• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

This study analyzes the architectural characteristics of Godin's Social Palace system of ideal housing for laborers during the 19th century. Utopian socialists in the first half of the 19th century proposed different solutions to reform their chaotic capitalist society, in response to the maladies of the Industrial Revolution. Fourier designed an ideal housing referred to as the Phalanstere, in which residences coexisted in a cooperative society. His disciples tried in vain to make this ideal housing system real. The only realization of this type of ideal housing was called Godin's Social Palace, which was constructed in Guise, France. The main architectural characteristics of Godin's Social Palace are as follows: dwelling units in consideration of function and expansion are applied basically in the housing. Further, a natural ventilation system is applied between housing and courtyard, and water supply is established in the housing. In Particular, natural lighting and artificial illumination are used in the entire building appropriately. In addition, a device which promotes a community between inhabitants is established. As for such modern facilities and social devices, inhabitants were able to live a more comfortable life. Hence, it is confirmed to have been one of the important factors for sustaining the Social Palace for more than 100 years.