In 20 he was a member (and coordinator of the chemistry part) of the team that defined the Educational Standards for the Portugues basic education (7th to 9th grades) in Physics and Chemistry and the Programs and Educational Standards of Physics and Chemistry in the Portuguese Secondary Education (10th to 12th grades). Sérgio writes regularly popularization texts of chemistry in the blogs de Rerum Natura and Percursos Químicos, and published em 2014, in Gradiva, 'Jardins de Cristais: Química e Literatura'. The popularization of chemistry and outreach activities directed to secondary students and the general public is an important component of his activities, as part of an effort to attract more students to chemistry and for research in chemistry. His scientific interests are centered in the areas of theoretical and computational chemistry but extend to education in chemistry, history of chemistry and communication of science. in Theoretical Chemistry and is an assistant professor in the Chemistry Department of the University of Coimbra. The designer has worked closely with Oscar Niemeyer, as the latter's interior designer of choice for his buildings in Brasilia.Sérgio Rodrigues has a Ph.D. His work represents Brazil in many ways – relaxed, comfortable, sensual and humorous, yet sophisticated and contemporary.Īmongst his well-known works are pieces of furniture designed for the Brazilian Embassy in Rome, for the UNB (Brasília University) and the Teatro Nacional (National Theater in Brasília). Rodrigues later set out on his own designing furniture, hotels, residences and notorious pre-fabricated dwellings. In 1955, Rodrigues opened the more established company Oca, which he referred to as ‘a laboratory for Brazilian furniture and handicrafts’ and became one of the most critical components in the evolution of furniture in Brazil. The designer graduated from the Faculdade Nacional de Arquitetura in 1952, and shortly after founded one of the first modern furniture and art stores in Curitiba. The piece informed by Rodrigues’ playfulness and wit, readily became associated with a typically relaxed Brazilian attitude and lifestyle. His iconic Mole armchair was an immediate success, comprised of jacaranda and upholstered cushions supported by leather straps. He became notorious for his use of robust woods like jacaranda, peroba and imbuia to create quintessential icons. Indeed, he was responsible for establishing a new paradigm in design, setting himself apart with his very own language in his quest for a clearly recognizable Brazilian identity. He has been dubbed the father of Brazilian furniture.

Sergio Rodrigues was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1927 and passed in 2014.

Anamnesis by Carlos Sérgio Rodrigues