Jean and Claude Prouvé’s Modular House Relocated to Southern France
The historic 1958 prefabricated residence finds a new life near Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
1Relocation of Maison Prouvé 58
Maison Prouvé 58, a 1958 prefabricated L-shaped residence, was successfully reconstructed near Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Originally commissioned by Édouard Degott in Epfig, the structure faced demolition due to local redevelopment plans. Collector Hubert Bonnet acquired the building in 2021, facilitating its careful dismantling, transport to Nancy for restoration, and final reassembly in southern France.
2Prefabrication and Construction Challenges
Designed by Claude Prouvé using his father Jean’s industrialized systems, the house was completed in 1959. The original construction process faced significant delays, including late deliveries of facade panels and glazing. Claude Prouvé personally assisted in assembling the window frames, highlighting the practical difficulties of working with factory-made components during that era.
3Technical Architectural Specifications
The 115-square-meter structure utilizes prefabricated sandwich panels with insulating cores beneath ribbed aluminum surfaces. Slender metal columns support the garden-facing facade, featuring broad expanses of glazing that connect the interior to the landscape. Laminated wood elements provide structural support for the roof, which is finished with folded aluminum panels throughout.
4Interior Layout and Design
A central corridor divides the private bedrooms from the shared living areas. Two bedrooms and a playroom occupy the western wing, while the kitchen and living spaces gather around a fireplace to the east. Generous windows ensure that daylight penetrates deep into the compact interior, maintaining a visual connection to the Mediterranean surroundings.
5Modernist Furniture Integration
The interior is curated with iconic 20th-century design pieces by Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret, and Le Corbusier. Furnishings like the Nuage shelving and original Prouvé desks return to their intended domestic function. These items belong to Hubert Bonnet’s extensive collection, seamlessly extending the architectural narrative into the home's daily living environment.
6Estate Context and Restoration
The house now sits on a 4,000-square-meter estate alongside Le Clos du Père François, a traditional 1850s Provençal farmhouse. This older residence was restored with interiors by Jean-Michel Wilmotte and contemporary art. The contrast between the stone farmhouse and the thin industrial envelope of the modernist structure defines the estate's unique aesthetic character.
7Hospitality and Public Access
Fondation CAB inaugurated the two properties in October 2026, making them available for overnight stays through Les Maisons CAB. The site features landscaped gardens, a swimming pool, and a large wall painting by artist Claudia Comte. Maison Prouvé 58 accommodates four guests, offering a unique opportunity to experience living within a historic architectural experiment.
8Legacy of Modular Housing
More than sixty years after its initial assembly in Alsace, the relocation of Maison Prouvé 58 demonstrates the enduring viability of modular construction. By preserving this structure, the project highlights the importance of adaptive reuse in architectural history. The building serves as a functional testament to the experimental design principles of the Prouvé family.