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Compas Direction Desk
Jean Prouvé, 1953

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Jean Prouvé developed the Compas Direction Desk in various models around 1950, applying the construction principles that he is known for. All of them share elegantly splayed, narrow legs in metal, a formal reminder of a compass – in French, “le compas”. The oiled solid wood table tops give Compas Direction an individual touch. With its compact dimensions, the table is ideal for the contemporary, largely paperless, home office, where it cuts a fine figure.

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Table top solid wood, oiled – natural oak – smoked oak – american walnut

Base moulded sheet steel, powder-coated

Dimensions W125 x D60 x H73 cm 

Three versions of desk tops available

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Oiled solid oak

Clear lacquered solid smoked oak

Oiled solid American walnut

Four types of metal base available

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

88 – ecru powder-coated (textured)

40 – chocolate powder-coated (textured)

12 – deep black gloss powder-coated (textured)

06 – Japanese red powder-coated (textured)

Examples of combinations

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Oiled oak  + chocolate base

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Oiled oak  + Japanese red base

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Oiled American walnut  + deep black base

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Oiled oak  + ecru base

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Smoked oak + ecru base

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Smoked oak  + chocolate base

Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953
Compas Direction Desk Jean Prouvé, 1953

Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé completed his training as a metal artisan before opening his own workshop in Nancy in 1924. In the following years he created numerous furniture designs, and in 1947 Prouvé established his own factory. Due to disagreements with the majority shareholders, he left the company in 1953. During the ensuing decades, Prouvé served as a consulting engineer on a number of important architectural projects in Paris.

Jean Prouvé left his mark on architectural history again in 1971, when he played a major role in selecting the design of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers for the Centre Pompidou as chairman of the competition jury. Prouvé's work encompasses a wide range of objects, from a letter opener to door and window fittings, from lighting and furniture to façade elements and prefabricated houses, from modular building systems to large exhibition structures – essentially, almost anything that is suited to industrial production methods.

In close cooperation with the Prouvé family, Vitra began in 2002 to issue re-editions of designs by this great French constructeur.