Monsaraz Armchair

Designed by Carlos Aguiar for Boa Safra in 2013, the Monsaraz Armchair began in the designer’s workshop in Arouca, where the first prototype was built by hand.

Its starting point is the traditional Portuguese masseira: a simple wooden vessel assembled from solid planks.

From there, every dimension was determined by use. The angle of the backrest, the height of the seat and the position of the armrests were refined together to create a chair that feels natural to sit in for long periods.

Made from solid wood, the Monsaraz Armchair reflects a straightforward approach to design: honest materials, visible construction and a form that exists because every part has a purpose.

Some objects attract attention when they are new. Others become more meaningful the longer they are used.