Leo Capote

Furniture maker

Raw potential

Leo pushes the boundaries of innovation in his furniture design
Upcycling offers him a unique opportunity for creativity expression
At the age of 10, he crafted a lamp from disc brakes and car springs

Leo Capote is renowned for his sustainable and playful furniture designs. He specialises in upcycling objects with ingenuity, turning everyday objects into unexpected compositions, fit for gallery exhibitions. Born in São Paulo, Leo grew up amid tools in his grandfather's hardware store. Examples of his approach to his craft include transforming bicycles into sinks, forks into photo frames, or a shovel into a bench. His method includes overlays, joints, and fragmentations, exploring diverse material combinations. Leo has a degree in industrial design from Universidade Paulista, after which he interned with the Campana Brothers, gaining deep understanding into the design world.

Where

Interview

How does repurposing objects makes you feel?: The reuse of objects ends up being the soul of creation. This concept is ever-present, and I manage to be surprised by new transformations and uses. This fuels my creative mind.
What was your very first design?: At the age of 10, I crafted my first design piece. It was a lamp, made from discarded disc brakes and car springs.
What was a pivotal point in your path as a craftsman?: The making of the Spoon Chair paved the way for my career. I crafted it at Campana Studio when I was 20 years old. This chair gained significant attention in the market and media, which confirmed the commercial potential of my work.
Do you teach your craft to others?: I do not regularly teach workshops, but I have taught on the occasion of design fairs in São Paulo and in Dubai during the Design Days Fair in 2012.

Leo Capote is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2011