Galerie Jousse Entreprise recreates Jean Maneval’s Bubble House concept

The Bubble House prototype - made primarily from synthetic material - was first presented in France at the Salon Des Arts Ménagers (the domestic household arts fair) in 1956, creating a stir in architecture circles for its futuristic shape and innovative construction.

Its author - the architect, urban designer and theorist Jean Maneval (1923-1986) - transformed a remarkable theoretical concept into reality, inspired by the work of architects who looked into the typology such as Lionel Schein, a one-time collaborator of Claude Parent. The house was eventually put into production in collaboration with plastics company Batiplastique in 1968.

Taking things a step further, the design was later used to create an experimental holiday village in Gripp in the Pyrenees. Twenty houses were created for this mountain constellation, swiftly and easily assembled on site thanks to their clever prefabricated system.

The house’s six methacrylate reinforced polyester parts (known as its six ’shells’) are joined together by waterproof, easily removable seals. The structure sits on a concrete base and comes in green, white and brown.

Thanks to the Galerie Jousse Entreprise, the Bubble House has been recreated fifty-six years after its original launch, just in time for the International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC) in Paris. Visitors will be able to admire and examine the structure up close at the Jardin des Tuileries from 17 to 21 October.