Jorge Zalszupin Modular Shelving System for L’Atelier, Brazil, 1960s

When it comes to Zalszupin’s line of modular pieces (Modulados Compiníveis), simplicity and clarity are the main characteristics. Similarly to Danish production, treating the wood with special care was a core concept for Zalszupin. The versatile industrial design of these pieces offers a variety of typologies and combinations of modules that can be creatively combined to satisfy every need and interest. The pieces include drawers as well as diverse consoles with doors that feature locks.

These modular pieces made by L’Atelier follow the idea of Louis Sullivan: “form follows functions”, which is exemplified by this piece. The modules are made of the Brazilian wood ‘caviuna’ with a beautiful finish in wood-block collage. The six wooden legs support the units in an understated way, leaving the units to be the main visual pieces. The pieces feature “inverted” handles in pairs, that are distinctive of Zalszupin, and contribute to the elegant and modern look of this shelving system.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some modules have some small scratches and marks.

Dimensions:

98.42 in W x 15.95 in D x 104.33 in H

250 cm W x 40.5 cm D x 265 cm H

About the designer:

Jorge Zalszupin was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1922. He graduated as an architect in Romania in 1945. His importance for Brazilian design has been articulated in several publications so far. In addition to being the owner of the l’Atelier furniture factory of modern furniture, Zalszupin led a unique initiative: he coordinated a team of designers working for four different factories in the same business group, the Forsa Group.

Zalszupin immigrated to Brazil in 1949 and after a brief stay in the capital, he settled in São Paulo, a city that was then entering a cycle of great industrial growth and great cultural transformations. In the first half of the 1950s, he opened an architecture office, having José Gugliota as a partner. When he got tired of designing exclusive furniture manufactured for his clients’ homes, he decided to join a group of woodworkers and started to produce smaller series. This was how l’Atelier came into being, which eventually began to manufacture office furniture and went from a carpentry shop with handcrafted products to an industry with serial production. The first piece in this series was an armchair nicknamed ‘Danish’ by employees. It was first created in 1959.

In the early 1970s, because of serious financial problems, l’Atelier was sold to a business group. The sale was finalized with Zalszupin’s ‘pass’ as director of product research and development. Thus, Zalszupin expanded the team of designers – which already had Oswaldo Mellone – incorporating Paulo Jorge Pedreira and Lílian Weimberg permanently. The designers named the new group Forsa, and started to act as a sort of creative laboratory.

The technical possibilities offered by four distinct industrial plants were enhanced by the team of designers. In this way, Hevea, which produced plastic commodities, won a very sophisticated product line in design and established a brand: Eva, for household items, sold in supermarkets. L’Atelier itself started using injected plastic, producing partition panels for offices and licensing the polypropylene shell chair Hille designed by Robin Day. In addition to the products that went on the market, the design team of the Forsa group tested dozens of new ones ideas, which form an extraordinary collection to be researched and which, certainly, had a great influence on the performance base of Oswaldo Mellone and Paulo Jorge Pedreira.

The crisis of the 1980s profoundly affected the performance of the Forsa group companies. The design team dissolved at the end of the decade. Oswaldo Mellone and Paulo Jorge Pedreira opened their individual offices and Jorge Zalszupin dedicated himself exclusively to architecture, an activity he had never abandoned. From 2005, the company Etel Marcenaria started to produce several of the items designed by Zalszupin for l’Atelier – among them the ‘Danish’ armchair -, privileging the objects of the company’s artisanal phase. ~H.

Shipping:
This modular shelving system will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to make sure you will receive the work in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.