Design Miami has taken Paris by storm, setting up in the 7th arrondissement with a stunning focus on Jean Prouvé’s historical design. Nestled in the garden of the Hôtel de Maisons, where the fair has been based for three years, stands a remarkable 6×6 Demountable House, a prime example of the “prouvé demountable pavilion.” Designed by Prouvé at the end of World War II and commissioned by the French government, this pavilion offered a lightweight, temporary solution for postwar homelessness.
A Fusion of Cultures
The installation evokes themes of affordability and dignity, situated against the backdrop of the mansion’s elegant 18th-century limestone architecture—a former residence of famed designer Karl Lagerfeld. Patrick Seguin, the gallerist responsible for this installation, reinterprets the structure’s interior, transforming it into a modern chashitsu, or traditional Japanese tea house. This conversion pays homage to Prouvé’s natural-wood paneling design while merging Western architecture with Japanese living traditions, echoing Prouvé’s inspiration from his travels in Japan during his travels in Japan.
The installation’s blend of post-war and traditional themes resonates with Collectif MAGMA’s timber tower project, which echoes historic designs in Lunano.
Seguin’s devotion to these demountable designs is evident in his impressive collection of structures, with seven assembled on his estate in Var, France. These units reflect Prouvé’s enduring quest for simplicity, lightness, and functionality amid the rugged Mediterranean landscape, an exemplary model of postwar architecture.
Beyond the garden, Seguin’s presence is felt inside Design Miami as well, where he displays works by Prouvé and contemporaries. This includes a Forme Libre oak coffee table by Charlotte Perriand and a Pierre Jeanneret sofa set originally designed for Chandigarh, India’s government offices.
Source: thespaces.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Design Miami’s focus in Paris?
Design Miami in Paris is focusing on Jean Prouvé’s historical design, specifically a 6×6 Demountable House set up in the garden of the Hôtel de Maisons.
How is Jean Prouvé’s pavilion in Paris being used?
Jean Prouvé’s pavilion in Paris has been transformed into a modern chashitsu, or traditional Japanese tea house, paying homage to Prouvé’s natural-wood paneling design and merging Western architecture with Japanese living traditions.
Who is responsible for the installation at Design Miami?
The installation at Design Miami is the work of gallerist Patrick Seguin, who reinterprets the pavilion’s interior.
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