A student at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo (FAU-USP), he also studies aesthetics and philosophy of art. Invited by the Vapor 324 studio, author of the Tuju restaurant project, the NeuteChvaicer duo handcrafted the Água-Viva brass lamps, equipped with LEDs.

“We want each component of the product to be a strong and visible sculptural element,” summarizes Rafael Chvaicer. He and his partner, Ana Neute, explore architecture, object design, furniture, and lighting. The two established their partnership in 2010, driven by the desire to create functional objects. They transformed Ana’s grandmother’s guest house in São Paulo into a workshop and continue there to this day, giving shape to their ideas—some commissioned, such as the lamps developed for the Tuju restaurant. “We started with a strong desire to work hands-on, which is still important to us. However, we now work with service providers such as laser cutting, making it possible to use new materials and enable serial reproduction,” he says. Part of a new generation of architects committed to establishing their own brand, the duo cites the modern movement as a reference. “It is our closest tradition. Everything that can be done, even a subversion or betrayal, starts from there,” says Rafael.

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