In response to an order from the French government at the end of World War II, Jean Prouvé began
designing temporary houses for the homeless in Lorraine. Fine-tuning his already patented axial portal
frame, he saw a quick, economical and adaptable solution as an urgent priority. The area of 6x6 meters
(36 m2) mandated by the Ministry of Reconstruction and Town Planning was partitioned into three rooms
immediately habitable on the day of assemblage. The families were therefore not required to relocate.
Designed to be rapidly assembled on the sites of destroyed homes and, if need be, demounted and moved
elsewhere, these veritable architectural feats were made up of light, prefabricated components of metal
and wood.
The adaptation of Jean Prouvé’s 6x6 Demountable House by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) is
based on the original plans with the addition of modern living facilities including external bathroom and
kitchen pods as well as a series of service trolleys providing hot water and solar-powered electricity.
Placing the pods on the outside maintains the flexibility of the original internal layout, and the trolleys
ensure the house has an independent supply of water and energy so it can be built in any environment.
The RSHP adaptation designed to be a perfect holiday retreat, is an inspirational model for future
demountable and transportable housing in keeping with Prouvé’s original vision.
http://www.patrickseguin.com/fr/videos/maison-demontable-6x6-adaptation-richard-rogers-rshp-2/
Credits:
- Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners
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