Studio Campana was founded in 1984 in São Paulo, Brazil, by brothers Humberto and Fernando Campana, both born in Brotas - the former in 1953, the latter in 1961. Their work ranges from industrial design to art, architecture and landscape design with a focus on sustainability, the recovery of materials and Brazilian multiculturalism. Their unique idea of design is expressed in vibrant, intense colours, the use of poor materials and industrial waste, transfiguration, recycling, imagination and freedom. After opening a workshop in São Paulo to produce baskets and mirrors inlaid with shells, Humberto (a lawyer by training) founded the studio, getting his brother Fernando (who had just obtained his degree in architecture) on board in 1983 to manage the sudden increase in commissions. Their success, which came shortly thereafter, can be attributed to Italy, or rather to Marco Romanelli, who wrote an extensive article about them for Domus in 1990. This marked the start of an intense career that has seen the brothers creating objects, furniture and products for some of the world's most renowned brands like Artemide, Bernardaud, Bisazza, Fendi, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Venini and Vibram.
In 1991, they initiated their partnership with Edra, resulting in the creation of authentic design icons, including the Favela chair in wood slats (a project later developed in a double bed version); Vermelha, a steel armchair covered in cotton cord; the Boa, Aster Papposus and Cipria sofas; the Blue Velvet, Grinza and Corallo chairs; the Brasilia table; and the Cabana four-poster bed (with storage unit) made of raffia threads,.
Their fruitful collaboration with Alessi gave light to the Blow Up magazine racks, baskets, umbrella stands and mirrors characterised by the use of assembled steel strips. For Ghidini 1961, they created an elegant and precious brass and bronze collection of vases, lamps and candleholders.
The Campana brothers are responsible for numerous interior design projects and installations, including the Caffè Campana at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris; the Caffè at the Sao Paulo Opera House; the New Hotel in Athens; and Camper stores in Berlin, Barcelona, London, Florence, Zaragoza, New York and Sao Paulo. In 1998, their first exhibition - entitled "Project 66", shared with Ingo Maurer and curated by Paola Antonelli - was held at MoMa in New York. Their objects and prototypes are in the permanent collections of MoMA in New York, the Vitra Museum in Weil am Rhein, the Museum of Modern Art in São Paulo, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée Des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In 2009, they established the Istituto Campana in São Paulo, a foundation committed to social issues to promote the creation of limited edition products in collaboration with NGOs. The foundation activates workshops dedicated to people living in challenging conditions like the favelas.
