With profound sadness, Pedrali bids farewell to Jorge Pensi, Argentine designer, architect, and musician, who passed away on 5 November in Barcelona.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1946, Jorge Pensi graduated in architecture before leaving Argentina in 1975 in search of new creative horizons. Settling in Barcelona, which later became his adopted home, he founded Jorge Pensi Design Studio in 1984 in the city's Gothic Quarter. The studio later moved to Barcelona's Olympic Village in 2007.
© Pedrali
Throughout his career, Pensi became one of the most influential figures in contemporary design, celebrated for his ability to blend aesthetics, functionality, and emotion in perfect balance. His work earned numerous accolades, including the Spanish National Design Prize in 1997, awarded by the Ministry of Industry and Energy for his outstanding professional achievements.
During his final visit to Buenos Aires, a significant honour was bestowed upon him: his iconic Toledo Chair was added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art of Buenos Aires, symbolising his enduring link to design, culture, and his homeland.
"If there is one thing that defines Jorge's work, it is timelessness," Pedrali noted. As Pensi himself once said: "When you design something, you have to forget the world you live in; you have to try to create an object that will last over time."
His design philosophy, a dialogue between poetry and realism, material and space, abstraction and emotion, sought to evoke the greatest emotion using the fewest resources. In his own words: "The outcome is not always predetermined; the best is yet to come."
A Creative Bond That Became Family
Pedrali's collaboration with Jorge Pensi began in 2007, marking the start of a profound professional and personal relationship. His creative process, characterised by open dialogue and experimentation, quickly transformed every project into a shared journey of discovery and innovation.
"Jorge was not only an exceptional designer," said Monica and Giuseppe Pedrali, CEOs of Pedrali. "He was a visionary companion, capable of creating a dialogue between design and emotion. His influence has left an indelible mark on both Pedrali's history and the wider world of contemporary design."
Together, Pedrali and Pensi created several iconic collections, including the Ypsilon tables and complements, Ara chairs, Plural modular seating, Temps and Polar task chairs, and most recently, the Diego side tables. Each project reflected his quest for elegance, balance, and enduring beauty.
As Jorge once beautifully expressed:
"What I truly love is to survive – and how can I survive? Through objects. My intention has always been to design timeless pieces." Through his designs, his values, and his creative spirit, Jorge Pensi will continue to live on, not only in Pedrali's collections, but in the hearts of those inspired by his artistry and humanity.
More information:
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