, reflecting the essence of design thinking’s collaborative and iterative nature.
Effective communication within our projects, therefore, is as crucial to success as the Sala das Bicas is to Portuguese cultural and political discourse. It acts as the channel for ideas, feedback, and decision-making, highlighting the importance of maintaining open channels of communication to navigate the complexities of our work. Just as the Sala das Bicas serves as a key platform for dialogue in Portugal, so too does communication serve as the backbone of our projects, enabling us to foster innovation, address challenges, and achieve our objectives in a dynamic and ever-changing environment.
