具体描述
Jean Prouve (1901-1984) was one of the most outstanding design engineers of the 20th century. His work is a remarkable combination of creative imagination, technical skill and visionary enterprise. The first of Birkhauser's 4-volume edition of Prouve's Complete Works covers the period between 1917 and 1933 including the first metalwork objects (staircase railings, lamps), the first standardised building products (windows, doors, movable partitions), the first furniture in moulded steel and the first building projects to use folded sheet metal, such as operating theatres in Lyon's Hopital Grange Blanche, as well as the text of numerous conversations with Jean Prouve. "Peter Sulzer's work is an admirable catalogue raisonne of the works of Jean Prouve... He has made a remarkable synthesis from a variety of sources, rigorously organised on the page and easily readable" (commendation on the award of the French Briey Prize for an architectural book).
Jean Prouvé: Radical Modernism and the Craft of Industrial Design Volume 2: 1954–1971: The Later Years and Global Influence This comprehensive volume meticulously documents the prolific and transformative final phase of Jean Prouvé's career, spanning from the mid-1950s until his death in 1971. Far from a tapering off, this period represents a crystallization of his lifelong philosophical and structural inquiries, pushing the boundaries of industrial fabrication, prefabricated architecture, and the very definition of modern living. While Volume 1 charted his foundational explorations in metalwork and the development of his signature structural honesty, Volume 2 showcases Prouvé operating on a global stage, refining his aesthetic into a language both deeply personal and universally applicable. The book is structured thematically and chronologically, offering an unparalleled deep dive into the projects that defined his later vision. It begins with the aftermath of the closure of the Ateliers Jean Prouvé as an independent manufacturing entity, marking a critical shift in his focus towards large-scale architectural consultancy and collaborations that would amplify his industrialized principles across continents. Architectural Metamorphosis and Prefabrication Mastery A significant portion of this volume is dedicated to Prouvé’s increasingly sophisticated approach to modular and industrialized housing solutions. His commitment to the “object designed to be produced in series” reached its zenith here. We examine in exhaustive detail the evolution of the Tropical House (Maison Tropicale) concept beyond the initial Niger prototypes, analyzing subsequent iterations developed for various climates and logistical challenges across French colonies and beyond. The volume presents newly digitized archival drawings detailing the complex, yet elegantly simple, ventilation systems and adjustable skin elements that allowed these structures to respond dynamically to harsh environmental conditions. The accompanying essays scrutinize the socio-economic goals embedded within these designs—Prouvé’s unwavering belief that beautiful, robust architecture should be accessible through rational industrial means. The study moves into the critical mid-century university and public building projects. The analysis of the Université de Brazzaville and the Centre Scolaire de Bobo-Dioulasso reveals Prouvé’s mastery in creating expansive, climate-responsive structures using standardized, mass-producible components. The volume includes detailed photographic records, many previously unpublished, illustrating the construction methodologies which prioritized rapid assembly and disassembly, reflecting a profoundly modern understanding of obsolescence and adaptability. Readers will find meticulous studies of his innovative roof systems—such as the tensioned fabric structures and the distinctive, articulated skylights—which became hallmarks of his later architectural identity. Furniture as Structural Epiphany While his architectural output swelled, Prouvé never abandoned the precision of furniture design, viewing it as the essential laboratory for his structural theories. Volume 2 features an in-depth look at the iconic designs that solidified his legacy in the decorative arts during this era. The Fauteuil Tout Métal in its later, refined iterations receives focused attention, tracking the subtle modifications in weld points and material sourcing that improved both its manufacturability and comfort profile. The introduction of new materials, particularly certain forms of treated plywood and specialized plastics in collaboration with manufacturers, is examined not as a deviation, but as a pragmatic extension of his philosophy: utilizing the best available technology to achieve structural purity. Special attention is paid to the series of tables and shelving units developed for his own offices and for institutional clients. These pieces often employed sophisticated hinge mechanisms and interlocking joints that eliminated unnecessary bulk, embodying the principle of "less material, more structure." The technical drawings presented here allow industrial designers to trace the lineage of contemporary flat-pack and modular furniture directly back to Prouvé’s insistence on demountability and rational assembly. Exhibitions, Teaching, and Theoretical Legacy The latter years saw Prouvé transition into a revered academic and advisory role. This section of the book delves into his profound influence through teaching at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD) and later at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM). The volume reproduces excerpts from his lecture notes and pedagogical critiques, illuminating his method of teaching design not as an aesthetic exercise, but as a confrontation with engineering limitations and material realities. His famous injunctions regarding the responsibility of the designer to the machine and the user are contextualized within the post-war industrial boom. Furthermore, the book chronicles Prouvé’s engagement with major international exhibitions of the 1950s and 60s, where he rigorously defended his vision of architecture as "the industry of the object." The inclusion of exhibition designs—often temporary structures built to showcase industrial capability—demonstrates his flair for creating powerful, immediate spatial experiences using standardized components. The Symbiosis of Art and Industry Crucially, Volume 2 addresses the complex relationship between Jean Prouvé and the burgeoning art market. As his industrial works began to be recognized for their inherent aesthetic power, the book carefully navigates the transition of his furniture from functional objects to collectible objets d'art. Essays investigate the collaboration, and sometimes tension, between the pure engineering logic of his early designs and the later adaptations made necessary by galleries and private collectors aiming to re-edition or restore his pieces. This analysis ensures a balanced view, celebrating the beauty of his designs without romanticizing the rigorous, often difficult, process of industrial realization that was always his primary concern. Through high-resolution photographic documentation, newly translated correspondence, and authoritative technical analysis, Jean Prouvé Complete Works – Volume 2 serves as the definitive reference for understanding how a singular vision married structural rigor with humanistic design during a period of radical global transformation. It is an essential resource for architects, industrial designers, art historians, and anyone dedicated to the enduring power of making things well.
