Jean Prouvé 1944: Demountable House Becomes Tea Pavilion

Jean Prouvé's 1944 6x6 Demountable House has been re-imagined in the garden of the Hôtel de Maisons in Paris, France, presented by Galerie Patrick Seguin during Design Miami.Paris as part of Design at Large. This exhibition bridges postwar architectural innovation with the serene traditions of Japanese tea culture.

Originally developed to combat the severe housing shortage in France at the end of World War II, Prouvé was commissioned to design temporary shelters for displaced families in Lorraine and Franche-Comté. His solution relied on an economical, rapid assembly system that could easily be dismantled and relocated when permanent reconstruction was ready.

Measuring six by six meters, the compact dwelling accommodated three rooms and allowed families to move in immediately after assembly. The design utilized a patented axial portal frame made of bent steel combined with standardized wooden panels and a bitumen-coated paper roof, working efficiently within the strict steel rationing quotas of postwar France.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

For the Paris presentation, the gallery reinterpreted the interior by pairing Prouvé's exposed steel skeleton and timber walls with traditional elements like tatami mats and low seating. A woven privacy screen separates the sleeping area from the tea pavilion-inspired space, while floor-to-ceiling glazing connects the interior directly to the surrounding landscape.