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Maison Tropicale (1950) Probably Prouvé's most famous prefab structure—made so after hotelier Andrew Balazs reportedly paid nearly $5 million for a model a few years ago—this metal prototype was built to provide housing in France's African colonies. According to his grandson Serge Drouin, a special "box-in-box" construction technique created ventilation for the home as the metal facade warmed in order to provide comfortable living in the hot African climate. Photo 4 of 6 in Progressive Prefabs of Jean Prouvé

Progressive Prefabs of Jean Prouvé

4 of 6

Maison Tropicale (1950)

Probably Prouvé's most famous prefab structure—made so after hotelier Andrew Balazs reportedly paid nearly $5 million for a model a few years ago—this metal prototype was built to provide housing in France's African colonies. According to his grandson Serge Drouin, a special "box-in-box" construction technique created ventilation for the home as the metal facade warmed in order to provide comfortable living in the hot African climate.