Guama Primary Function: Mpando Wopumira by Rafael Oliva is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award in Mapangidwe a Fenicha Competition Category.
ChitsuloFenicha· 2026
Guama Primary Function: Mpando Wopumira
by Rafael Oliva
Client: Labmobili
Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award Winner in Fenicha Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #177584The Design
About Guama Primary Function: Mpando Wopumira
Book Text: Mtolowu umaonetsa mpando wachifumu wamakono kudzera mu kapangidwe kake kosavuta, kamakono, kapadziko lonse komanso kosakayikitsa kuti ndi ka ku Brazil. Kakhalidwe kake kabata ka ma geometry kamasungitsa mawonekedwe a chinthucho ku tanthauzo lake lenileni, kulola kufunda ndi kupezeka kwa matabwa olimba kuti zitsogolere. Wopangidwa kuchokera ku matabwa otengedwa moyenera, umalinganiza kulondola kwa makampani ndi ntchito yamanja yofewa, pomwe cholowa ndi zinthu zimakumana. Mzere uliwonse ndi maonekedwe alionse amalemekeza zinthuzo, kupereka chokumana nacho chokhudza chomwe chimagwirizanitsa mzimu wa makolo ndi minimalism yamakono. Mtolowu umakondwerera mphamvu yaiwisi ya chilengedwe ndi kukhudza kwa luso la munthu.
The Recognition
About the Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award
Guama Primary Function: Mpando Wopumira ndi mmodzi mwa opambana a Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award, kuzindikirika kolemekezeka komwe kumaperekedwa kwa mapangidwe abwino omwe amakwaniritsa zofunika za akatswiri ndi za makampani zomwe zimayembekezeka kuchokera ku zolengedwa zopangidwa bwino. Opambana a Chitsulo amaonetsa luso lalikulu, ukatswiri wapamwamba, kumvetsetsa kwa akatswiri ndi mphamvu yolenga ya opanga awo. Guama Primary Function: Mpando Wopumira akuyembekezeka kukhala cholengedwa choyamikiridwa kwambiri, chosirira ndi chokondedwa chomwe ndi chothandiza ndi chatsopano. Mapangidwe opambana Mphoto ya Chitsulo ya A' Design Award awa amaphatikiza machitidwe abwino kwambiri a makampani ndipo ali ndi makhalidwe a ukadaulo oyenerera olumikizidwa ndi chidziwitso ndi luso. Guama Primary Function: Mpando Wopumira amalemekezedwa chifukwa cha kusamala kwake ndipo anapangidwa kuti apereke kukonza kwa moyo kumene kumathandiza kusandutsa dziko kukhala malo abwino.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The Guama Lounge Chair captures the strength and essence of wood in a minimalist, elegant, and timeless design.
Inspired by the natural wealth of Para, each piece is carved from sustainably managed solid wood by VEDAC, paying tribute to the harmonious connection between humans and the forest.
The purity of the lines and artisanal craftsmanship reveal not only the beauty of the material but also the skill of the local artisans. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Hieght: 100cm
Width: 75cm
Depth: 78cm - Tags
- armchair, lounge chair, brazil, pará, amazon, amazônia, sustainable wood
- Production Technology
- The Guama collection is produced in Para by VEDAC, using sustainably managed Amazonian wood. Combining advanced CNC technology with precise manual finishing, it demonstrates that the region unites innovation and craftsmanship. Each piece reflects technological excellence, respect for nature, and the refinement of contemporary Brazilian design.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part was balancing Amazonian identity with industrial viability. We faced the challenge of translating ancestral woodworking into a scalable production logic. Overcoming logistical hurdles required innovating in joinery and modularity. Internally, we had to respect traditional aesthetics while meeting rigid durability standards. This synthesis turned regional soul into a competitive, high-quality industrial product.
- Research
- We conducted exploratory research to bridge Amazonian craftsmanship with industrial scale. Using ethnographic tools and interviews with local artisans, we studied traditional woodworking. Results showed a gap between raw manual skill and market durability. Insights led to a modular assembly system that preserves aesthetic soul while optimizing logistics. This impacts the industry by proving sustainable regional design can be globally competitive, boosting local economies and design ethics.
- Inspiration
- The Guama Lounge Chair was inspired by the Amazonian landscapes of Para, where wood embodies both strength and serenity. The project seeks to express this essence through minimalist geometry and precise craftsmanship. Developed from research into local woodworking traditions and sustainable practices, it translates nature's raw vitality into refined, timeless design.
- Project Duration
- I designed the collection in January 2025 in Sao Paulo at LABMOBILI and it was manufactured in Sao Miguel do Guama by VEDAC in early February 2025. It was exhibited in the Fuori Salone in Milan in April 2025.
- Operation Flow
- The Guama Lounge Chair was designed for intuitive interaction and visual lightness. Each piece invites touch through its softened edges and balanced proportions. The solid wood structure ensures strength and durability, while its minimalist design enhances versatility in different spaces. The precise joinery and smooth finish elevate comfort, tactility, and timeless performance.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: VEDAC. Image #2: VEDAC. Image #3: VEDAC. Image #4: VEDAC. Image #5: VEDAC.
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