André Granet

The French architect André Granet studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1901-07. As early as 1905, he worked in the office of his father Louis (1852-1935). From 1946, he collaborated with his son Bernard (1925-1981). André Granet was active into his 90s. From 1938 on, he was chief architect for civil buildings and national palaces, among holding other public offices.

Granet’s oeuvre included a wide range of townhouses, residential buildings, industrial complexes, and workers’ housing estates. A major focus was on short-lived programs of numerous exhibitions and salons over a period of more than 60 years. He often formed working partnerships, for instance with René Loysel and Auguste Perret. Together with the latter, Granet participated in the realization of the Theater of Decorative Arts at the 1925 World’s Fair. Among his main works is the decor for the 1937 World’s Fair and his buildings in Dax, the Hotel Splendid (1927), and the Casino (1928), two masterpieces of Art Deco.

Even though the exhibitions he supervised brought Granet into contact with the latest trends, in principle he remained faithful to a harmonious to strictly classical decorative system, focussing on the quality workmanship of expensive materials down to the last detail. He was a member of the Société des Architectes diplomées par le gouvernement. From Knight of the Legion of Honor (1921), he rose to Commander (1938) and was also made a Knight of the Order of Vasa.

An aviation enthusiast, Granet co-founded the Aeronautical Industries Association and in 1909 co-initiated the first Air Transport Exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, which later became the International Air and Space Exhibition. He was the exhibition’s general commissioner for many years and was responsible for presenting the aircraft. When the show moved to Le Bourget Airport in 1953, he was the architect of the new building constructed for the show.