Familistère de Guise (The)

In the 19th century, Jean-Baptiste André Godin, a socialist captain of industry, decided to bring to his workers the products of their work, as an equivalent of wealth. He became an architect and built the Familistère in Aisne, where 2000 people lived on for nearly a century.
Michel Lallement, sociologist, introduces J.-B. A. Godin and explains his approach. It was not a utopian construct but rather a practical project, a model of life building upon a reformed housing improving the health practices and everyday comfort of families. He also describes the communal aspects of the project, in which BC. A. Godin valued and promoted peaceful coexistence and social diversity.