Collection by Heather Corcoran

Mapping the Pan-American Influences of Architect Arthur Casas

With a new monograph and exhibition, a Brazilian designer traces his roots.

Arthur Casas Made in America runs through March 27 at Espasso, 38 North Moore Street, New York.

"Brazil is everywhere," Casas says of the country's influence on his work. "It's very common in Brazil that you don't take things away, like small piece of marble, when cracked. They put everything together." The mosaic surface of his Tiles coffee table is an example of that approach to materials.
"Brazil is everywhere," Casas says of the country's influence on his work. "It's very common in Brazil that you don't take things away, like small piece of marble, when cracked. They put everything together." The mosaic surface of his Tiles coffee table is an example of that approach to materials.
The influence of Brazil on Casas's Copacabana sideboard is easy to see—its curves recall the pattern of the sidewalks at Rio's most famous beach.
The influence of Brazil on Casas's Copacabana sideboard is easy to see—its curves recall the pattern of the sidewalks at Rio's most famous beach.
The exhibition at Espasso also explores materials, craftsmanship, and aesthetics from the North America—minimalism in particular. Casas's angular Quilombo desk was made in the USA of American walnut and wrought steel.
The exhibition at Espasso also explores materials, craftsmanship, and aesthetics from the North America—minimalism in particular. Casas's angular Quilombo desk was made in the USA of American walnut and wrought steel.
The relationship between north and south isn't the only connection on display at the show. Architectural models give insight into the designer's building practice, echoing the lines of the furniture on display.
The relationship between north and south isn't the only connection on display at the show. Architectural models give insight into the designer's building practice, echoing the lines of the furniture on display.