Brazilian designer transforms discarded objects into functional lamps and furniture that tell stories of material history

Rio de Janeiro-born Caio Superchi, who discovered woodworking at the age of 22, has developed a product line that transforms industrial objects and demolition materials into functional design pieces. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, the artist and craftsman has exhibited his work at shows throughout Latin America and Europe.

Superchi’s working philosophy is grounded in the concept “nothing is created from nothing”. For him, each piece of wood carries a history and has the potential to become something entirely new. His work is an interpretation of the meaning of transformation, which goes beyond simple recycling out of ecological necessity – it is about creating a visual and functional narrative that celebrates the metamorphosis of materials.

The artist works primarily with fine woods from demolition sourced from historic early 20th-century buildings in Rio de Janeiro and Portugal. These woods, such as peroba-de-campos and other solid high-quality species, already possess physical memory with marks of time, natural patina and unique textures, as well as superior resistance from having undergone natural drying processes over decades.

The Superchi Studio portfolio includes seven main pieces, all created from the reuse of materials with history. The collection ranges from lamps to furniture, with prices and availability upon request.

Among the highlights is Rover, a desk made from an old Land Rover door combined with solid mahogany. Each piece is unique and reflects the concept of upcycling – transforming discarded materials into products of greater value.

Rover

The Vitrum lamp utilises tempered glass electrical insulators from the 20th century, originally used on power poles. The object combines glass, polished brass and a solid French oak base, with a leather finish. The insulator’s beautiful shape is not accidental, but functional, as it was designed to withstand high-voltage cables.

Benzina is based on the iconic fuel can mass-produced during the Second World War. The numbered and signed piece has adjustable height and lighting angle and is manufactured manually with recycled wood. From fuel to electricity, Benzina symbolises the transformations that shape the world.

Benzina

The Volare floor lamp incorporates a ruler and counterweight from a bronze industrial scale from the 1930s, produced in Brazil. The original mechanism remains functional, altering the balance between light and shadow. Balance is the identity, form and function of this piece of clean, light and bold design.

Volare

Miglia, created in partnership with Dimitrih Correa, is a multifunctional piece inspired by rally headlamps. Made with industrial metal tubes and solid wood, it serves as a lamp, coat rack and storage system, with three hidden spaces in the base and magnetised lids.

The Viga lamp repurposes demolition beams from the early 20th century. Its trapezoidal metal dome floats above a wooden base with embedded magnets, allowing vertical adjustment for direct or indirect light. The piece emerged from observing leftover beams discarded in the workshop where Superchi worked.

Freno adapts a motorcycle steel brake to a lamp. The challenge was to rethink something that changed an entire industry and transform it into a functional design piece. The mechanism maintains its original function as a stop for the lamp’s magnetic wooden clamp, which rotates 360 degrees, using design to pay homage to function.

The line also includes Ventus, manufactured in stainless steel and carbonised beech using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique. Inspired by air intakes from classic machinery, the piece can be used in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Superchi attributes his father’s influence to his way of thinking about design. “Growing up, I was influenced to think about the function of objects and to see beyond that, to see what other things they could become”, states the artist. This transformative vision is what allows demolition beams to become sophisticated lamps or industrial brakes to inspire lighting pieces.

The creation process is entirely manual. For Superchi, using repurposed materials is not merely an aesthetic trend, but an ethical position. It is his way of reducing waste, valuing resources that would be discarded, creating durable and timeless objects, and connecting past and present through design.

Superchi Studio was founded as a way to unite what the artist learnt with what he imagined. After moving to Lisbon, Superchi continued developing his work, where art, sustainability and functionality meet harmoniously, transforming what would be discarded into objects of desire with soul and purpose.

Instagram: @superchi.studio