Trained as a 17th-19th century woodworker at the North Bennet St. School and in the George Nakashima shop in New Hope, PA, Hugo delves into historical precedent and the perfection of use through form by centuries of craftspeople to produce furniture of timeless aesthetics which meets the needs of 21st-century furniture. Hugo sees himself as a woodworker first and believe that his furniture is the result not only of his work on the wood but of its working on him. His artwork has been exhibited internationally and has been published in Architectural Digest and Visions magazine. He has received support for his work from the Winterthur museum and the Mt. Fuji Wood Culture Society. He serves on the board for the Alex Brown Foundation.

Hugo holds degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design and the North Bennet St. School.