Maison Perrier-Jouët has launched Cohabitare, an ambitious project blending art, ecology, and design in the heart of its Agusons vineyard in Champagne, France. Presented throughout 2024, this initiative is the result of a partnership with Milan-based design studio Formafantasma and reflects a modern reinterpretation of Art Nouveau’s reverence for nature.
The project’s centerpiece, the Îlot de Biodiversité (Biodiversity Island), spans 285 square meters and features 74 handcrafted terracotta poles. These structures, designed with cavities to host various insect species, offer a sanctuary for biodiversity while maintaining a respectful distance from human visitors. Native plants further enhance the space, providing nourishment for pollinators and supporting the vineyard’s ecosystem.
Caroline Bianco, Perrier-Jouët’s cultural and creative director, described the initiative as “a milestone project rooted in Champagne’s natural environment.” Designed in collaboration with ecologists and viticulture specialists, Cohabitare highlights regenerative agricultural practices, aiming to improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce carbon emissions.
Beyond its ecological mission, Cohabitare functions as a platform for knowledge exchange, with plans for biannual experiments and collaborative events. At Art Basel and Design Miami 2024, the project was celebrated with The Banquet of Nature, an immersive dinner featuring discussions on biodiversity and a soundscape created from vineyard field recordings.
Simone Farresin, co-founder of Formafantasma, emphasized the project’s philosophy: “This is not about competition but creating common ground.” With its innovative design and ecological focus, Cohabitare offers a vision of coexistence that redefines the relationship between agriculture, design, and the natural world.
All photography and video courtesy of PERRIER JOUET and FORMAFANTASMA
