Seventy-two dwellings once stood within these walls. This is Centre Godin in Brussels. Before it was Centre Godin it was the Familistère Godin. Founded in 1880 by the French industrialist Jean-Baptiste André Godin this wasn’t just a housing complex. It was a social experiment. Godin believed in the welfare of his workers. He envisioned a community where work and living were intertwined. A place of cooperation not just competition.
Initially the complex was built for the workers of Godin’s foundry in Laeken. The foundry itself had a long history. It started in Forest in 1854 before relocating to its present site along the Willebroeck canal in 1858. Godin’s innovative cast iron stoves were a huge success. This success allowed him to invest in his workers’ welfare.
The Familistère was designed with a central courtyard. This was intended for community activities. All the apartments had access to the courtyard. The architecture was quite unique. Some described it as resembling an old prison or swimming pool. It was however designed to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility.
The Belgian workers received the same rights as their French counterparts. They were part of Godin’s utopian vision. Though they didn’t immediately benefit from the wealth dispensed at the Palais Social in Guise France. The Familistère in Laeken was ultimately less successful than its counterpart in Guise. By 1891 Guise had 1177 employees while Laeken had only 263.
The Familistère’s association ceased operations in 1968. The building was sold and converted into offices. A later attempt to transform it into a business hotel failed. The building was classified in 1988. It was then rehabilitated into around fifty average dwellings and renamed Centre Godin. It now belongs to the Public Centre for Social Action CPAS of the City of Brussels.
The CPAS later sold the Familistère. It is undergoing development into fifty-seven apartments. These should be completed in 2021. Centre Godin stands as a testament to a unique social experiment in the heart of Brussels. A reminder of a time when industry and community were closely linked.