lionel jadot exhibits his vision of hospitality as maison&objet's 2024 designer of the year

Lionel Jadot is Maison&Objet designer of the year 2024

The fall edition of the Maison&Objet 2024 unfolds under the theme of TERRA COSMOS. As this edition of the trade fair delves into a cosmic vision where space and earth intersect, the group recognizes Belgian designer, interior designer, and artist Lionel Jadot as its Designer of the Year – Hospitality. Running from September 5th to 9th, 2024, the event acknowledges Jadot as an eminent personality whose career, vision, signature, and uniqueness all set the standard for the profession and celebrates him as the symbol of a fast-changing era, in which he has already intuitively mastered the codes of the future. To mark the occasion, he will have carte blanche for his pavilion, thus allowing him to showcase his interior design philosophy. This time, the exercise, titled What’s new? Hospitality, will concentrate on the design of a hospitality-focused area.

‘My goal was to create my vision of hospitality. The main idea was to explore how we can use money differently today. Through my projects, I encourage my clients to spend money in the right way. This can take two forms: either by using leftover materials to build, or by involving local designers and sourcing local materials instead of relying on distant resources,’ Lionel Jadot tells designboom.

all images © Anne-Emmanuelle Thion

Sustainability Through Recycled Art & Collaborative Design

Raised in a cabinet-making workshop in a vibrant Brussels neighborhood, Lionel Jadot comes from a lineage of artisans who have been crafting fine furniture for six generations. His journey is one of innovation, fueled by a childhood passion for transforming the simplest scraps into imaginative creations. Recycling is more than just a technique for Jadot—it’s at the heart of his creative process, shaped by the artisans, teachers, and architects who influenced him from an early age. Sourcing raw materials based on availability, Jadot’s creativity flourishes within the constraints of what’s at hand, allowing these materials to guide the narrative of each piece. His work bridges the gap between functional art and collectible design, favoring unique, enduring objects over fleeting catalog offerings. In interior architecture, Jadot often turns to his network of designer-makers, collaborating with them to create bespoke interiors that reflect his vision. At his Zaventem workshops, he brings together some 30 designers, inviting them to work alongside him in a spirit of shared creativity.

Jadot’s pavilion at Maison&Objet 2024 reflects his collaborative spirit and sustainable design ethos. Teaming up with a range of creative professionals, the Belgian designer has crafted a vibrant structure entirely from repurposed and reused materials. From the curtains made of leftover fabric that drape the exterior to the furniture built from wood sourced from fallen trees, every element reflects his commitment to sustainability. The design is also scalable, making it adaptable for future projects. Standout features inside the pavilion include leather accents made from leftover eggplants, plastic wall coverings fashioned from discarded materials, and papier-mâché partitions created on-site. ‘The idea is to create a dream room of all these reused materials,’ the Belgian designer shares. ‘After the show, all these pieces are going directly to other projects. So, nothing is going to be thrown away,’ Lionel Jadot adds, highlighting the circular use of materials.

Maison&Objet 2024, fall edition, unfolds under the theme of TERRA COSMOS