Architect and designer strongly influenced by Joseph Hoffmann and by Wienerwerkstätte (Vienna Workshops), Robert Mallet-Stevens, is in France before 1914 and before Le Corbusier, his exact contemporary, one of the first to react against the frills of modern style and one of the first to promote an universal architecture rejecting the scenery and the regionalism. Like Le Corbusier, he opted for the concrete frame, denied the benefit of traditional window glass panel, extols the open plan and smooth the geometric volumes.

A street in Paris that bears his name during his living

In the Rue Mallet-Stevens in Auteuil neighborhood, he creates an ideal modern city, made up of urban hotels. Among other, there is his agency at No. 12, Joel and Jan Martel sculptors' house at No. 10, Hotel Particulier belonging to the pianist Madame Reifensberg at No. 8, Daniel Dreyfus at No. 7 and Madame Allatini at No. 3/5. The concierge is located down the street at No. 1.

Mallet-Stevens, who didn't feel concerned by the major question of the century, which was mass housing, kept himself busy with architectural and pastic concerns. His work was practically only made of Hotel Particulier or Private Villas for rich modern bourgeois..

Its principles are simple:

"Modern architecture can do more than just create a heavy block: it can play with a succession of cubic monoliths. The adjacent scenery is not necessary any more. The few trim engraved in a facade do not catch the light any more, the entire facade does it now. The architect carves now a huge block: in the house. The projections, recesses rectilinear form large bodies of light and shadow... United surfaces, sharp edges, sharp curves, raw polished angles, clarity, order. This is the logical and geometric house of tomorrow." (Robert Mallet-Stevens)

Attention is being paid to the finishing of the construction: Louis Barillet stained glass, Jean Prouve doors and gates. The interiors have been especially composed by Pierre Chareau, Gabriel Guevrekian and Mallet-Stevens himself. Several villas have unfortunately been modified or elevated since their creation.

The work of Mallet-Stevens is aristocratic, it is full of sophistication and refinement. It has matured away from social problems. If you were to compare him with more committed architects, you would say he doesn't have any direct followers. It is however part of the prewar esthetics period.

Cultural walk to explore the 16th arrondissement

Located on the right bank of the Seine River, the west of Paris' 16th arrondissement is primarily residential. However, the area attracts many tourists thanks to its various museums and remarkable places like the Trocadéro and the Bois de Boulogne. This is also the district where you find the highest number of embassies and consulates. Moreover, because of its recent development and its distance from the center of Paris, it is the greenest borough in the capital.

Start your walk rue Mallet-Stevens. You can walk there virtually on Google Street View.

From the Rue du Dr Blanche, you will find the "Avenue Raphael", then turn left onto Rue Louis Boilly. At No. 2 stands the Museum Marmottan Monet. Mecca of the Empire period, the Marmottan Museum has gradually become one of the greatest museums of Impressionist painting with a succession of generous donations. Pissarro, Sisley, Morisot and Renoir stand alongside the largest collection of works by Monet in the world.

Another tasty discovery is the Wine Museum located in the Charles Dickens Square at No. 5, not far from Passy subway station. A collection of thousands of objects on the vine and the wine is exposed in the 14th century galleries. The restaurant in the museum is open between noon and 3pm in an non-conventionnal space, around traditionnal French cuisine. Reservations are highly recommended.

When you leave the wine museum, take the Trocadéro direction, where you will enjoy the best view of the Eiffel Tower. Here is also a major monument of the thirties, the Palais de Chaillot. Inside the City of Architecture and Heritage, which opened in September 2007, you will discover the emblematic works of French architectural heritage and contemporary world. Don't miss this wonderful visit!

Going down towards to the the Seine River until the Avenue de New York, stop at No. 2. This magnificent Hotel Particulier houses the Mona Bismarck Foundation. The foundation offers an eclectic program of exhibitions and seminars. The entrance, which is traditionally free, emphasises on cultural exchanges between France and Germany. They also reflect the tastes and interests of the late Countess Mona Bismarckun.