Aristeu Pires

Gazing out a small ovaline window, Aristeu Pires is stirred by the solitude he finds at 30,000 feet and climbing. Often that ’s somewhere over the Serra da Mantiqueira. The software executive cum furniture designer instinctively reaches for his sketchpad. Ah, inspiration.

His childhood played out against the backdrop of Oscar Niemeyer ’s modernist architecture in the capital city of Brasília. Decades later, Aristeu befriended Sérgio Rodr igues, “Father of Brazilian furniture design” whom Niemeyer chose for installations of the interiors of his civic buildings.

The years between were devoted to a globetrotting career as an executive and engineer with a multinational software firm. In time, countless hours of inflight sketching led the humble renaissance man to shed his very successful career for another calling. Just two years later, his talent was affirmed when he received the prestigious Museu da Casa Brasileira award for his iconic Gisele Lounge Chair. The previous year’s winner was none other than Sérgio Rodrigues, for the Diz Lounge Armchair.

Finding respite at home, Aristeu often lets the improvised notes and chords of his guitar strumming and piano-playing lift him. “ I am alone with my mind and the keyboard, with no room for any other thoughts, ” he says.

Inspiration indeed.