Poltrona Vivi Armchair by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, circa 1962

The Poltrona Vivi, designed by Sergio Rodrigues around 1962, represents a mature phase in the designer’s exploration of Brazilian modernism, where structure, comfort, and material expression converge. Executed in solid wood, the chair is defined by its generous stance and controlled, architectural lines, softened through subtle curvature. Rodrigues’ work from this period reflects a deliberate departure from imported European models, instead grounding modernist principles in the cultural and material context of Brazil.

Rodrigues played a central role in shaping a distinctly Brazilian design language through his work with Oca and later independent practice, advocating for furniture that responded to local modes of living. His use of native hardwoods and emphasis on ergonomic ease drew from vernacular traditions, while maintaining a disciplined formal clarity. The Vivi armchair sits within this trajectory, demonstrating a synthesis of structural logic and sensorial presence. It remains a considered example of how mid-century Brazilian design negotiated identity, material, and modernity with lasting influence.