What Attracts Global Members to NAHB?
NAHB members enjoy networking with the best in the residential construction industry. These connections can open new markets, products, best practices and more. This is just as important to NAHB members outside of the United States, our Global Members.
NAHB spoke with an NAHB Global Member who attended their first International Builders’ Show this year to find out more about the benefits to international members.
Please tell us about your company and its markets.
La Agencia is an international award-winning design agency that specializes in kitchen furniture systems. Established in 2010 in Montevideo, Uruguay, La Agencia designs contemporary, modular solutions to kitchen storage. The company partners with brands and real estate developers.
La Agencia’s product portfolio has won more than 20 international design awards, including numerous European Product Design Awards, German Design Awards, Good Design Awards, Italy’s A’Design Awards, multiple selections to the BID Ibero-American Design Biennial, and many others.
The company began working on a global level in 2015, collaborating with manufacturers in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Brazil. In 2024, La Agencia launched its first project in the United States. The company is looking to expand its business in North America and develop a network of partnerships as it successfully did in Europe and Latin America.
La Agencia is currently the top furniture design exporter in Uruguay.
La Agencia's Designs
What is your background? How did you get into this line of work?
The team is directed by Sebastian Rial, who has a strong background in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. For more than 15 years, Rial has taught at construction schools and has integrated specialized academic teams in the public university of architecture.
His international experience, particularly in Brazil, was a great incentive to broaden his vision and take La Agencia to a global level. His leadership is supported by Victoria Scola, an industrial designer with an outstanding profile and strong experience in project management, and Andrea Damico, with a wide experience in international business.
The creative team includes professionals from different areas like publicity, graphic design and cinema. On the construction and architecture side, renowned architects choose La Agencia to develop the design of different areas of buildings as well as the whole living experience.
How did you hear about the International Builders’ Show (IBS)?
La Agencia joined the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) last year and designed the KBIS 2024 booth for Centro Rochas, the Brazilian Center of Ornamental Stones Exporters. As part of this project, the company got to also experience IBS 2024 and learn about what the show represents for the industry and the impact it has.
What convinced you to become a member of NAHB?
We had meetings with NAHB staff before IBS 2024, and they were very clear and supportive in explaining the opportunities involved in becoming part of the NAHB community.
From our point of view, NAHB represents the possibility of:
- Staying updated about industry news, innovations and trends
- Learning about the main challenges U.S. home builders are facing
- Connecting with colleagues, stakeholders and potential business partners
- Being part of committees that encourage and promote new and effective design concepts and solutions, and the use of building design to improve housing.
How has being an NAHB member affected your company?
Being a NAHB member is a privilege for La Agencia; we’re the first company from our country to join the community. It has definitely reinforced our positioning as global players, and we would strongly recommend any global companies in the residential construction space consider NAHB Global Membership.