The Rise of Soviet Architecture

Soviet Architecture is often quickly judged and mistaken to always just being simple, boring, concrete blocks. However, there are several time periods within the Soviet timeline that differ from each other, completely. This blog will discuss these three eras of Soviet Architecture and how it was used as political and power moves- and how it spread through Eastern Europe.

Image 1- The Narkomfin Building (Muraenko, I., 2020)

The main three time periods during the USSR were: avant-garde (1917-1932), Stalinism (1932-1955) and late modernism (1955-1991) (Vronskaya, A., 2021). Starting with the avant-garde era, which refers to challenging societal norms and conventions, this era rejected traditional values and had bold experimentations that followed functional designs with geometric forms and use of modern materials, such as: glass and steel (Crawford, C., E., 2022). The idea behind this era was to reshape cities and prioritize communal living and efficient production (Crawford, C., E., 2022). An example of architecture in this era is the Narkomfin Building (see image 1 above), which is a block of flats built between 1928 and 1930.

Image 2- Shukov Tower (World Monuments Fund, 2011)

Image 3- Kudrinskaya Square Building (Potashkin, D., 2025, May)

Throughout the Stalinism era between 1932 and 1955, also known as Constructivism, housing became a priority, as housing shortages became a bigger issue, communal apartments and multi-story residential buildings became more common (Crawford, C., E., 2022). The aim of this era was to project and showcase Soviet power to the world, and took heavy inspiration from classical architecture (Crawford, C., E., 2022). The constructivism era takes up the end of the avant-garde and the start of the Stalinism era, so acted as a bridge between the two; with features like: geometry, minimal design, mechanics and industrialisation (Saravan, G., 2024). Stalinism builds on this and includes features like: columns, arches and mouldings- which are taken as inspiration from classical and gothic architecture (Saravan, G., 2024). In an attempt to showcase Soviet power, skyscrapers and mid-rise apartments became more common, as well as broader and straighter streets, for military parades to take place in (Rethinking the Future, n.a.). Image 2 above, shows the Shukov Tower, which is a steel structure which clearly represents the constructivism era in Soviet Russia; with clear geometric shapes and mechanics, as well as minimal design- despite being built during the Russian Civil War, it still stands today. An example of Stalinism is the Kudrinskaya Square Building in Moscow (image 3, above), which holds a clear power stance over Europe.

Image 4- Bank of Georgia Headquarter (Kathmandu & Beyond, n.a.)

After Stalin's death, a new era began from 1955-1991, known as late-modernism (Vronskaya, A., 2021). Mass-scale and industrialised construction became a key thing and was used to revitalise the nation and bring a distinct and prosperous identity to Russia (Saravan, G., 2024). This era is where the well-known concrete soviet tower blocks were built. An example of a late-modernist building is The Bank of Georgia Headquarters (image 4, above) which consists of concrete and steel and the 'classic' brutalist look.

Growing up in Moldova, in Eastern Europe, my childhoods were spent staring up at the tall, grey, concrete tower blocks which surrounded my neighbourhood. Soviet architecture spread through several countries, and still stands today, even when the Soviet union no longer does. In 1948, after an earthquake, Ashgabat (the capital of Turkmenistan) was fully redeveloped by the Soviets in their style (Rethinking the Future, n.a.). Events like this, where large cities under Soviet Power were redeveloped is why and how Soviet architecture spread through Europe, and still stands today.

References:

Crawford, C. E. (2022). Spatial revolution: Architecture and planning in the early Soviet Union (p. 424). Cornell University Press.

Kathmandu & Beyond. (n.a.) https://www.kathmanduandbeyond.com/bank-georgia-headquarters-tbilisi-georgia/

Muraenko, I., (2020). The Winding Saga of the Restoration of the Narkomfin, an Icon of Soviet Construction. ArchDaily. https://www.archdaily.com/947148/the-winding-saga-of-the-restoration-of-the-narkomfin-an-icon-of-soviet-constructivism

Potshkin, D., (2025, May). The view on the residential Stalinist high-rise building on Kudrinskaya Square. It is the one of seven Stalinist skyscrapers built in 1947-1954. iStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/the-view-on-the-residential-stalinist-high-rise-building-on-kudrinskaya-square-it-is-gm2210496476-627538372

Rethinking the Future. (n.a.) An overview of Soviet architecture. https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a8885-an-overview-of-soviet-architecture/

Sarabande, G. (2024). How did Soviet Architecture Reflect Political and Ideological Values? Parametric Architecture. https://parametric-architecture.com/soviet-architecture-political-ideological/?srsltid=AfmBOoo5lb05S2lyXjdtouTjJvEolE1PE09hPChZKtQnZilPMfv19T8n

Vronskaya, A. (2021). Soviet Architecture. Oxford Bibliographies. https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780190922467/obo-9780190922467-0060.xml

World Monuments Watch. (2011). https://www.wmf.org/monuments/shukhov-tower