Yekaterinburg’s Soviet History in 8 Constructivist Buildings
Dubbed the constructivist capital of Russia, Yekaterinburg has several stand-out buildings that reflect the city’s industrial history and the grand ideas of Soviet times. Constructivism, born out of the art movement of the same name in the early 20th century, employed design to further socialist ideology as well as immensity and geometry to create bold, epic and conceptually mind-blowing buildings and structures. To this day, they are the mark of an era driven by radical ideas and bold change.
1. Chekist Town
Shop
2. Uralmash Plant Complex
Built in 1933 as direct result of Stalin’s first five year plan (the roadmaps for Soviet economic development beginning in the 1920s), which outlined a strategy to create heavy industry quickly throughout the Soviet Union. A team of young architects were given the task of creating the industrial plant and workers settlement that housed workers and their families, providing them with amenities and services. This micro-city became central to the mafia gang conflicts that plagued Yekaterinburg in the 1990s, at the end of the USSR.
Uralmash Plant Complex, Ulitsa Mashinostroiteley 19, Yekaterinburg, Russia
3. Printing House
Building, Music Venue
Continuous windows panel the entire building’s perimeter and a semicircular staircase sticks out from it’s facade. While designed out of necessity (printing facilities require bright light), these style features, went on to become signature design elements in constructivist buildings. Built in 1926, the building housed multiple publishing and printing companies and a local branch of the TASS photo agency. During WWII offices were made smaller to accommodate relocated writers from other parts of Russia. While parts of it remain unused, a music venue and multi-purpose arts and hospitality spaces now take up a chunk of it and the building hosted the first Ural Biennale Festival in 2010.
5. General Post Office
Building, Post Office
Using block geometric shapes to resemble a tractor, a symbol of collectivisation and a homage to the agricultural workforce, the House of Communications was designed in 1933 and still operates as a post office today. Back then, however, the enormous building was also a telephone company, a day care, kindergarten and an 800 seat radio theatre. There were also rooms where employees could socialise, based on their interests, without leaving their workplace.
General Post Office, Prospekt Lenina 39, Yekaterinburg, Russia
6. Uraloblsovnarkhoz Dormitory
Building, University
Communal living was a common practise in Soviet times, where many apartments had shared facilities for the multiple families that lived there to use. University dormitories, workers housing and accommodation for singles in particular were often designed to enhance and maximise use of communal space. Uraloblsovnarkhoz Dormitory housed singles and small families. Shared areas had high ceilings and big windows, while bedrooms had lower ceilings and smaller windows so the building could accommodate more residents, and to promote the communal space.
Uraloblsovnarkhoz Dormitory, Ulitsa Malysheva 21/1, Yekaterinburg, Russia
7. Dinamo Sports Centre
Stadium, Sports Center, Building
8. The Old White Tower
Building
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