Maison&Objet has named its Designer of the Year as Lionel Jadot, whose installation at the 2024 edition will centre around hospitality – a move which comes as the show amps up its hotel focus.

The designer’s showcase – a creative vision of a hotel lobby – will draw inspiration from the event’s theme, Terra Cosmos, upon which he comments: “I grew up with science fiction, reading Dune and the Moebius comics. We’re just an insignificant speck of dust in the universe. But I believe in distant universes, parallel worlds and extraterrestrial life. This freedom takes me away from academicism and opens up a field of possibilities pointing resolutely towards the unknown.” 

As for his installation at Maison&Objet, he explains: “I’m looking to create a central pavilion that will illustrate my philosophy of hospitality. A whole series of artists will be involved, each using different techniques for processing recycled materials. The idea is not simply to appreciate the design, but the way in which it was produced.” 

“The experience and the storytelling are equally important points,” the designer continues. “There will be nary a catalogue in sight – everything will come directly from a designer’s workshop. For example, there will be a table with a beechwood base, upon which a mushroom top has been grown. This mycelium will be passed through a special kiln in order to kill any bacteria and make the material very hard. The bedroom and living room will be housed in a dome inspired by the Kogetsudai moon-viewing platform, a sand cone built centuries ago near Kyoto.” 

Commenting on his design philosophy, the creative says: “My sense of expression is not set in stone or in wood, and I don’t like to repeat myself. I strive to amaze myself, and to allow myself to slide down the slipperiest of slopes. When I’m working on a project with my colleagues, after a while, the thread we’re pulling often tends to become too obvious and tedious. That’s when I like to snap the thread and start again from scratch. It’s a very sinuous, organic process, and I don’t believe in just one way of thinking. I hate catalogues and conformity – I far prefer chaos and happy accidents.”

Alongside Jadot’s hotel-inspired installation, Maison&Objet will also be increasing its offer for those in the hospitality industry, introducing a range of brands relevant to hospitality professionals, as well as showcasing insight from the Accor Design Awards.