Involved politically in the French government’s deliberations, which he deemed too cautious, over the country’s definitive post-War reconstruction, Jean Prouvé advocated a real industrial revolution of the building industry. His immediate contribution was to perfect his axial portal frame building system, designed and patented before the War. Commissioned by the Ministry of Reconstruction, he made a demonstration model in only a few months, in spite of post-War shortages and other restrictions. Despite winning the Concours des Maisons Nouvelles (competition for new houses) in 1947, only a handful of the 8x12m houses were ever produced. The prototype, kept at the Maxéville workshop, was erected there in 1952 to accommodate the rapidly expanding Ateliers Jean Prouvé design office.
