30 Design and Architecture Decisions That Range from Amazing to Downright Scary
Socialist modernism blends functionality with strikingly unusual designs, as seen in imposing grey monoliths.
Modernist architecture encompasses many styles, including Art Deco, Constructivism, Expressionism, and Metabolism. These styles have significantly influenced the appearance of buildings in the 20th century.
However, there is a distinctive style known as socialist modernism that stands out. It was popular in Eastern Europe from the Cold War era until the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
This style is characterized by its simple, large grey buildings, which also feature some truly interesting and unusual designs. People have shared pictures and information about these unique structures in online communities like r/SocialistModernism and r/SocialistModernism1.
Although these buildings are fascinating, many of them are aging and not well maintained. In 2014, a group called the Bureau for Art and Urban Research (BACU) began working to preserve these structures.
They aim to protect them because they are important pieces of history and contribute something special to the aesthetic of cities. Dumitru Rusu, who collaborates with BACU, believes these buildings convey significant insights about the past and enhance the character of our cities.
BACU is also striving to raise awareness of these buildings by mapping them online. This initiative helps everyone recognize the significance of these structures and understand why they should be preserved.
Their work illustrates how cities evolve over time and highlights the importance of finding a balance between innovative ideas and the needs of the community.
1. Genex Tower, a Notable Landmark.
Dnthaveone2. Trade Fair Center in Accra, Ghana, designed in 1967 by Vic Adegbite, Jacek Chyrosz, and Stanislaw Rymaszewski, showcases a collaboration between African and Eastern European planners of that time.
archineering3. East Meets West
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4. The Fontana Complex in New Belgrade, Serbia, was designed by architect Uroš Martinović in 1968.
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5. Kazakhstan Bus Stop
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6. Derzhprom - Iconic Soviet Constructivist Building in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
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7. Time Froze.
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8. Hala Arena, constructed in 1974, is an indoor sports arena located in Poznań, Poland.
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9. The Iron Fountain in Gyumri, Armenia.
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10. The Unique Aesthetic of Soviet Bus Stops
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11. Lake Sevan Viewpoint
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12. Former-Soviet Central Asia's Mosaic.
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13. In 1985, a Sanatorium/Rehabilitation Center was established in Dombay, Karachay-Cherkess Republic.
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14. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade showcases modern art.
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15. Soviet Chad Reaches Out to Your Girlfriend via Satellite
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16. In 1965, a prefab elephant slide was installed in Dresden, East Germany. #sicmod
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17. Home Furniture Retailer in Bucharest, Romania.
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18. Spodek Arena, Katowice, Poland, built in 1971.
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19. Sevan Writer's House is a cultural hub and residency program for writers located in Sevan, Armenia.
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20. Bodiul's Viewpoint Platform near Chisinau, Moldova, constructed in the 1960s. Photo by Dumitru Rusu.
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21. DDR-Era Communal Buildings in East Berlin
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22. The Palace of Ceremonies in Tbilisi, Georgia, is an iconic landmark known for hosting important events and ceremonies.
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23. The State Museum of History in Uzbekistan, designed by Yevgeniy Rozanov and Vsevolod Shestopalov, was built between 1968 and 1970.
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24. Tuzla Bank, now NLB, located in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was constructed in 1977 by architect V. Stojanović. Photo credit: Dumitru Rusu.
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25. Deserted Lakeside Structure, Chisinau
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26. The Military Medical Academy Complex in Belgrade, Serbia.
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27. Rudo Skyscrapers - Recent Photo
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28. Mountain Kosmaj, Serbia. Constructed in 1971 by architect Gradimir Medaković and sculptor Vojin Stojić. (C) BACU / Photo by Dumitru Rusu.
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29. Hotel "Vrbak" in Novi Pazar, Serbia, constructed in 1976, reflects the local ethnicity with an Oriental touch.
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30. Novi Sad, Serbia's Brutalist Architecture
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Preserving these buildings goes beyond merely maintaining physical structures; it's about holding onto our collective history and ensuring our urban environments remain vibrant and multifaceted.
These architectural works are not just remnants of the past; they are tangible connections to the events, ideas, and aspirations that shaped societies during the Cold War and the era of the Soviet Union.
By maintaining them, we keep the stories of those times alive, allowing future generations to explore and learn from them.
