Environmental, Ethical, and Societal Challenges: The Positive Energies of Maison&Objet

Every session of Maison&Objet equips visitors with a toolkit designed to refine their practices, ignite thoughtful dialogue, and present tangible solutions. The event is a showcase, an interactive marketplace where you can see, touch, purchase, and explore the latest in sustainable innovation. To ensure your time is spent wisely in this quest for new ideas, here’s a practical guide to the must-see events, essential encounters, and fresh initiatives that define this edition.

DISCOVER

Lionel Jadot: The Visionary Designer of the Year

Kickstart your journey with Lionel Jadot, this year’s Designer of the Year. Jadot is more than a designer; he’s a trailblazer in the art of reimagining materials and objects. The mastermind behind the striking Mix Hotel in Brussels, Jadot will reveal his philosophy of hospitality in a bespoke pavilion. “A host of artists will contribute, each employing different techniques to transform recycled materials. Imagine a table, its base crafted from beechwood, with a mushroom-grown tabletop,” the Belgian designer, interior architect, and artist divulges. In Jadot, we find the embodiment of an era at the cusp of an ecological metamorphosis.

Future On Stage: The Unmissable Platform for Emerging Talent

Maison&Objet’s Future on Stage platform is a crucible for young enterprises pushing the boundaries of circular practices and innovation. This year, companies recycling fishing nets, plastic waste, and stretchable threads have been recognized, spotlighting their groundbreaking contributions in a dedicated space that serves as an incubator for tomorrow’s trailblazers.

Hall 2: A Hub of Upcycling Innovation

Step into Hall 2, where three stalwarts of the circular economy, now indispensable partners, are ready to surprise and inspire. The Sustain’Lab, a collaboration between Fab City Grand Paris, Emmaüs Défi, and RE’Up, has reimagined two rest areas using repurposed wood panels and materials from past fairs. Remarkably, over 42% of waste generated at the event is recycled, with 42 tons of materials reclaimed for upcycling. This innovative spirit also shines through the work of Résilientes by Emmaüs Alternatives, who will demonstrate the joyous possibilities of recovery in their intriguing space, Cosmic Nap, also nestled in Hall 2.

LEARN

Masterclass Sessions on The Talks

Lionel Jadot returns to delve deeper into the human aspects of his creative process. He’ll shed light on how collaborations, exchanges, and synergies are orchestrated to bring projects to life, particularly within Zaventem Ateliers, the creative community he founded. Also taking the stage, Camille Cousté and Grégoire Gérard, founders of Eco Impact, will discuss the urgent need to stay ahead in furniture design and environmental labeling, offering concrete strategies to achieve this.

Sustainable: A Curated Journey

For those seeking to deepen their knowledge, Nina Chardin’s guided Sustainable tours offer invaluable insights, particularly for specifiers. Chardin, the founder of the School of Sustainable Interior Design, aims to help architects embrace eco-design, particularly through innovative sourcing methods. A highlight of these tours is the Eco-Materials Corner, a new space in Hall 7 where eco-responsible material and coating manufacturers are showcased—a must-visit on this educational journey.

SHOP

The “Sustainable” pathway rigorous and ever-evolving, has become an essential guide for discerning visitors. Its charter is built around three core principles: sustainable sourcing, the “less is more” ethos (producing better with less), and respect for human beings and the environment. This framework underpins the meticulous selection process conducted by experts in the field, continually expanding with new brands and products. Among the latest additions are Polimair’s kit chairs made from recycled materials and the luxurious wall coverings by the English firm Dami and Em Design. Other noteworthy brands include Rivea for swimwear, Madoti for children’s furniture, Zenobie for stationery and creative objects, and Indigena for artisanal goods.
Beyond the official “selection,” the second-hand offerings from a dozen exhibitors in Hall 8 further enrich this specialized sourcing experience.

MOVE FORWARD

Women&Design by Maison&Objet: A Global Network for Women in Design

As Maison&Objet intensifies its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint—through waste recovery and reuse, energy conservation, reusable signage, and complimentary shuttles—Mélanie Leroy’s latest initiative strikes a more societal chord. Women&Design by Maison&Objet is a powerful network of influence and support designed to promote and facilitate connections among women who are driving innovation, redefining industry standards, and making significant impacts in the worlds of decoration, design, and lifestyle. This network is a timely response to the pressing challenges of today, championed by industry leaders like Émilie Viargues, CEO of Christofle, Caroline Petit-Mason, founder of Three Seven Paris, and interior architect Daphné Desjeux.

In this dynamic confluence of sustainability, innovation, and societal change, Maison&Objet 2024 is not just a fair—it’s a movement.