Constructivism

Minsk

State Library of the BSSR named after Vladimir Lenin

1932

Architect: Georgy Lavrentievich Lavrov

In 1929, when the construction of the Belarusian State Library named after Lenin (“Leninka”) began in Minsk, the project provided for the creation of a composition based on the contrast of a three-story building with reading rooms and a high-rise book depository. However, already during construction, the idea of a skyscraper was abandoned, as well as the installation of an expensive system of automatic conveyors and escalators and the creation of a winter garden with reading pavilions.

Nevertheless, Minsk "Leninka" became one of the first library construction projects in the USSR, and then, in terms of the number of copies and the value of publications, it became one of the thirty best libraries in the world. The steps of the former library remember how Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas, Vladimir Karatkevich and Vasil Bykov and hundreds of famous Belarusians climbed them.

Belarusian Radio and Television Transmitting Center

1930

Residential building

1929

Architect: G. Kavokin

State Opera and Ballet Theater of the BSSR

1938
Architects: Langbard Iosif Grigorievich, Lavrov Georgy Lavrentievich

In 1933, a large-scale construction of the building of the Minsk Theater began according to the project of the famous architect I. G. Langbard (in the style of Soviet constructivism). The construction was carried out on the site of the demolished oldest Trinity Bazaar in the city and lasted quite a long time - 5 years, and in 1937 the original plan was revised in order to reduce costs and, accordingly, the size of the building. Finally, on March 10, 1938, a new opera house was opened in Minsk.

During the German occupation of 1941-1944, the theater building was damaged - in the very first days of the Great Patriotic War, an air bomb hit it, destroying the auditorium, representatives of the occupation authorities set up stables in the dilapidated building, and the interiors and decoration of the theater were looted and taken to Germany.

After the liberation of the city by Soviet troops (1944), the theater was carefully reconstructed and completed, in particular, tiered balconies appeared in the auditorium. During restoration work inside the building, sketches by A. O. Bembel were used. The reconstruction of the premises of the Minsk Opera lasted three years and was completed in 1948. A park was organized around the theater, also designed by Langbard. The theater team, which returned immediately after the liberation of Minsk, resumed its activities, for some time gave performances in the District House of Officers.

During 1967, new restoration and construction work took place - as a result, the building received a low helmet-like roof. In 1978, a new reconstruction of the building was carried out.

Third House of Soviets ("House of the Dead")

1936

Architects: Varaksin V., Denisov L.

The building with a grocery store on the ground floor, built according to a special project in 1936, was intended for families of Red Army commanders and nomenclature workers. But in the 1940s, the name "House of the Dead" stuck behind this five-story building, and here's why.

There was a small bomb shelter under the Third House of Soviets. In the first days of the Great Patriotic War, the exit from it was blocked by the explosion of a German aerial bomb. From the acrid smoke that penetrated the dungeon, more than a hundred people died at once, mostly women and children. Their husbands and fathers also did not return under their native roof - almost all of them fell on the battlefields.

In the post-war years, officials and generals again received housing here. The prima of the opera house, People's Artist of the BSSR Sofya Druker also lived here. The apartments in this house are mostly three- and four-room apartments with high ceilings, and some even have mini-pools. The only exception is the 5th entrance - once it was intended for servants (housekeepers, drivers) of those who lived in the first four entrances - it has only two-room apartments with tiny kitchenettes.

Central Workers' Clinic

1929
Architect: Gerasim Vasilievich Yakushko

The first constructivist building in Minsk, built in the second half of the 20s, as well as the first city clinic.

This building bears pronounced features of the architectural style. The building is distinguished by good taste, balanced proportions, the unity of parts and the whole, the general laconicism of detailing inherent in constructivism.

Factory-kitchen

1935

Architect: I. Ya. Gruber

The constructivist style of the facades of the factory-kitchen is emphasized by the horizontal glazing strips of a semicircular volume and the vertical corner stained-glass window of the stairwell. Similar architectural solutions have the House of the Government of the Republic of Belarus (architect I.G. Langbard), located next to the kitchen factory. The dynamic interaction of these buildings creates a vector of movement directed towards the city.

Faculty of Geography BSU

1931
Architects: Georgy Lavrentievich Lavrov, I. K. Zaporozhets

The building is a part of the integral building of the campus in the style of constructivism with its characteristic features: simplicity of forms, asymmetry, large areas of glazing, which can also be seen in the internal interiors of the building. The "L"-shaped three-story building with two complex-shaped basement levels with a total area of 6.5 thousand m² is painted white. Its current state is somewhat different from the original idea of the architects, but in general, the exterior and interiors have been preserved.

In the 1990s, the building underwent a major overhaul and restoration of its external appearance.

House of Print

1935

The original building was erected in the style of constructivism. The oldest part of the building is U-shaped. The supporting walls of the building are made of brick, the load from reinforced concrete floors is held by reinforced concrete columns-pillars. The architectural solution of the building is based on a combination of volumes of various sizes. The main focus is the tower-like corner part with a corner loggia on the ground floor. The plane of the wing overlooking the avenue is dissected by large window openings.

Observatory of the hydrometeorological center

1934
Architect: I. I. Volodko

The building was erected in the style of constructivism. The brick building has three floors and a high basement; it is rectangular in plan with risalits and a small vestibule. The observatory is located on a hill, which is reflected in the overall stepped structure of the building. The facades are oriented to the cardinal points, the main northern facade faces Independence Avenue. The facades, devoid of decor, are cut through by large, almost square window openings. Stairwells on the side facades have continuous vertical glazing. Glazed balconies are located at the corners of the courtyard facade at the level of the 2nd and 3rd floors. The building has a corridor layout with the placement of laboratories and ancillary facilities on both sides of the corridor.