La Friche de l’Escalette
Industrial heritage enriched with modern sculptures and Jean Prouvé's bungalows
“Bungalow du Cameroun” by Jean Prouvé on the site of a former lead factory.
La Friche de l’Escalette presents modern sculptures and architectural installations. It is located on the edge of the Calanques National Park in Marseille, on the site of a former lead factory that operated from 1851 to 1925. The combination of vegetation-covered ruins of industrial heritage with the surrounding limestone cliffs and sea views creates a remarkable cultural site. The estate was purchased in 2011 by antique dealer Eric Touchaleaume, founder of Galerie 54 in Paris, and his son Eliott, with the goal of gradually transforming it into a fully-fledged sculpture and architecture park..
Since 2016, La Friche de l’Escalette has been open to the public during the summer months. Sculptures and installations are selected to complement the natural environment and structure of the site, as well as the free-spirited nature of Marseille’s residents. Touchaleaume is passionate about design, sculpture, and modern architecture, particularly the work of Jean Prouvé. When the site was acquired in 2011, it was used to restore Jean Prouvé's prefabricated houses. Two pavilions, *Pavillon 6x9* and *Bungalow du Cameroun*, have been open for visits since 2016 and, alongside the site itself, serve as exhibition spaces for design pieces and sculptural works.
The vision of French metalworker, designer, and self-taught architect Jean Prouvé (April 8, 1901 – March 23, 1984) has inspired renowned architects such as Richard Rogers, Jean Nouvel, and Frank Gehry. His free and inventive approach, combined with traditional craftsmanship, led him from furniture design to a revolution in prefabricated housing.
Prouvé embodied the ideals of his education at L'École de Nancy: mastery of traditional techniques, knowledge of materials, and accessibility through the industrialization of art. After an apprenticeship with the Parisian metalworker Emile Robert, Prouvé opened his first workshop at the age of 22. He focused on using stainless steel, wrought iron, and aluminum, pushing the limits of these materials. He applied this knowledge to create modern lighting and furniture, with his first design being the demountable recliner “La Chaise Inclinable.” His workshop expanded into “Ateliers Jean Prouvé,” where furniture was produced in series, and collaborations with architects like Mallet-Stevens and Le Corbusier were established. This led Prouvé to focus on manufacturing high-tech structural elements for buildings, such as partitions, panels, and door and window frames.
During World War II, Prouvé's studio was tasked with producing series of housing—initially for soldiers and later as emergency shelters. These homes were constructed using a frame with structural metal columns, allowing them to be quickly built and easily relocated. This project laid the foundation for Prouvé's characteristic elements in demountable architectural designs.
Prouvé refined and patented his "axial portal frame," a two-legged system serving as the main structural support for his modernist demountable houses. The Pavillon 6 x 9 (1944-45), displayed at La Friche de l’Escalette, was conceived as an emergency dwelling after the liberation to provide shelter for people. The pavilion represents Jean Prouvé’s concept of serial construction. It was manufactured in a workshop, delivered as a kit, and assembled on-site in just a few days. The axial portal and various load-bearing components were made of folded sheet steel, combined with wooden panels featuring double partitions.
This year, the pavilion housed the work *La Bête Endormie* by Lilian Daubisse. Nearly the entire interior space of the pavilion was filled with an enormous installation made of cut cardboard, shaped like a sleeping creature.
The prototype *Bungalow du Cameroun* (1958-1964) is the second prefabricated house by Prouvé on display at the site of La Friche de l’Escalette. This bungalow was designed to house teachers and was launched in Cameroon after an international competition funded by the European Union. Prouvé conducted research into industrial housing for tropical countries, focusing on prefabricated aluminum structures that could be adapted to the tropical climate.
The use of aluminum corrugated sheets not only gave the bungalow its aesthetic appeal and distinctive identity but also facilitated natural ventilation. Adjustable sunshades, a double aluminum roof with a space in between for free air circulation, and the characteristic perforated façade panels showcased Prouvé’s visionary approach to green architecture.
As the bungalow is set to be transformed into a holiday residence, Touchaleaume has installed modules in each corner, including amenities such as sanitary facilities, a kitchen, and storage space. The sliding doors of these modules are of the "Brazza" model, designed by Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé, and originate from the former Air France housing units in Brazzaville.
The interior also features contemporary design pieces: floor lamps by Yonel Lebovici, luminous columns by Guy Bareff, masks crafted from cut cardboard by Lilian Daubisse, and ceramic hangers by Atelier Baptiste & Jaïna.
In addition to the demountable houses, sculptures and installations themed around ‘Objects à sa réaction poétique’ are scattered across the site. The first installation on the route is *L’été de la Fôret* by François Stahly, a grouping of black oak columns. The black tannin from the wood is brought out through a vinegar treatment. The black totems are arranged in a semicircle, evoking a sense of primitive art.
On a former support wall of the lead factory, a series of corten steel reliefs by Pierre Tual is displayed. Tual folded and bent sheets of corten steel on-site. The folded pieces resemble origami, as though the heavy material could be manipulated as easily as paper.
Marjolaine Dégremont presents ‘Cabanes perchées’, huts made of white plaster perched on long, winding stems. These installations, located in two areas of the site, appear unbalanced and fragile.
The ceramicist duo Baptiste & Jaïna showcases ‘Formes Molles’, ceramic works featuring overlapping, soft, organic shapes. One series is deeply matte black, while the other is in stark, bright white. They have also designed ceramic furniture, including stools in earthy tones of the "Tractor Seat Stool" type, paying homage to Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand.
‘Claustra’ by Héloïse Bariol blends seamlessly with the landscape and the surrounding factory ruins. The arrangement consists of stacked terracotta blocks held together only by copper wire. The earthy-toned modules were fired in a traditional Japanese kiln. In harmony with the softness of the other presentations, the final shape of this ‘Claustra’ forms a flowing line.
La Friche d’Escalette is a refreshing addition to Marseille's cultural offerings. Its unique setting is perfectly suited for showcasing these carefully selected architectural works and modern sculptures. The further evolution of this project will undoubtedly be closely followed by many culture enthusiasts.
‘Objects à sa réaction poétique’ is on view until 30/10/2022.
Take a look at the website for upcoming exhibitions and visiting times.: Friche de l’Escalette
Route des Goudes, impasse de l’Escalette, 13008 Marseille
Photos (c) Cultuurtoerist