Fernando Mendes

b. 1965 Based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fernando Mendes is a Brazilian architect, designer and woodworker born in São Paulo.

Since 2002, Mendes has dedicated his practice to an exclusive line of furniture produced from his atelier in Vale das Videiras, in the mountains surrounding Rio de Janeiro, where hand tools and artisanal techniques sit at the heart of every piece. His process moves from sketch to object entirely by hand, combining the precision of a skilled carpenter with the vision of a designer.

Mendes holds degrees in both Industrial Design and Architecture, and his practice was shaped profoundly by a close working relationship with Sergio Rodrigues (his cousin and mentor). Together they spent seven years developing new woodworking systems, designing new pieces and re-editing Rodrigues' classic works. It was this formative apprenticeship that grounded his understanding of Brazilian furniture-making.

Beyond being inspired by people in his life, Mendes also draws inspiration from the elegance of automotive and aeronautical design, such as from the cockpits of vintage cars, the struts of old biplanes. Such references don’t always surface as literal design elements, but as an underlying interest in structural soundness, and translate quietly across the grain and joinery of his furniture.

His work embraces the natural textures, knots and imperfections of wood as expressive qualities rather than flaws to be corrected. Each piece is named after a friend, neighbour, or figure from his life, imbuing the collection with affection and intimacy.

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