Soviet Brutalist Architecture: Brutalism was one of the most influential architectural movements of the 20th century. Characterized by raw concrete, large-scale shapes and textured surfaces, brutalist architecture was embraced by architects in most parts of the world at the time. However, there was one region that showed special interest, which was the Soviet Union.
Here are Soviet brutalist architecture and its most striking examples…
What is brutalist architecture?
Brutalist architecture is actually an architectural style that emerged during post-war reconstruction projects in the United Kingdom in the 1950s.
Angular geometric shapes, exposed and generally unpainted concrete are the most characteristic features of this movement. At the same time, using a single color in the building is the common point of almost all brutalist style buildings.
Brutalism, which remained popular until the 1970s, was mostly preferred in the construction of universities, libraries, courts and town halls.
House of Soviets, Kaliningrad/Russia
The Soviet House building is located in the very center of the city of Kaliningrad. The construction of this building, which is one of the important examples of brutalism, started in 1970, but its construction was stopped in 1985 due to budget problems.
Concert and Sports Palace, Vilnius/Lithuania
The Vilnius Concert and Sports Palace, built in 1971, is among the best-known examples of brutalist architecture.
Linnahall, Tallinn/Estonya
This monumental concrete structure was designed for the 1980 Olympic Games. The building, which was later used as a concert venue, still has a helipad and a small port.
State Circus, Chisinau/Moldova
Opened in 1982, the Chisinau Circus was Moldova’s largest entertainment venue. The dissolution of the USSR and the economic crisis that immediately followed led to the fact that this building could not be used from 2004 to 2014
Uzbekistan State History Museum, Tashkent/Uzbekistan
Soviet architecture sometimes also drew on local styles to create unique brutalist structures. This was particularly common in the Central Asian Republics, which regularly used intricate patterns and bright colors in their architecture. The State History Museum of Uzbekistan, built in 1970, is a good example of this.
Russian State Robotics and Technical Cybernetics Science Center, Saint Petersburg/Russia
Robotics and Technical Cybernetics Institute is one of the largest and most important research centers in Russia. The building, which symbolizes many achievements during the space races, is also shown among the best examples of brutalist architecture.
Kurpaty Health Resort, Yalta/Crimean Autonomous Republic
This building, reminiscent of Ufo, is a sanatorium built in Yalta in 1985. Moscow of the time had hundreds of these sanatoriums built throughout the USSR so that the patients could rest and be cured.
Bank of Georgia, Tbilisi/Georgia
Opened in 1975, this building is one of the most iconic Soviet structures in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Although it was opened to serve the Ministry of Highways, it has been the main center of Georgian Bank since 2007.
