Sergio Rodrigues

Sergio Rodrigues (2014–1927) was a Brazilian architect and designer known for shaping a distinctly modern national identity in furniture. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he founded Oca in 1955 to create designs that reflected Brazil’s lifestyle and climate. Using wood, leather, and straw, Rodrigues developed a language of structural simplicity and relaxed comfort. His Mole armchair (1957) won first prize at the Concorso Internazionale del Mobile in 1961, becoming a symbol of Brazilian modernism. He also created furniture for Brasília’s new civic buildings, including the National Congress and Itamaraty Palace. Over five decades, Rodrigues remained devoted to craftsmanship and cultural authenticity, positioning himself among Brazil’s most influential modern designers.