Pedro (Paulo Santoro) Franco
Versatile acts developing from industrial to conceptual and limited pieces. In both pathways seeks to bring his Brazilian roots as inspiration for his creations!
His first piece, ORBITAL, was developed in 2000; and after winning the national design contest “Brasil faz Design”, exhibited in the Milan Fair (as Manifestazione Fuora Salone) for the first time. The critic and curator Vanni Pasca (who inserted the piece on the cover of his book: Scenari Del Giovane Design (01); and invited the designer to participate in the Abitare Il Tempo.
From there would begin a transit that remains until the current days between the axis Brazil | Italy. In 2002, again awarded with its new creation, SUPERNOVA armchair, returned to expose in the Milan Hall (Manifestazione Fuori Saloni). The piece was nominated that year as the main creation of the Brazilian Design by the Italian magazine Abitare. After numerous creations, the designer returns to the Milan Fair, as curator and idealizer of the “Mostra Brasil é Cosi”; in which exposed beyond their pieces the work of 32 young Brazilian designers.
In 2010, he was invited by the curator Marva Griffin to participate in the Salone Satellite, also participating in the two subsequent editions: the Salone Satellite 2011 and 2012. For there presented concept creations, in limited editions. Many of which would come in the coming years in industrial production, with more commercial versions. Antropófago sofa, Underconstruction armchair, Kaos armchair, Esqueleto chair and Jacaré Chair; were initially presented in the Salone Satellite.
In 2011, decides to found his own industry A Lot of Brasil; in which he has worked since then as Art Director; and works on the theme Brasilidade. It goes not only to create their own pieces but also to invitedesigners from around the world to create pieces to be MADE in BRAZIL.
As art director, Pedro Franco creates the term "BRASILIDADE INDUSTRIAL", that mean pieces created to be produced with Brazilian soul, but in an industrial way. This arises the Esqueleto chair, produced from developed technology and international patent reason: injection from waste Brazilian seeds. The piece is now the best-selling item of Brazilian industrial design; and is part of the collection of the Vitra Design Museum Schadeupot, due to its new material.