Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, founders of the thoughtful, research-based design studio Formafantasma, have long been interested in ideas that improve life for us all – and by that, they don’t just mean humans.
Their focus is on sustainability and ecology, with a pivotal element being how we coexist with animals. Indeed, it is no coincidence that their recent collaboration with the French champagne house Maison Perrier-Jouët in Epernay is named ‘Cohabitare’.
‘We were invited to visit their grounds and discovered the advanced regenerative viticulture practices they are employing,’ Farresin recalls. ‘Avoiding any intensive processes, the entire production cycle has been rethought from a sustainable perspective. An approach that implies, for example, the elimination of pesticides and invasive ploughing techniques.’
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It was a change of course, made possible thanks to a team of experts – including naturalists and doctors of entomology and landscape ecology – commissioned in 2021 by Maison Perrier-Jouët to study the land and implement these new agricultural practices. Fascinated by the ecological process, Formafantasma decided to create a permanent project designed to encourage more species of animals and plants to flourish in the area.
Focusing on the enhancement of local vineyards, a multistep intervention was born, designed to develop over time following the rhythm of nature. The Biodiversity Island was the first step: a 285-square-metre plot of land that has been purposefully left uncultivated to be repopulated by birds, insects and plants, with the aim of also promoting soil fertility.
‘To demarcate this plot, we created 74 totems, composed of terracotta modules produced in France, each including cavities for nesting insects,’ explains Farresin. Using the same material approach, the studio will also take care of the Assembly Grange – ‘a small building located in the fields and used by farmers as a tool shed’ – which the duo will cover with ceramic tiles and include yet more cavities for nesting.
A third element adjacent to the Grange will be the Observatory Tower. This will be a place inaccessible to humans, where Formafantasma will insert microarchitectures designed to house animals and plants. ‘These latest realisations are still a work in progress,’ they say, ‘but our ambition is to transform these buildings into active spaces dedicated to the dissemination of environmental issues.’
That’s a lot of good news for nature, and in turn us, but it’s not the totality of the project. ‘Gustare Mundum’, also designed by Formafantasma, is a refined limited-edition wooden cabinet, an exclusive gift box including a magnum bottle of Perrier-Jouët ‘Belle Epoque 1989’ and six lead-free crystal glasses, as well as a silver-plated cooler. The beautiful pieces are all produced by Austrian brand Lobmeyr and hand-decorated with subtle depictions of flora and fauna.
‘“Cohabitare” is the first expression of the artistic programme that the company intends to develop in the coming years,’ concludes Caroline Bianco, the culture and creative director of Maison Perrier-Jouët. ‘Our future collaborations will continue to enrich this story, contributing to the search for concrete solutions for nature.’ formafantasma.com; perrier-jouet.com
