MEET THE TALENTED DESIGNERS FROM ALL TIMES
SERGIO RODRIGUES
Sergio Rodrigues (1927 - 2014) is the biggest name in furniture design in Brazil, known worldwide as the creator of genuine Brazilian furniture. Born in Rio de Janeiro, in his early years he understood the meaning of the word design building his own toy cars, soldiers and airplanes. He graduated in 1952 at the National College of Architecture of Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro. From the very beginning, Sergio bet on the creation of furniture that would follow the innovation of Brazilian architecture, which in the 1950's gained worldwide notoriety. Sergio believed that the furniture should reflect the culture of its origin while providing adequate comfort for the Brazilian climate and our easygoing lifestyle, at a time when strictly functional furniture and international design were valued. Throughout his sixty-year career, he created about 1,200 models that equipped palaces, government offices, diplomatic representations, hotels, theaters, businesses and homes. The diversity of his work is centered in the ability to understand the need of each architectural space and to design from the available resources in each occasion, delivering a furniture with grace and soul. Sergio Rodrigues Atelier reflects the outlook and lifestyle of the master of Brazilian design. The brand rescues his history through unique pieces of furniture which stimulate sensations and instigate the desire of those who value living experiences with beauty and pleasure.
LINA BO BARDI
Bo Bardi graduated with an architecture degree in 1939 at the University of Rome, where she had studied under architects such as Marcello Piacentini and Gustavo Giovannoni. After graduating, she relocated to Milan, where she collaborated with architect Carlo Pagani and designer Gio Ponti. In 1944, she became the deputy director of Domus, a renowned design magazine, and embarked on a project to document the postwar devastation in Italy. The following year, she married Pietro Maria Bardi, and together they immigrated to Brazil. Bo Bardi's influence in Brazil grew as she designed the interior and fittings for the Museum of São Paulo (MASP) and founded the influential magazine Habitat. She also initiated Brazil's first industrial design course and designed Casa de Vidro, her iconic glass house. In the late 1950s, she began working in Salvador, where she restored historic buildings and established the Museum of Modern Art. Political unrest in 1964 prompted her return to São Paulo, where she continued her architectural and cultural work, adopting a design philosophy focused on social responsibility and local materials. Bo Bardi's contributions to Brazilian architecture were recognized in the late 20th century, culminating in the establishment of the Instituto Lina Bo e P.M Bardi and numerous retrospective exhibitions celebrating her legacy.
JEAN GILLON
Although he was Romanian by birth, architect and designer Jean Gillon’s heart and soul belonged to his adopted country of Brazil. The country’s culture and revered architecture served as a muse for his mid-century furniture designs. Today Gillon ranks among the most interesting figures in Brazilian modernism, which is characterized by sensual forms and beautifully handcrafted chairs, tables and cabinets built from exotic hardwoods. Gillon was born in Iasi and graduated from the city’s George Enescu National University of the Arts. He then moved to Paris, where he studied tapestry, worked at the newspaper Le Monde as a cartoonist and moonlighted as a set designer for the Paris Opera Ballet. He eventually left Paris for Vienna, where he studied architecture at the School of Industrial Arts. In 1956, Gillon moved with his wife and two daughters to Sao Paulo, where he developed a passion for Brazilian architecture, namely the work of modernists such as celebrated architect Lina Bo Bardi and designer José Zanine Caldas. Gillon’s furnishings were immensely popular and could be found in the planned capital city of Brasilia, a project launched in 1956 by Oscar Niemeyer. He was best known for his lounge chairs and sofas, including his iconic Jangada chair. Named for the Portuguese word for traditional Brazilian fishing boats, the award-winning Jangada was framed in jacaranda in the late 1960s.
JOAQUIM TENREIRO
JOAQUIM TENREIRO Referred to often as the “father” of Brazilian modernism, furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro, who was born in Portugal and moved to Rio de Janeiro in the late 1920s, refused to indulge the parochial tastes of his new country and instead challenged his clients to appreciate more contemporary styles. In the early 1940s, he established his own studio, and by the 1950s he was designing furniture for modern architects like Oscar Niemeyer. Tenreiro championed furniture that was “formally light”, as he described; working in wicker and tropical hardwoods to suit the hot climate of Brazil, he is a prime example of a designer making the most of material constraints.
GIUSEPPE SCAPINELLI
Born in 1911 in Modena, Italy, Giuseppe Scapinelli was a versatile artist. An architect, painter, ceramist, sculptor and designer, he constantly reinvented himself in search of beauty. In the post-war context, with his diploma in architecture obtained in 1941 and his immense imagination in his luggage, he organised his departure for Brazil in 1948. In 1950, he founded his own architectural firm in Sao Paulo, where he enjoyed success and rubbed shoulders with high society. A perfect Italian dandy, bon vivant, fond of company and parties, he became a socialite. A brilliant and inventive jack-of-all-trades, he could not limit himself to this first success. He then embarked on design, and at the same time created the "Fabrica de Moveis Giesse" and the "Fabrica de Tapete Santa Helena". He developed a very personal style that corresponded to him, with elegance in modernity as the key word. Handling both the most sensual curves and the angular straight lines freely inspired by the modernist Streamline movement, Scapinelli always finds a balance, knowing how to compensate for the massive appearance of a piece of furniture by the softness he brings to the finishes. Everything in his design demonstrates the artist's mastery and his great sensitivity to wood, particularly Brazilian Caviuna, which he made his favourite material. Attentive to the material, Scapinelli knows how to find the forms to highlight its texture, its colour, and to give it its fullest expression in order to touch the public's sensitivity. He particularly deserves the title that Sérgio Campos gave him in the monograph he dedicated to him, the "Designer of Emotion".
JORGE ZALSZUPIN
Born in Warsaw to Jewish parents, modernist designer Jorge Zalszupin left Poland for Bucharest at 18 to escape Nazi persecution. He graduated from Romania’s top architecture program and started his career in France. Inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s architectural innovations in rapidly modernizing Brazil, Zalszupin relocated to Rio de Janeiro in 1949. Within a decade, he had founded his own atelier with local architects, engineers, and craftsmen. Throughout the 1950s and ’60s, Zalszupin crafted furniture for Niemeyer’s utopian buildings in the new federal capital, Brasília. Zalszupin’s work with native wood and supply chains in Brazil helped grow the local manufacturing industry.
MARTIN EISLER & CARLO HAUNER
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler founded the influential Brazilian design studio Forma in the 1950s. Hauner and Eisler were among many European designers who moved to South America during this time when fresh materials and new processes were being introduced into the commercial market. This reversible armchair demonstrates the central tenets of their modernist design philosophy, characterized by thin tubular frames juxtaposed against a clean upholstered finish. The matching curves of the two components combine the minimalism of European modernism with the sensual forms of Brazilian design. The clever design allows the chair to be repositioned freely. Today this piece is among the most recognizable designs by Hauner and Eisler and a symbol of mid-century modernism.
OSCAR NIEMEYER
Oscar Niemeyer - the so-called "concrete poet" - is one of the most influential architects of the 20th and 21st century. He is responsible for the design of innovative civic buildings in Brazil, and especially its new capital city, Brasilia. A one-time assistant to the arch modernist, Le Corbusier, he moved beyond his mentor's "straight" and functional model to create modern structures defined by spectacular undulating lines. This signature innovation, coupled with his efforts to push the aesthetic limits of reinforced concrete, saw his name become synonymous with Brazil's post-colonial architectural identity. His reputation was further strengthened on the back of important works across the Americas, Europe, and Africa. During his long life, he received numerous awards and accolades, with the most prestigious, the Pritzker Prize (in 1988), validating his status as one of the world's most influential architects.
MICHEL ARNOULT
Michel Arnoult was born in Paris and adopted Brazilian. He was recognized as one of the fathers of the Ready-To-Assemble furniture (RTA) and the flat-packaging. Arriving in Brazil early in the 50s, Arnoult made friends with the modern architect Oscar Niemeyer and the painter Cândido Portinari. Michel Arnoult always ardently defended the democratization of design at the expense of any creative vanity. In this regard, he said "That’s true, I make the same thing for 30 years, with this same passion for wood and well-made work. This trend for innovation does not interest me. Besides, furniture did not changed. Since Toutankhamon the chair as "a project" is the same".
WILLY GUHL
WILLY GUHL Decades prior to the mass popularity of neo-industrial cement floors and furniture taking shape, there was Willy Guhl. The Swiss creative is considered one of the first “industrial” designers in his home country. He pioneered a rugged, organic style of modern furniture and decor — stylish planters, shapely seating and lots more — that remains widely coveted by many today. Guhl was born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein and worked as a carpenter before beginning studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts (known today as the Zurich University of the Arts), where he would go on to teach for nearly 40 years. Guhl’s affiliation with the Swiss “neo-functional” movement centered on the idea of simplifying design without sacrificing form. According to Guhl, his mission was “achieving the most with the minimum of effort.”
PERCIVAL LAFER
Percival Lafer is a leading Brazilian furniture designer known for his mid-century modern pieces. Lafer trained as an architect, but when he inherited his father’s furniture store, he pivoted to a new creative practice. Lafer aimed to make stylish furniture accessible to the middle classes, creating mass-produced and affordable designs. His furniture is sold in the U.S. and Europe, though he is best known in Brazil, particularly for his covetable armchairs and sofas. Lafer’s signature notes are solid hardwood frames and sumptuous leather upholstery made to be highly functional as well as luxurious. Though relatively unsung abroad, interest in Lafer’s work is growing.
ZANINE CALDAS
Zanine Caldas was a Brazilian architect and designer known for his innovative use of natural materials and sustainable building techniques. Born in Belmonte, Bahia, Brazil in 1919, Caldas began his career as a self-taught designer and builder. He gained recognition for his work in the 1950s and 1960s when he started experimenting with using locally sourced materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone to create unique, environmentally friendly structures. Caldas's designs often incorporated traditional Brazilian architectural elements and techniques, blending them with modernist principles. He believed in the importance of preserving the natural environment and sought to create buildings that harmonized with their surroundings.
LICEU DE ARTES O OFICIOS
Zanine Caldas was a Brazilian architect and designer known for his innovative use of natural materials and sustainable building techniques. Born in Belmonte, Bahia, Brazil in 1919, Caldas began his career as a self-taught designer and builder. He gained recognition for his work in the 1950s and 1960s when he started experimenting with using locally sourced materials such as wood, bamboo, and stone to create unique, environmentally friendly structures. Caldas's designs often incorporated traditional Brazilian architectural elements and techniques, blending them with modernist principles. He believed in the importance of preserving the natural environment and sought to create buildings that harmonized with their surroundings.
FORMA
In the production of modern furniture in the 1960s, it is also worth highlighting the contribution of designers Carlo (1927-1996) and Ernesto Hauner (1931 - 2002). The Hauner brothers participated in decisive moments in the history of modern Brazilian furniture. In 1949, they founded Moveis Artesanal, a medium-sized company, which produced furniture designed by Carlo Hauner, still very close to European trends and sold directly from the factory. In 1952, Móveis Artesanal joined Knoll International and changed its name to Forma, opening its first store in Barao de Itapetininga. Forma represented a moment of renewal in the Brazilian market, with the introduction of the renowned Bauhaus design reference.
NOVO RUMO
Francesco Scapinelli, architect and ceramist, after working for years with his older brother and already renowned modern furniture designer in Brazil, Giuseppe Scapinelli, founded Novo Rumo, in the Lapa neighborhood in Sao Paulo. He aimed to produce furniture on an industrial scale and did so masterfully for many years at the helm of Novo Rumo. High quality furniture, with beautiful design and perfect choices of raw materials, such as Bahia rosewood, both in its solid form and in the leaves used in larger pieces such as dining tables and shelves. It is not uncommon nowadays to find someone who attributes some pieces designed and produced by Novo Rumo to Jorge Zalszupin. This may be due to the fact that former employees of L'atelier de Zalszupin were collaborators of Novo Rumo. After several years at the helm of Novo Rumo, Francesco "Checco" Scapinelli returns to his old passion and successfully resumes, in Brazil and abroad, the design and production of artistic ceramics with Della Robbia, his new factory. In 1990, Checco decided to return to Italy and continue his activity as a ceramist and did so until his death in 2014.
BRUNO CAMAROTTI
Influenced by art since childhood, Bruno is an architect by training and a carpenter by passion. Born and raised in Ceará, he has created roots wherever he has been. Whether in Fortaleza, his hometown or in Alta Floresta or Juazeiro do Norte, Bruno has worked on projects of various scales, contributing to the architecture of the cities he has been in. After years of reaping the rewards of his work, Bruno decided to start anew and plant a dormant seed: artisanal carpentry. With the support of his wife and two children, he moved to São Paulo and began exploring every detail of the concrete jungle. Determined, he observed and absorbed everything he could on the subject until he met Julia Krantz at the MADE fair. Julia introduced Bruno to traditional carpentry techniques and her great influence: Morito Ebine. Trained in carpentry in Japan and recognized as one of the top 25 carpenters in the world, Morito was Bruno's main mentor. Zero point three millimeters. That is the margin of tolerance learned and applied by Bruno in his products. After much learning and doing, today Bruno is a teacher at Oficinalab and founded Camarotti Madeira & Design.
CAMPANA BROTHERS
The Campana Brothers were among Brazil’s foremost contemporary furniture designers. Inspired by their country’s vernacular culture, Humberto and Fernando Campana combined everyday objects in unexpected ways to make their singular design. Their pieces frequently refer to Brazilian social and cultural traditions and entities. Campana pieces are included in the permanent collections of The MoMa in New York; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; Musée Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris; the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein and the Museum of Modern Art, Sao Paulo. They received numerous honors, including being named Designer of the Year both at Design Miami in 2008, and by Maison & Object in Paris in 2012.
HUGO FRANCA & PAULO ALVES
Designers Hugo França and Paulo Alves share a passion for wood, leading them to collaborate on "Project 2: Paulo Alves + Hugo França." This partnership aims to create unique pieces that combine innovative forms with sustainable practices. Hugo França focuses on utilizing forest residues and discarded materials, transforming them into meaningful pieces that reveal the essence and potential of wood. Meanwhile, Paulo Alves, influenced by his background in architecture and his experiences with Lina Bo Bardi, embraces sustainability by using sustainably sourced wood and creating pieces with clean, balanced designs. Together, they merge their expertise to bring wood back into human use in a harmonious and sustainable manner, incorporating the organic forms and geometry of wood into their designs.
JAY BOGGO
JAY BOGGO (b. 1979) Stylist and visual artist born in Joinville, Jay started his career as a self-taught artist. With more than 20 years of experience at the forefront of the textile industry and as a connoisseur of raw materials, he founded J.BOGGO + and today works at the head of the brand, in addition to taking over the creative direction. All of his experience and personal transformation led him to give lectures at schools universities, and research and creation centers. He is an artist by profession through his works in paintings as well as the head of the clothing and lifestyle brand J.BOGGO +. In addition to being a designer for the brand, he paints pictures and is recognized at fairs and exhibitions in Brazil and abroad.
LEBROCK STUDIO
Lebrock Studio was planned to allow integration and interaction with nature, serving as a stronghold for Brock’s inspiration. The projects come to life in their own studio, which prioritizes traditional and artisan work. Lebrock’s Studio also maintains a reforestation area, with more than two hundred thousand meters sq, where it cultivates a tree nursery and conservation of native species, such as Guajuvira, Louro, Cabreuva, Canela, Angico, Araucaria, and many others that are exclusive to South Brazil. Brock’s works are inspired by nature, so nothing better than work surrounded by it. The innovative design and use of exceptional, exotic woods guide his works creations, focusing on the furniture segment. Quality, beauty, and perception are essential requirements in his works, in addition to his commitment to sustainability, he has a determination in only creating with reused materials, seeking new possibilities for daily life, and most importantly to minimize the impact of the environment.
LUCIANA DUQUE
Luciana was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her design path went through many directions. For six years she studied art, photography, and painting history, among others, at the EAV - Parque Laje, Rio de Janeiro, and specialized in furniture design at the Instituto Europeo di Design in Rio de Janeiro (IED-Rio). After more than eight years as art director of a traditional carioca furniture brand, she founded her studio, Studio OBJ, in 2016. OBJ is now where she dedicates her time to developing and manufacturing products. Luciana's trajectory and experience gave her repertoire to launch a furniture collection with a consistent purpose, based on the idea of upcycling - a term used to describe the reuse of objects and materials in the creation of new products, thus promoting the improvement of its utility and quality.
LUCAS CARAMES
Studio Lucas Caramés Design Autoral is a Brazilian design brand of furniture and object that exalts its roots, from a minimalist and contemporary perspective, reinterpreting the history of Brazilian modernist furniture. The aim is to craft a design imbued with meaning and narrative, employing individual expression to strengthen collective bonds, enriching people's everyday experiences by capturing the essence through a contemplative lens. Lucas holds a degree in Architecture and Urbanism from the Catholic University of Brasilia - UCB, and the International Prize SIT Furniture Design Award. In his own studio, he develops authorial projects and collaborates with companies in the furniture sector with national and international reach.
PAULO ALVES
His childhood in the countryside and the legacy of Lina Bo Bardi, the foundations of artisanal carpentry and inspiration from concrete art are mixed in Paulo Alves' work. The result is a legitimate expression of Brazilian design. Seen in perspective, the furniture designed by Paulo over 20 years of work reveals a creative logic in which wood – and its natural and symbolic characteristics – is the protagonist. Always with surprising results, his mastery in working with wood harks back to the legacy of the masters of modern Brazilian furniture. Paulo graduated as an architect at USP-São Carlos. Before working as a designer, he worked at Lina Bo Bardi's office and also at the Bardi Institute, being part of the first research team to inventory the architect's archives, to produce the book and exhibition about the Italian master shortly after her death in the decade 1990. In addition to furniture design and special carpentry projects, this also translates into architectural projects developed by him in parallel.
PEDRO GALASO
Pedro is a graduate in architecture and urbanism from UNESA and OXFORD-UK with a postgraduate degree in Furniture Design and Ephemeral Architecture from IED/RIO. He also holds postgraduate degrees in Fine Arts under British Master Charles Watson from EAV and in Sculptural Arts under Master Fabiana Éboli from EAV. Currently, Pedro works as a furniture designer, ceramicist in 3D plastic arts, curator of contemporary furniture, and coordinator of the furniture design course at IED-Rio. Galaso has exhibited in Miami 2017, New York 2022, Milan, and Miami 2023. He has won over 15 awards, including the Museum of the Brazilian House - BR, A' Design Award - IT, and the Best Design Award in the sustainability category - FL.
PEDRO LUNA
Pedro Luna, born in São José dos Campos in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil, is an architect (UNESP), designer and woodworker. Acquired design experience at the renowned São Paulo studios Superlimão Studio and Atelier Carlos Motta. Learned the principles of the 100% manual woodworking with Morito Ebine in several courses promoted by the master carpenter. Created MOLU in 2022, having its showroom in Metropolis Gallery in downtown São Paulo, with manual production of Brazilian contemporary furniture and objects. From the mixture of manual and traditional execution techniques with automated and modern ones, MOLU proposes the investigation of popular objects, such as tools. Creating pieces that tell, through their forms, stories of Brazilian daily life.