Jorge Zalszupin

Born in Poland, Jorge was Jewish and fled his country during World War II. He graduated in Architecture in Romania in 1945 and set out to start a new life, given the devastation caused by the war.

He went to France and in 1949 arrived in Brazil, a country where he could fully develop his poetic and modern architecture.

But in order for his work to be recognized and for clients to accept his bold ideas, he first had to design and build his own house.

Having become a naturalized Brazilian citizen, Zalszupin established himself in São Paulo and became an icon of national design and modernism with the L'atelier brand, created in 1959 and produced in series.

The first creation was an armchair nicknamed "Danish" by his employees, constructed of rosewood and upholstered, it has tapered legs and the design of its arms and front legs resembles the columns designed by Niemeyer for the Alvorada Palace.

Thus, L'atelier spread throughout Brazil, making its showrooms a benchmark of modernity.

In the 1960s and 1970s, in the city of Brasília, several public buildings were adorned with his works. Comfortable, timeless furniture made with fine materials.

In the early 1970s, facing serious financial problems, L'Atelier was sold to a business group. This sale included Zalszupin's transfer as director of product research and development. He thus expanded the design team.

In the 1980s, Zalszupin stopped working with furniture and returned to architecture.