While Covid-19 continues to have an impact on businesses and trade fairs all around the world, the organisers of Maison&Objet are optimistic the trade fair will go ahead as planned in September 2020.
For each fair, and there are two a year, Maison&Objet selects a designer of the year who will take over a certain section of the fair and ‘transform’ it. For September 2020, Maison&Objet has chosen Paris-based architect, Franklin Azzi.
Azzi founded his own agency in 2006, which now employs 50 staff and is located in a former warehouse at the heart of Paris’ 2nd arrondissement. He considers himself to be an architect-technician and professes to not having a signature style.
“For me each project is totally different,” he says. He also firmly believes that a beautiful building is not simply an aesthetically pleasing one. “It’s one that brings happiness to those who use it.”
At Maison&Objet this September, Azzi will share his expertise on workspaces throughout the ages via a 300 square metre temporary exhibition.
“I don’t see how we can imagine the future without analysing the past,” he explains. He will present his vision in a scenic, immersive presentation that will largely consist of images and films.
The space itself will be largely mounted using structural elements recycled from previous editions of the fair.
“I don’t want our installation to simply end up lying in boxes afterwards.”
An essential element in his own headquarters is the presence of contemporary art and he regularly supports artists in the creation of their works. He also organises one to two exhibitions a year in his office to promote emerging and local artists.
“For me it’s important to support them. They have freedom to interpret our society and offer a vision that is both fresh and modern.”
Maison&Objet is held from 4 to 8 September 2020 in Paris.
