Promotion: French champagne house Perrier-Jouët has completed a multi-year project entitled Cohabitare, working alongside design studio Formafantasma.
The project is described as an “ecological, architectural installation dedicated to biodiversity”, according to the historic Champagne house.
Formafantasma founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin were personally involved in shaping Cohabitare, setting out to connect biodiversity, agriculture and design in the Champagne vineyard.
An installation in one of the Perrier-Jouët’s vineyards in France’s Champagne region was the first phase of the collaboration, which involved the design and erection of 74 posts comprised of handmade terracotta modules of differing heights dotted around a 285-square-metre overgrown patch of land.
These structures were created by Formafantasma in a bid to support the biodiversity of the local area by providing shelter and habitats for pollinating insects.
The insects are attracted to the tube-shaped components by their flowery hues – rendered in natural iron oxide glaze which also serve to support indigenous plant species that the wildlife can then consume.
“Design is a complex discipline often misunderstood as solely focused on desirability and beauty,” said Formafantasma. “At its best, however, design can offer solutions to complex realities and serve as a tool to learn from and celebrate nature.”
“Our collaboration with Perrier-Jouët marks the first opportunity we’ve had to explore our interest in the life and behaviour of flora and fauna, and how design can enhance biodiversity. The challenge is to demonstrate that design can not only draw inspiration from nature but also contribute to its wellbeing.”
It will be brought to life in an ecology themed dining experience, connecting the dots between design, nature, gastronomy and wine, taking place during Design Miami 2024, entitled The Banquet of Nature.
The dinner will be held at the Fontainebleau hotel on 3 December and features food by three Michelin star Chef Pierre Gagnaire and a specially-engineered soundscape by eco-acoustic composer David Monacchi.
It will be hosted by the Formafantasma designers and Perrier-Jouët culture and creative director Caroline Bianco.
The soundscape is named Oecanthus and is made up of onsite recordings carried out over summer 2024 in Perrier-Jouët vineyards.
“Oecanthus by David Monacchi illustrates the importance of the species interconnections for restoring the integrity of biodiversity,” said Formafantasma.
“Spurred by its heritage, Maison Perrier-Jouët encourages us to reflect the complexity of the living world,” said Caroline Bianco, Culture and Creative Director of Maison Perrier-Jouët.
“The project created by Formafantasma allows us to share widely the conditions of biodiversity in Champagne through an experience inviting us to discuss the importance of the environmental interconnectedness between species in order to better inhabit our world.”
Perrier-Jouët will be at Design Miami between 3 and 8 December 2024.
Partnership content
This article was written by Dezeen for Perrier-Jouët as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
