Brazilian furniture with a modernist soul
In 2013, Gustavo Bittencourt established his atelier in Petrópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, breathing new life into a long-disused woodworking space. He began alone, designing and crafting each piece by hand. In time, the workshop grew into a close-knit team of 20 professionals. "They care deeply about the quality of the work, the details like joinery and finishing, and about the people they work alongside,” explains Gustavo.
The studio’s design language draws on modernist ideas of proportion, structure and a dialogue with materials. “We think a lot about weight and counterweight,” Gustavo says. “How wood interacts with metal, upholstery or straw, and how to create contrast between heavier and lighter forms. That sense of equilibrium drives much of what we do.” From hand sketches to technical drawings, the process remains hands-on and iterative. Underpinning it all is a commitment to local resources and lasting design. “Our ethos is about permanence, longevity, and making the best use of each material," he concludes.
Gustavo Bittencourt
