Museum of utopia. New halls have been inaugurated in the Familistère of Guise

Founded in the 19th century by French industrialist Jean-Baptiste André Godin (who also invented the famous cast iron stove), this public housing community with its various buildings was at one time meant to house factory workers and their families. It’s a true so-called “social palace” that today is among the city’s historic monuments. Godin was a follower of Fourier’s theories and used his own money to better the living conditions of his workers with comfortable factories, housing complexes, social structures, schools, theaters, a wash room, pools and gardens. The familistère has been partially transformed into a museum and allows visitors to discover the architecture and the history of the place, starting from the massive internal courtyard and moving on to the center pavilion, the gardens, Godin’s apartment, the permanent exhibition in the storerooms and the wash room and pool.

The expansion of the museum spaces, which began back in 2012 and has not yet been completed, has allowed for the opening of a gallery for temporary exhibitions inside the main courtyard, the creation of a conference room, the showing of videos in the old “shop area” and completion of a permanent exhibition area.

Goppion took care of the furnishings and the design of the new display spaces. There were quite a few logistical challenges due to the small spaces and passageways and due to the impossibility to use a freight elevator in the construction site. The Milan-based company engineered and installed the display cases in wood, metal and crystal that are meant to showcase objects made by the old factory and the corresponding advertisements. The company also made the furnishings (chairs and various support elements) for the museum and conference room. Notable pieces made for the museum include wooden tables with glass tops and integrated drawers and a large showcase that takes up an entire wall. Thanks to a double layer of glass, this piece offers a view on to the building’s internal courtyard.