Konstantin Melnikov

The architecture of the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s was integral to shaping twentieth century modernism. Russian architect Konstantin Melnikov (1890–1974) was a key figure of this movement, with many of his realized projects becoming icons of modernism. Because he refused to conform to architectural standards after Stalin’s cultural turn in 1932, his works were largely forgotten for several decades. He was rehabilitated and received public recognition for his imaginative constructions only a few years prior to his death in 1974.

This publication presents models of Konstantin Melnikov’s built and unbuilt works, created under the direction of Pavel Kuznetsov by the students of the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio. The models are accompanied by photographs, sketches and project descriptions expanding on Melnikov’s work. An essay by Pavel Kuznetsov situates the architect in his historical context, shedding light on an under-appreciated figure of architectural history.