Storage Piece by Charlotte Perriand & Atelier Jean Prouvé - 1950s

Description

A rare storage piece with sliding doors designed by Charlotte Perriand in collaboration with Atelier Jean Prouvé, originally created for the Immeuble HLM Courboulay in Le Mans, designed by architect Jean Le Couteur in 1954. The white sliding doors originate from built-in cupboards removed from the apartments of the Le Courboulay building, where they formed an integral part of the original architectural furnishings. The doors were carefully salvaged during the dismantling of the integrated storage units, preserving their authentic material, surface quality, and construction. Rooted in postwar French modernism, these original elements embody the principles that defined the mid-century work of Perriand and Prouvé: functional clarity, material honesty, refined minimalism, and architectural rigor. TThe doors have been recontextualized within a newly crafted solid wood case, designed in a sober and timeless language faithful to the modernist ethos of Perriand and Prouvé. Inside, the wardrobe offers generous and well-organized storage, featuring shelving and hanging space conceived with the same rational and functional approach as the exterior. The result is a unique contemporary piece that bridges historical authenticity with enduring architectural restraint, uniting original mid-century architectural elements with a carefully considered modern framework.

Charlotte Perriand (1903–1999) was one of the most influential figures of modernist design, renowned for her human-centered approach to architecture and furniture. Collaborating closely with Jean Prouvé, she championed functional design rooted in industrial techniques and honest materials. Jean Prouvé (1901–1984), engineer-designer and master metalworker, brought structural rigor and technical innovation to modern architecture. Their collaboration represents a cornerstone of postwar French modernism, blending social ideals with refined design solutions.

GW4385