CASACOR Piauí balcony highlights the state's design and craftsmanship

When visiting the Balcony designed by architect Rafael Rodrigues for CASACOR Piauí 2024 , visitors also end up learning a little about the history of art , design and crafts from Piauí. The environment features furniture and pieces by renowned designers and artists from the state, such as ceramics made by artisans from Poty Velho, the wing made by Fátima Campos, the miniature chairs made by Adolfo Pallandra and the ceramic plates from Serra da Capivara, as well as works by the architect himself. The starting point for the project was the preservation of the Brennand flooring that already existed in the house. Rafael's goal was to prepare a journey through time and, with this in mind, he designed a layout that could welcome and accommodate visitors. Other elements of the room's decoration that helped the architect to fulfill his purpose are the tapestry by Raphael Dias, a chair that belonged to Machado de Assis, the acrylics by Abraham Palatinik, the Clay Men by Selma Calheiras and furniture designed by illustrious names in Brazilian design : Arthur Casas, Sérgio Rodrigues, Guilherme Wentz, Irmãos Campana and Júnior Brandão. "It is a space that invites contemplation and the exchange of experiences, where time seems to slow down to make room for genuine coexistence and the warm welcome typical of Brazilians," says the architect. To evoke hospitality , the architect brings a framed silk linen, widely used in the past for embroidery. Dating back to 1917, the silk linen of the furniture belonged to Rafael's grandmother and makes the environment a transgenerational space , he says: " It is where the walls open up to welcome not only the proximity to nature, but also the intertwined narratives of past and present generations."

The pouf, with its MDF structural base and hand-made leather upholstery, was designed naturally following the natural curves of the material's edges, making the most of it to reduce waste and create a unique design for each piece. The furniture was created by Rafael together with his uncle, Mestre Xavier, and his two sons. "The intention was also to keep working with leather for new generations , since my father was also a craftsman and worked with leather," says the architect. Rafael's sister is also part of the production team for the space. Maria Pia da Glória created the decorative trees on the balcony , an Ipê and a Caneleiro made with thread, fabrics, crochet and different types of sewing — according to Rafael, with the aim of making the most of the leftover materials from other handicrafts done by the artist. The balcony also features a unique work of art created by the architect himself: the Serra da Capivara Deck , which is a tribute to the natural beauty of Piauí. A series of watercolors inspired by the cave paintings of Serra da Capivara were created, digitized and edited in the form of a deck, with the aim of valuing, promoting and expanding Piauí art inside and outside the state. " It is an invitation to value art, crafts and coexistence, which intertwine in a web of enriching and meaningful experiences", says Rafael.