1938
Founds the company "Idées de France" with four partners: Robert Aubry, Charles Favre-Bertin, Georges Garnier, Raymond Chargebœuf (March). The purpose of the company is the "development of applied arts" and their use to provide work to artists, craftsmen and artisans.
Develops a new architectural concept of individual houses called "Idées de France".
In the summer of 1937 and 1938, he make several trips to Brittany before returning to Fécamp and the Normandy coast: he paints new landscapes in watercolour; he also sketches many scenes of sailors' lives and he will draw inspiration from his sketches upon his return to paint a new series of paintings.
Exhibits at the Salon des Echanges (Parc des Expositions, December 1938-January 1939).
1939
The French State buys his painting "Marin assis" (February).
Wins second prize in the wallpaper competition organized by the Centre de Recherches et de liaison du Conservatoire national des Arts et Métiers in collaboration with the Chambre syndicale des fabricants de papiers peints (February).
Participation in the Entretiens de Royaumont: Regionalism, Craftsmanship, Popular Art, notably with André Vera, Jean-Charles Moreux, Auguste Perret, Süe, Adnet, Subes, Colette Gueden, Arbus, René Chavance. (Abbaye de Royaumont, Asnières-sur-Oise, May 18-20).
Participation in the Forty-first Group of Artists of the Age exhibition, organized by the National Museums at the Petit Palais (July): exhibits wallpapers created between 1920 and 1938 as well as porcelain pieces made in Limoges and Sèvres.
As an architect and urban planner, René Crevel designs A Workers Village. For the employees of Dr. François Debat's Laboratories, he designs an innovative housing project,"The Village" , a garden-city built in a protected natural environment. Eventually, "The Village" will be able to house 50 families, who will have collective, social, sports and cultural facilities.
Construction begins: the janitor's house is completed. The Social Centre and Community Hall, known as "The Casino", is still under construction when war is declared on September 3rd. Work is suspended for several years.
1940
Participation in the Salon du Groupement du Salon d'Automne, the Salon des Artistes décorateurs and the Salon des Tuileries (Palais de Chaillot, April 2-April 25).
Exhibition of paintings at the town hall of Vallière in the Creuse, in aid of the local section (Aubusson) of the Red Cross.
In Saint-Cloud, René Crevel works with Dr. François Debat to help the population, which is increasingly affected by the German occupation. He transforms a swimming school barge into a canteen, the Cantine des Coteaux.
Becomes a "licensed architect" (a status that allows him to fully exercise his activity both as a designer and as an entrepreneur).
Is part of the selection jury of the Société du Salon d'Automne. At the Salon, he exhibits a painting (November 15-December 15).
1941
Develops an ambitious beautification project for the banks of the Seine at St Cloud. The project will not see the light of day.
Appointed architect for the city of Saint-Cloud.
1942
In March, resigns from his position as architect for the city of Saint-Cloud "voluntarily after certain problems with the German occupation authorities".
Leaves Saint-Cloud for Saint-Cyr-sous-Dourdan, where he lives for the next two years with his wife and son. Paints a lot. Continues to work on his project for “The Village" in Garches.
At the Salon d'Automne, in the architecture section he presents "a panel composed of six photo frames showing works by the Social Group of the Laboratories of Doctor F. Debat" (October 3-November 8). Debat" (October 3-November 8).
1943
Exhibits recent paintings at the Pomone du Bon Marché gallery (January), followed by the Salon des Indépendants at the Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris (March 5-April 11).
Designs a number of large decorative panels to serve as models for the bas-reliefs that will adorn the façade of the "The Casino" at the entrance to the The Village in Garches.
At the Salon d'Automne, he presents models of two of his "decorative panels. Art monumental" (September 25-October 30).
1944
Participates in the 55th Salon des Indépendants (March 3-April 2)
Returns to St Cloud following its liberation on August 25.
After his return, and until 1949, he works to bring into being the houses he has designed for Dr Débat, as well as some for other leading figures of the town.
He quickly becomes involved in several projects under the auspices of the programme launched by the Ministry of Reconstruction and Town Planning, following its formation in October.
1945
Participation in the Salon des Indépendants (March 2-April 2).
Creates emergency furniture for victims of war damage, "S.O.S. furniture":
At the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, exhibits a model of a bed and a complete dining room furniture (Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, Palais de Tokyo, June-August).
1946
Continuing his interest in the design of types of housing, at the "Ideas of France", he shows various models of dwellings, entirely or partly made from prefabricated elements.
At the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, he exhibits the plans and a model of a semi-fabricated rural house, a roadside shelter and a petrol pump. The jury of the Société d'Encouragement à l'Art et à l'Industrie, chaired by Auguste Perret, award him a silver plaque.
The prefabricated elements that he has developed will be produced by "La Rurale française", the company that he founds, and works together with his son, in the 50s.
He does the original illustration for an album, We Remember, dedicated to Lawrence Kelly, the American sergeant who was seriously wounded when he entered Saint-Cloud on August 25, 1945. The album is to demonstrate the gratitude of the thousands of inhabitants, both personalities and ordinary citizens, and artists. Manuscripts, scores and graphic works are signed, among others, by Olivier Messiaen, Irène Joliot-Curie, Colette, Marie Laurencin, Kees Van Dongen, Albert Decaris, Paul Landowski, and by René Crevel.
Founds the Salon d'Art de Saint-Cloud, which quickly becomes one of the most important salons in the Paris region.
1947
Dedicates himself to the completion of "The Village" in Garches, leading the different phases of the construction site.
Decorates the façade of the Social Centre, (The Casino), and the gable wall of the adjoining house with large bas-reliefs.
Exhibits several decorative panels at the Salon des Artistes décorateurs (June 13-July 14).
1949
Registers with the National Order of Architects, which now regulates the profession: sworn in on March 31 (listed under no. 2041).
On November 30, he obtains the approval of the Ministry of Reconstruction and Urban Planning (MRU), which allows him to apply for contracts financed by the State, public buildings or work for victims of war damage.