The architecture of the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s was integral to shaping twentieth
century modernism. Russian architect Konstantin Melnikov (1890-1974) was a key figure of this
movement with many of his realized projects becoming icons of modernism. Because he refused to
conform to architectural standards after Stalin's cultural turn in 1932 his works were largely
forgotten for several decades. He was rehabilitated and received public recognition for his
imaginative constructions only a few years prior to his death in 1974. This publication
presents models of Konstantin Melnikov's built and unbuilt works created under the direction
of Pavel Kuznetsov by the students of the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio. The models
are accompanied by photographs sketches and project descriptions expanding on Melnikov's work.
An essay by Pavel Kuznetsov situates the architect in his historical context shedding light on
an under-appreciated figure of architectural history.
