Nestled in a quiet Krivoarbatsky Lane, the house that belonged to architect Konstantin Melnikov is a must see for each fan of modern architecture.

It is an amazing house that will always look avant-garde.

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This is the way the house looked in the 1980s.

Not only its look but also methods of its construction were innovative (and remain so).

Let’s turn to some history. In the 1920s, world famous architect Melnikov obtained land and a permission for constructing his own house.

Melnikov wanted this house to be experimental. He intended to test new methods of construction to later implement them into mass housing construction.

There were other people and organizations which applied for that piece of land. According to Melnikov, the committee opted for the architect once it saw the project of the house.

At first, he planned to make 200 hexagonal windows but later he reduced the number to 60.

Architect Konstantin Melnikov with his wife at the construction site.

The floor is also innovative. It is made of wooden planks and has no joists at all. As a result, the load distributes evenly making the diaphragm flexible.

The house presents two cylinders, two-storey and three-storey.

Floorplan:  1 — hall, 2 — dining room, 3 — kitchen, 4 — hall, 5 — bathroom, 6 — shop, 7,8 —play rooms, 9 — former bathroom, now living room, 10 — sitting room, 11 — bedroom, 12 — shop, 13 — veranda.

Although today the main floor is lived in, the second and third floors preserved their original appearance.

Victor Melnikov, a son of architect Melnikov, passed away in 2006 and now it is Victor’s daughter and her husband who live in the house.

There are some photos of the house.

Room 9. On the left there is a portrait of Konstantin Melnikov made by Victor Melnikov.

This is a painting by Konstantin Melnikov, 1944-1945.

Victor’s former shop is located on the main floor.

Paintings by Victor Melnikov. Those holes in the wall were used as a ‘speaking device’ connecting the kitchen and dining room situated on the main floor with the shop on the third floor.

In the picture: Konstantin Melnikov.

The sitting room is located on the second floor.

During the last 20 years, they built a lot of new houses around the architect’s house and the shutters have warped.

The bedroom.

The architect chose colors which he thought contributed to a relaxing and soothing atmosphere.

Konstantin’s wife liked fancywork that is why there are many decorations in the house made by her.

Konstantin Melnikov’s self-portrait, 1917.

This shop was used by both Melnikov father and Melnikov son.

The room has a lot of natural light.

These are works by Victor Melnikov. They say that Konstantin built this house but it was Victor who put life into it.

Konstantin and Victor Melnikov.

Some works by Victor Melnikov.

This house is beyond time.

Location:
Moscow

via moscowwalks.ru