Jean-Marie Massaud is an internationally renowned French designer, born in Toulouse in 1966. He initially studied aerospace engineering before turning to design, graduating from ENSCI - École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle in 1990. He began his career in Hong Kong before opening his first office in Paris in 1996. He collaborated with designer Marc Berthier and architect Daniel Pouzet, with whom he founded Studio Massaud in 2000. Massaud's approach to design - whether furniture, cars, interior design, architecture or urban planning - begins with the idea of innovation in terms of environmental sustainability, economic efficiency and collective and individual well-being. The aim of his work is to create organic projects that connect people and nature. Nature, in fact, is the primary source of inspiration for the designer, who pursues solutions that can arouse emotions in their users. The result is an unmistakable style characterised by simple elements, essential lines and extraordinary lightness.
He has collaborated with such brands as Alessi, Poliform, Arper, Poltrona Frau, B&B, Axor, Cassina, Foscarini, Cappellini, MDF. His iconic products include the Flow Filo chair by MDF Italia; the Aston Club armchair by Arper; the Saint-Germain seating system; the Seattle stool for Poliform; the Archibald armchair for Poltrona Frau; the Springtime coffee tables for B&B.
Massaud has taught at Domus Academy in Milan and the European Institute of Design in Turin. He also received numerous prizes and awards, including the ADI Compasso d'Oro in 2011 for the Yale sofa by MDF Italia; the 2012 Wallpaper Design Award for the Seax folding chair by Dedon; the 2012 Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best for the best radiator with Blow, created for Cordivari Design. This was followed by the 2014 Wallpaper Design Awards in the "Best Room Mates" category for Poltrona Frau's GranTorino modular sofa collection and, that same year, the Muuuz International Award for the Airberg sofa for Offecct. Massaud also designed the Green Island seating collection for Offecct, winner of the Green Good Design Award in 2016.
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