Советский модернизм

Residential building “Fleita” (Flute), Zelenograd, Russia, 1970 . 514 meters (1,700 feet) long, the building was named the Flute because its plan evokes this musical instrument. It was the only residential building in the city built as an individual design. The reason for this was not its location on the main city square, but rather demographic circumstances justifying the almost exclusive need to provide the city’s young families with one bedroom apartments. The gallery plan turned all living quarters to the south, while the kitchens, lit through clerestory windows, face north. The main facade serves as a backdrop for several public buildings in front of it. This panoramic photo shows the House of Culture on the right (illustrations, pages 183–187) and the business center tower on the left. The view depicted here is now spoiled by the four-story building being erected unlawfully in front of the Flute. Public outcries have stopped the construction for now, but the future of the complex remains to be seen. F. Novikov architects – F. Novikov, I. Pokrovsky, G. Sayevich, N. Movchan, engineer – A. Parshin, sculptor – Y. Ionov

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