CASACOR RJ 30 years later: check out testimonials from professionals

Anyone who attended the first edition of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro in 1991 will remember it well. The restaurant became one of the hottest spots of the time, with huge lines always at the door. The architect responsible for the space was the youngest of the event: Luiz Fernando Grabowsky, today a highly regarded veteran in the market. And a partner always present at the shows. The next one will be his 22nd. participation. " CASACOR already existed in São Paulo, but that was the first major exhibition in Rio. And it was a delight to do, everyone was super excited about that emblematic house. From a career point of view, it was very important to have done CASACOR , which became the biggest event in Latin America and boosted the careers of many people" says Nando. This year, he is designing the Piano Room. But 30 years ago, his restaurant became part of the event's history. The space, which was located at the exit of the visiting circuit, even had its own entrance, a clear influence of art deco and a certain Hollywood feel, which was even more evident with the photos of artists used on the bookshelf in the space that was subject to intervention by the architect. Another space that was a hit that year was the Living Room . Created by Chicô Gouvêa, who had already participated in the São Paulo editions of the show, the space was a tribute to the artist Frans Krajcberg. " CASACOR is really cool to do. I always had the idea of not being commercial. And I did what I wanted to do. In 1991, it was a tribute to Krajcberg, a great friend and artist that I always admired a lot. And this year, I'm going again. wear three of his pieces" says Chicô, giving a spoiler of what's coming in 2021.

Present at 16 editions of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro and a sought-after name in the market, Chicô has followed the changes in the house over these 30 years and especially celebrates the appreciation of Brazilian design during this period. "I think that today we give more value to Brazilian pieces. There has been a rediscovery of artists from the 1950s/60s. In the past, I used indigenous and African pieces and people criticized me because of prejudices that were nonsense, just a reflection of their lack of of knowledge. Today, artisanal and national things are highly sought after and valued" says the architect, who is designing a Lunch Room with Balcony for the next edition of CASACOR Rio de Janeiro. Lia Siqueira and Patricia Marinho were very young when they participated in CASACOR Rio de Janeiro in 1991. For the event, Lia created a small room already filled with the carpentry that characterizes all her work, which she called at the time the Small Study Room . A name that will return next time. edition, but in a very different way. Patricia had quite a challenge in that first CASACOR . A corridor! "It was really challenging to do, especially when it was being put together, because we had a lot of neighbors who kept passing by. But it was a lot of fun too. And I have friends from that time who I still hang out with today. It was a very timeless piece of work. It was a narrow hallway that I colored it with red shelves, primary colors and lots of artwork," recalls Patricia, who designed the space with Luiz Marinho. For the architect, who in the next edition decorates a terrace with a beautiful view of the garden, a good change in these 30 years was the exchange with the foreign market, which at that time simply did not exist. "Many great brands came here, invested in Brazil and this heated up our market. I think this opening is among the most positive things that happened in these 30 years. We also saw a consolidation of the wonderful Brazilian designers that we have. This is remarkable. Our design, which has always been of great quality, has gained visibility," he says.

CASACOR Rio de Janeiro Service

When? March 2 to April 25, 2021 Where? Brando Barbosa Institute (IBB) Lopes Quintas Street, 497. Botanical Garden *dates subject to change