Советский модернизм

TASS Building (Telegraph Agency of the USSR), Moscow, 1977 . The dense materiality of the cube volume rejects the ephemeral glass architecture that is typically incompatible with the durable material of the old buildings in the center of the capital. Large two-story cells within the load-bearing exoskeleton define the scale of this edifice, respond to the building’s public function, and spare it from the monotony of equally spaced window grid facades. This active and even somewhat obsessive pattern is based on the profile of “information architecture.” This image is supported by the fact that the facade’s cells resemble TV monitors. At the same time, this pattern echoes the forms of surrounding buildings, which were built in the art deco style in the early twentieth century. Specificity of the image is reinforced by the symbolism of the large portal with a sculptural symbol. A. Ikonnikov architects – V. Egerev, A. Shaikhet,  Z. Abramova, G. Sirota, engineer –   Y. Manevich

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