The perfect blend of Architecture and Sculpture
As of 1911, Mallet-Stevens began to hone his vision of the relationship between architecture and decoration in the journal Techné: "L1, sculpture must go hand in hand with architecture and must be treated in the same way; only on this condition can they blend into one another and unite to give an impression of beauty". Like an assembler, the architect advocated a convergence of ideas between artists and their art, a quest for harmony that can clearly be seen in his series of almost exclusive collaborations with the Martel brothers, well before the design of the villa for their friend and client Paul Cavrois.
It was in this same spirit that the architect built their studio on the famous Rue Mallet-Stevens in Paris' 16th arrondissement, in 1926. The 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts saw them partner on the Pavillon du Tourisme and the Cubist garden, and in 1928 Mallet-Stevens commissioned their largest sculpted décor for the function room at the Saint-Jean de Luz Casino.
Finally, the creation of the Union of Modern Artists (U.A.M.) in 1929 sealed their lasting collaboration.
Inaugurated in 1932, Villa Cavrois marks the culminating point in the career of Mallet-Stevens who was given free rein on this project, and crystallised yet another artistic collaboration with the brothers.
Mallet-Stevens designed an architectural programme with air, light and hygiene as the watchwords, allowing for a calm working atmosphere and the practice of sports and leisure, while Jan and Joël Martel filled the spaces with their creations :
Bas-relief representing games and leisure activities, Ermine or Weasel on the sideboard in the dining room, Flat-tailed pigeon in the hall-parlour, Sitting cat in an alcove.
The patron and architect's shared love of brightly polished automobiles also found its place in the plaque of St. Christopher, patron saint of travellers, in Paul Cavrois' study and the stylised aluminium Bird mascot for the hood of Robert Mallet-Stevens' luxurious Sizaire car, kept in the garage when he visited the construction site.