Inspired by NASA’s upcoming return to the moon, Maison&Objet intertwines science and magic for this season’s theme.
Paris, September 2024—This year, Maison&Objet, in collaboration with the creative strategy consultancy Peclers Paris, captivates the world with its latest theme: TERRA COSMOS. Following the success of last edition’s TECH EDEN, which explored the synergy between technology and nature, TERRA COSMOS takes visitors on an extraordinary journey where the boundaries between earth and the cosmos blur, revealing a new frontier of creativity and innovation.
TERRA COSMOS is a visionary exploration of the future, where earthly materials and cosmic fantasies converge. This theme is a response to the growing consumer desire for awe-inspiring experiences and a reconnection with the mysteries of the universe. Brune Ouakrat, the Strategic Planner in charge of foresight at Peclers Paris, describes this vision as one where “science and magic intertwine,” giving birth to new narratives that will undoubtedly shape our world.
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The fascination with space, rekindled by recent scientific milestones, is central to this year’s theme. More than half a century after humanity’s first steps on the moon, TERRA COSMOS explores the idea that we are not merely observers of the cosmos but active participants, responsible for the impact of our creative practices on both the Earth and beyond.
“The limitless mindset of ‘The sky is not the limit’ must be questioned in the face of climate challenges,” Ouakrat highlighted during a press conference at the fair, recalling a sentiment for a more responsible approach to consumption.
The inspiration behind the selection of this season’s theme points directly to NASA’s plans to return to the moon! Artemis II, which will send four astronauts around the Moon without landing, is scheduled for no earlier than September 2025 and the Artemis III landing would be no sooner than September 2026. Artemis IV, another crewed mission to the surface, is penciled in for 2028.
READ our article Voyager Station, the First Hotel in Space by 2027
A New Aesthetic Frontier, Immersive Experiences, and Cosmic Escapes
The aesthetic language of TERRA COSMOS is defined by its exploration of new materials and forms. From the mineral ruggedness evocative of celestial bodies to the futuristic iridescence that captures the boundless expanse of the universe, this theme pushes the boundaries of design.
Sensory futurism creates environments where interiors are transformed by the interplay of light, shape, and texture, resulting in spaces that are as magical as they are innovative. Unplug in Paris exemplifies a fully immersive restaurant in a futuristic, sensory experience that aligns with the concept. Romain Caron created the concept and worked with Mur.Mur Architects and Tamanoir Immersive Studio to bring the project to life. Unplug combines a 360° spatialized sound system with projected landscapes of continents, transporting guests on a multi-sensory voyage while they enjoy carefully crafted cocktails that embody the flavors and traditions of the regions visited.
In the hospitality sector, TERRA COSMOS manifests through unique, space-inspired experiences. The El Cosmico hotel in Texas, with its 3D-printed dwellings made from locally sourced sand, offers an otherworldly retreat that blends sustainability with cosmic ambition. They began construction on the hotel this August, as explained in a publication by Marfa Public Radio.
Additionally, projects like Zephalto’s stratospheric dining experience, scheduled for 2026, where guests will enjoy luxury meals above the Earth’s atmosphere, highlight the intersection of innovation and escapism in hospitality.
“Materials and innovations developed for space exploration will provide very concrete solutions for our challenges on Earth,” Ouakrat said during the conference.
WATCH representatives of Peclers Paris explain in-depth details about the theme in a pre-fair video.
Retail and the Metaverse: Tangible Experiences
The retail sector is also embracing TERRA COSMOS, with spaces that blur the lines between physical and digital. From Acne Studios’ immersive store in China to Montclair’s Tokyo pop-up, where visitors can capture a personalized 360-degree portrait, TERRA COSMOS transforms retail into a multi-sensory experience. These spaces represent the future of consumerism, where digital and physical realities merge seamlessly. According to Peclers Paris,
“This theme allows brands to create fully immersive worlds, where the experience is about much more than just buying a product.”
“Thanks to the use of technology, we can create fixed walls but project different worlds, and therefore continually renew the immersive experience. The aim of technology is not only to serve an aesthetic purpose, but also to enable us to create ever more seamless retails, to respond to consumers’ desire for ‘experimental-ization’, or even museumization.”
Beyond a concept, tangible experience for visitors can be seen through the fair. Through curated spaces like What’s New? In Retail and What’s New? In Decor, attendees encounter a range of products and displays that bring the theme to life in surprising and inspiring ways.
The theme of this season’s exhibition pushes the boundaries of what design can be in the 21st century, inspired by the 2023 ethos of “Designing for Earth by living in space”—a forward-looking vision where space-age innovations guide sustainable solutions on Earth.
