Maison Commune du Chemin-Vert
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In the founding work on garden cities, To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform (1898), Ebenezer Howard encouraged merging collective services.
In line with this model, the Maison Commune cultural centre included a library and a medical centre in the left-hand wing and a “circular restaurant” and administrative offices in the righthand wing. In the centre, a vestibule opened on to a large events hall located to the rear (space for around 500 people).
The building was also home to a domestic school where pupils could learn to manage and maintain a household, and public baths in the basement because the majority of houses did not have bathrooms, although they were equipped with sinks, washtubs and a toilet.
It is now managed by the City of Reims and is “dedicated to amateur arts led by professional artists”, although it still houses a library and a variety of associations.