These Iconic Jean Prouvé Prefabricated Homes Will be Exhibited in Marseille
Titled “Jean Prouvé North-South – In Praise of Simplicity.”
Scheduled to hit the hilly landscape of Friche d’Escalette in Marseille is a commemorative exhibit centered around Jean Prouvé — the famed French metal worker who made a name for himself in the upper echelons of the architectural world. Titled, “Jean Prouvé North-South – In Praise of Simplicity,” the park and former lead mine will temporarily lay claim to two of the artist’s most prolific prefabricated homes, which include the Pavillon de Lorraine and Bungalow du Cameroun.
Commissioned by Prouvé’s atelier for Lorraine family members whose previous homes had been leveled during World War II, the former is one of only 20 themed structures that survived the liberation of France. With a mass shortage of steel during the war-torn era, Pavillon de Lorraine gained attention for its ingenious ceiling gantry crane and compact design formation. On the flip side, the Bungalow du Cameroun can best be described as a single module residential layout built to withstand the inclement downpours often found in tropical wet zones.
Moreover, a choice selection of works from a handful of overlooked 20th & 21st-century sculptors, including Parvine Curie, François Stahly, Gérard Lardeur, Shamaï Haber and Costas Coulentianos were appointed to accentuate, not only Prouvé’s creations but the surrounding landscape of the site itself. Be sure to check out the gallery above for a closer look.
In case you missed it, here is a first look at KAWS’ massive Companion sculpture in South Korea.
