Unlike most of his contemporaries in design today, Jean Marie Massaud’s diverse range of work ignores all temptation to focus on status, trend or cosmetic expression. The intuitions of this French designer are, above all, quintessentially a quest for synthesis: between man, nature and technology. With musings that span across a diverse range of disciplines and subjects, Massaud is profoundly influenced by his philosophical approach, which derives from constant inquiries into our very existence against contextual concerns.
Most exemplary of this unique vision are some of Massaud’s recent projects. Developed in partnership with ONERA (the French aerospace office) and coined a “flying hotel”, Manned Cloud is an inspiring new proposition to travel and living that frees up the need for airports, roads and conventional housing. Completed in April 2009 in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Volcano Chivas Stadium is not just a piece of architecture but a new form of human and economic interaction. With low environmental impact, its collective facilities are widened and symbolically materialized by a crucible with fertile slopes.
Widely recognized for a particular desire to change completely our conceptions about classical products and objects, Massaud is a winner of numerous awards. In 2009, he was conferred Designer of the Year by Salon SAFI for Maison et Objet Now! design à vivre, and Designer 2009 by the Paris Capitale de la Création. In addition he is a winner of two GOOD DESIGN Awards for Massaud W08T Lamp and Holy Day chair, as well as the ‘Elle Deco Award’ for his Seven Table designed for B&B Italia.
With support of his team at Studio Massaud, founded in 2000, Massaud is able to work on large and complex projects: from architecture to product design, from strategic research to branding strategies. Together, Studio Massaud works and aims at developing alternative ways to consumption, by creating ethical brands (in transport, equipment, housing) where notions of desire and responsibility meet and harmonize. His clients include some of the most prestigious brands in the world, including B&B Italia, Axor Hansgrohe, Armani, Yamaha Offshore, Chanel, Cassina, Nike, Dior, Poltrona Frau, Dedon, Lancôme and Renault.
