Ampulheta Hourglass Armchair

Ampulheta armchair by Maurício Coelho

2019, Brasile, Maurício Coelho

DESIGNER:  Maurício Coelho

PHOTO:  Maurício Coelho

YEAR:  2019

PRODUCTION: Brazil

The Colo Armchair, designed by Brazilian 3D artist and product designer Maurício Coelho, is inspired by the desire for a piece of furniture that reminds us of the comfort of a mother’s embrace. In search of a structure that reminds us of the act of being carried in the arms, in suspension, aligned with the goal of presenting an uncomplicated and harmonic design to the eyes. The entire body of the armchair is unique and continuous, which makes its conception and manufacturing highly challenging, but not impossible.

It is clear that Colo is an expression of simplicity and softness. It exudes a certain warmth through its shape and materials, inviting the user to be comforted. Besides this, the armchair also offers a practical storage solution through a shelf-life feature under the seat, which could be used for books, magazines, tablets, and so on.

The seams of the seat, backrest, and arms delimit and mark the armchair in a subtle, but not imperceptible way, contributing to the harmonious yet striking appearance of this piece.

As a purpose in my creation process, I always seek to use geometric shapes and seemingly obvious structures to demonstrate and touch everyone who may have the opportunity to contemplate what I create. With this piece it was no different.

The Ampulheta Armchair is a milestone in my creative process. Being my first piece developed as a furniture designer, this design tells a story of personal transition, in which I start my own path of traces, conceptions, forms and ideas. Thus, the name Hourglass (Ampulheta in portuguese) brings two main meanings and representations: first, it refers to the subtle design of the backrest, in a simple and direct visualization; second, invisible and subjective, to the moment of transition that this piece represents to me.

From the structural aspect, the base is supported on the backrest in a transitional and barely perceptible way, promoting an air of lightness to the piece, even generating a certain discomfort in the eye, as to the nature of its support. The “feet” are positioned in a triangular shape, whose geometric structure is characterized by firmness, robustness, and balance.

The back and the seat are ergonomically designed, in a way to “embrace” the user, as well as aesthetically, supporting the rest of the design. The entire piece is built with forms and elements that support each other harmonically, just like in a symphony, where each instrument is essential to the great work.

Maurício Coelho (1994) é natural de Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. Aos 16 anos mudou-se para Belo Horizonte, aonde estudou Arquitetura e Urbanismo pelo Instituto Metodista Izabela Hendrix. Em 2015 iniciou sua carreira como artista 3D e em 2018 teve seu primeiro contato com o design de móveis. No ano de 2023 lançou sua primeira coleção em parceria exclusiva com a Studyo 4, aonde hoje desenvolve produtos de alto padrão e alta qualidade construtiva. 

Maurício Coelho (1994) was born in Governador Valadares, Minas gerais. At 16 he moved to Belo Horizonte, where he studied Architecture and Urbanism at the Methodist Institute Izabela Hendrix. In 2015 he started his career as a 3D artist and in 2018 he had his first contact with furniture design. In 2023 he launched her first collection (Origem) in a exclusive partnership with Studyo 4, where today he develops high standard and high quality products.