Interview about Andorinha Chair, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
The Andorinha embodies precision engineering and refined aesthetics. Designed for versatility and comfort, it utilizes advanced plywood molding techniques to create a seamless, lightweight structure. Its innovative backrest cut enables invisible fixation, producing a floating visual effect while ensuring durability and ergonomic support. By integrating efficiency, elegance, and Brazilian design sensibility, Andorinha delivers a sophisticated and adaptable seating solution for various spaces.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe concept of the floating backrest emerged from two driving forces: aesthetic lightness and structural ingenuity. From the outset, the design aimed to evoke the weightlessness of a swallow in flight, reflecting the name “Andorinha” (swallow in Portuguese). To translate this into form, it was necessary to challenge conventional plywood molding approaches.During early prototyping, it became clear that typical attachment methods for plywood backrests — brackets, visible screws, or thick joinery — disrupted the visual purity and interrupted the poetic concept. Therefore, the team explored:Hidden integration techniques, embedding steel plates within the molded plywood itself, allowing the backrest to be cantilevered from a minimal support structure without visible fixings.Advanced curvature strategies in the plywood mold design, introducing multidirectional curves. This not only ensured ergonomic fit and back comfort but also gave the piece inherent structural stiffness, enabling the backrest to remain thin and elegant without compromising strength.Material-structure synergy: by treating the plywood not merely as a surface material but as a monocoque structure – where the shape itself carries the loads – we reduced the need for secondary reinforcement. This is similar to aerospace design philosophy, and it was pivotal to achieving the floating effect.Ultimately, the seamless integration between aesthetics and structure arose from a co-evolution of concept and technique. Each iteration of the prototype refined both the visual delicacy and the hidden engineering. The result is a chair that appears impossibly light, with a backrest that seems to float off the seat, while remaining robust enough for daily use in both residential and contract environments.
The name Andorinha (Portuguese for swallow) was not just a poetic inspiration; it became a conceptual and emotional compass guiding every design and engineering decision.Observing the flight of swallows – agile, light, yet incredibly efficient – sparked the desire to create a chair that embodied this sense of aerodynamic lightness, as if it were ready to take off. This shaped two main aspects:Fluid and delicate aestheticsThe chair’s lines were designed to echo the smooth motion of a swallow’s wings and tail, with continuous curves and no heavy volumes. Every transition is intentional, conveying a visual lightness that makes the chair appear to float in space.Engineering grounded in structural efficiencyJust as swallows have hollow bones to reduce weight without losing strength, the chair’s engineering applied similar principles:The use of molded plywood with multidirectional curves provides structural rigidity while allowing for thin, elegant surfaces.The integration of hidden fixings and minimal contact points enables the backrest to float securely without visible heavy supports.The metal frame was designed as a lightweight skeleton, carrying loads efficiently while preserving the aesthetic of weightlessness.Beyond aesthetics and engineering, the swallow also symbolizes hope. The chair was designed during a historically difficult time for Rio Grande do Sul, when a devastating flood impacted over 80% of the state. In Portuguese maritime tradition, swallows were tattooed on sailors as symbols of hope and the certainty of returning home. This meaning became essential to the project, carrying a message of resilience and renewal, just as the state was seeking to rebuild and rise again.In essence, the swallow’s influence went beyond its name and form; it became a project methodology and a symbol of hope, where every decision was filtered through the question: “Does this align with the lightness, efficiency, beauty, and resilience of a swallow in flight?” This approach made it possible to create a chair that is visually and physically lightweight, yet deeply rooted in meaning and strong enough for everyday use in both residential and contract settings.
One of the main unexpected challenges we faced was achieving structural integrity without compromising the thin, elegant curvature that defines the Andorinha Chair. Initially, we experimented with cold molding techniques, embedding the metal insert directly into the plywood layers. However, this approach resulted in a backrest that lacked the necessary strength for extended use – it cracked under load due to insufficient bonding and internal tension distribution.To resolve this, we transitioned to a heated two-stage molding process. First, we molded the front part of the plywood, then embedded the structural metal insert between this and the posterior plywood layer before the final pressing stage. This method required precise alignment and temperature control to ensure the plywood adhered properly without gaps or deformation.Overcoming this obstacle fundamentally influenced the final design by deepening the seat-back curvature, as we realized that a more pronounced curve not only enhanced ergonomics but also redistributed forces more evenly along the embedded structure. This process ultimately reinforced the design concept of the Andorinha as a piece that combines lightness with hidden structural strength, mirroring the swallow’s ability to appear delicate while being remarkably resilient.
The 2024 floods in Rio Grande do Sul had a profound impact on my design thinking. During that time, the swallow (andorinha) became a personal and collective symbol of hope and resilience. In the midst of devastation, seeing swallows return as the waters receded reminded us that life continues – they adapt, rebuild, and carry their nests to safer grounds.This experience inspired the core narrative of the Andorinha Chair. I wanted the piece to embody not just visual lightness, but also the idea of adaptability underpinned by hidden strength. Technologically, this led us to develop the complex two-stage molding process that embeds a structural metal insert within the plywood. Culturally, it grounded the design in a story that resonates deeply with our context: finding ways to endure and evolve without losing grace.In that sense, the chair became more than a functional object. It is a manifestation of Brazilian resilience and ingenuity, merging artisanal sensitivity with structural innovation to create something that feels both delicate and unbreakable – much like the swallow flying above turbulent waters.
The survey was instrumental in aligning the Andorinha Chair with real user expectations and desires. One of the strongest insights was that users sought a feeling of subtle embrace without visual heaviness. They wanted to feel supported, yet free. This led us to refine the backrest curvature to gently conform to the lumbar region, providing ergonomic support that feels almost invisible, like the wings of a swallow embracing without restricting.Visually, respondents were drawn to slimmer profiles with mid-century influences, describing thin structures as sophisticated and timeless. This validated our direction of keeping the frame slender, accentuating the feeling of the seat floating in space, while ensuring it retained structural solidity through hidden reinforcements within the plywood.Another key takeaway was their association of wood with warmth and authenticity, but paired with clean, minimal metal details to avoid a purely rustic feel. This guided our material and finish selection, merging natural textures with precise industrial elements to create a piece that feels both welcoming and contemporary.In essence, the survey grounded our design in its human context. It transformed abstract ergonomic principles into a felt, embodied comfort, and aesthetic intentions into a visual language of lightness, resilience, and understated elegance – all core to the Andorinha’s concept as a symbol of hope and adaptability.
The development of the Andorinha Chair integrated both AI-driven form exploration and traditional hand-drawn sketches to achieve its distinctive floating aesthetic.Using traditional sketching allowed me to intuitively capture the essence of the swallow – its lightness, movement, and sense of suspension in the air – directly from my hand and mind onto paper, preserving the emotional and poetic qualities of the concept. This analog approach grounded the design in a strong conceptual narrative, creating a direct connection between the inspiration and the physical form.At the same time, employing AI tools for form exploration expanded the possibilities beyond my initial sketches. By inputting sketches and conceptual prompts into AI models, I could generate multiple interpretations, material combinations, and structural solutions rapidly. This digital process acted as a powerful brainstorming partner, suggesting novel curves, transitions, and structural flows that might not have emerged through sketching alone.The combination of these two approaches – the subjective intuition of the hand sketch with the expansive generative power of AI – resulted in a design that appears to float effortlessly. The analog process preserved the narrative integrity, while the digital process refined the ergonomics, proportions, and innovative structural possibilities, ensuring that the final chair not only conveyed a floating aesthetic but was also technically and visually resolved.
The CNC-bent steel and laser-welded joints are fundamental to achieving the balance of lightness and resilience in the Andorinha Chair.CNC-bent steel allows for precise, repeatable curves that give the structure its visual lightness. Each bend is calculated to minimize material usage while maintaining structural integrity, creating that delicate, floating aesthetic without compromising strength. The seamless curves also echo the organic inspiration of the swallow’s silhouette, reinforcing the conceptual lightness at a structural level.Laser-welded joints, on the other hand, ensure minimal and highly controlled heat input, resulting in cleaner welds with less distortion of the steel. This precision enhances durability and prevents weak points that traditional welding could introduce. Visually, it supports the design intent by keeping connections discreet and refined, almost invisible, so the piece appears seamless and airy.Together, these technical elements embody my vision of creating furniture that is:Elegant yet robust – appearing delicate while withstanding daily use.Technologically advanced – leveraging cutting-edge manufacturing to express a poetic form.Conceptually integrated – where engineering precision and design narrative converge to create an object that transcends mere function.If you would like, I can formulate a version of this answer tailored for your upcoming design interviews or brand storytelling materials.
The Andorinha Chair’s construction method and material choices were guided by a commitment to environmental responsibility without compromising production efficiency or design quality.Firstly, the innovative plywood molding technique reduces material waste by optimizing cuts and minimizing offcuts during production. By developing a two-stage molding process for the backrest, we achieved complex ergonomic forms using thin plywood layers, reducing overall wood consumption compared to traditional thick backrest structures.Secondly, the use of CNC-bent steel ensures highly precise material usage. Each steel rod is cut and bent with minimal wastage, and the precision reduces the need for reworks, saving energy and resources in production.Material selection also reflects this commitment:The plywood is sourced from responsibly managed forests, certified to ensure that its extraction does not contribute to deforestation.Steel, as a material, is infinitely recyclable without loss of structural integrity, ensuring the chair’s components can re-enter the material cycle at end of life.Furthermore, the design itself is engineered for longevity. By focusing on durability and timeless aesthetics, the Andorinha Chair avoids the environmental burden of disposable or trend-based furniture, embodying a philosophy of products that are built to last across generations.Finally, production efficiency is maintained through:Modular assembly, reducing production time and simplifying repairs or replacements if necessary.Local manufacturing partnerships, minimizing transportation emissions and supporting regional economies.In essence, the Andorinha Chair demonstrates how sustainability, technological innovation, and refined design can coexist – each decision intentionally aligned with a broader vision of design as a tool for positive environmental impact. Let me know if you want this reframed for your sustainability communication deck or upcoming award submissions this week.
The Andorinha Chair’s debut at Fuorisalone 2025 is more than the launch of a product; it’s an entry point into a broader conversation about lightness as both a structural and conceptual approach in furniture design.Influence on lightweight constructionI envision it setting a precedent for:Structural minimalism without fragility – demonstrating that through advanced techniques like CNC bending, laser welding, and optimized plywood molding, designers can achieve pieces that are visually light yet structurally robust.Material efficiency as design language – showing that reducing material doesn’t mean compromising comfort or ergonomics; rather, it can elevate both by stripping away the superfluous to reveal form and function in their purest synergy.Advancing Brazilian design innovationGlobally, the Andorinha Chair tells a uniquely Brazilian story:Rooted in cultural symbolism – the swallow (andorinha) as a metaphor for hope, journey, and adaptability resonates universally, yet is deeply tied to Brazilian maritime heritage and local narratives.Merging artisanal sensibility with high-tech precision – bridging the warmth and poetry inherent in Brazilian design with cutting-edge manufacturing, it reframes Brazil not only as a land of craft but also as a frontier of industrial design innovation.The broader visionIn debuting this piece at Fuorisalone, my goal is to:✔ Inspire designers to explore material lightness as a sustainability strategy.✔ Position Brazilian design as both conceptually rich and technologically advanced.✔ Reignite the global conversation around how cultural narratives, environmental responsibility, and production innovation can coalesce into objects that are deeply human yet globally relevant.If you’d like, I can distill this into a succinct keynote opening for your upcoming Milan presentation or into caption drafts for the Fuorisalone teaser posts this week.
Receiving the Silver A' Design Award for the Andorinha Chair has been deeply affirming, but more importantly, it has reshaped my approach to future projects in two core ways:1. Deepening the fusion of technical innovation with cultural storytellingThe recognition reinforced that design is most impactful when it is technically precise yet culturally resonant. For future projects, I feel inspired to:Push engineering boundaries further – exploring new fabrication techniques, advanced materials, and structural optimizations that expand what is possible in form, comfort, and sustainability.Embed narratives more intentionally – ensuring that each piece carries a story rooted in cultural context, scientific concepts, or human emotion, elevating it from object to symbol.2. Embracing design as global dialogueThe award showed me that Brazilian design, when executed with conceptual clarity and technical excellence, resonates internationally. This has shifted my mindset to:Design with a global lens – creating pieces that maintain local identity while addressing universal human experiences and design challenges.Integrate multidisciplinary thinking – merging architecture, engineering, material science, and storytelling into seamless creations that inspire both industry peers and end users.In essenceThe Andorinha Chair’s success has instilled a renewed commitment to creating objects that stand at the intersection of innovation and meaning – pieces that are not only beautiful and functional but also provoke reflection, carry narratives forward, and contribute to the evolving landscape of design.If helpful, I can translate these reflections into a manifesto statement for your upcoming collection presentation or your studio’s brand strategy revisions this month.
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