The Maison & Object Designer of the Year for 2023 is Raphael Navot – for each show the organisers recognise and celebrate the work of a designer who demonstrates exceptional talent and skill in the international design and decoration scene.
Raphael Navotwas born in Jerusalem (Israel) in 1977. In 2003 he received a Bachelor’s degree in Conceptual Design from Design Academy Eindhoven, after which he settled in Paris, embarking on exploring the disciplines of design and interior architecture.
Subsequently, his portfolio is a rich spread of multi-disciplinary projects that showcase French craftsmanship and skill, ranging from examples of hospitality interiors to both bespoke and commercial product design. He worked with David Lynch on the Parisian nightclub Silencio (2011), collaborated on the production of a highly technical line of end-grain flooring for Oscar Ono (2016), and created a collection of 12 families of furniture -from sofas and tables to rugs and lamps – for Roche Bobois(2018).
However, it is his work on the Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers (2017) that has possibly been the most significant endeavour for the designer so far.
He unveiled this past year the continuation of his furniture collaboration with Loro Piana, “A Portrait of Comfort” at the Salone del Mobile in Milan and a 50 rooms, 10 private apartments hotel in Cannes, Hotel Belle Plage.
Through “On the Same Subject”, his latest work for Friedman Benda in New York, he follows his ongoing collaboration with the gallery and the dialogue between handcraft and the natural landscape.
“I am not sure there is a visual manner that can describe my aesthetics, although all the projects derive from similar values and hopefully establish a uniform style. Natural materials and traditional craft are always present, often bespoke for each project and with certain attributes of organic forms. I often opt to achieve an experience that is somewhat timeless,” he says.
Maison & Objet will be held from 19-23 January 2023 in Paris. For more information visit maison-objet.com/en/paris
