CONSTRUCTIVISM (1913)- Design

• Constructivism was first created in Russia in 1913, by Valdimir Tatlin.

•The Term constructivism is used to define nonrepresentational relief construction, • The first cylindrical volume sitting slightly lower in
sculpture, kinetics, and painting. height than the rear cylinder faces the street and
• An underlying feature of constructivism is that it was promoted by the new soviet features a glazed curtain wall incorporating the main
education commissariat which used artists and art to educate the public. entry.
• It was an expression which meant the use of machine made parts was the basis of • Located in the rear is the iconic portion of the house
architecture. with numerous hexagonal windows perforating the
façade.
Constructivist art-
• The third floor houses his studio space in a double
• Constructivist art is characterized by a total abstraction and an acceptance of
height room in the rear cylinder.
everything modern. It is often very geometric, it is usually experimental, and is
• Visually distinct from the others, this double height
rarely emotional.
space is embraced by light penetrating through the
• Objective forms and icons were used over the subjective or the individual. The art
numerous hexagonal windows.
is often very simple and reduced, paring the artwork down to its basic elements.
First Floor Second Floor Third Floor
• Constructivist art had attempted to apply a three dimensional cubist vision to
wholly abstract non objective 'constructions‘. Interior- • Interior layout functions efficiently, with the majority of
• Constructivist art began with works of primarily abstract constructions.
Constructivist architecture- living spaces such as kitchen and bathroom located on the
• Constructivist architecture was a form of modern architecture that flourished in main floor.
the soviet union in the 1920s and early 1930s. • An upward spiral of movement exposes the diversity of
• It combined advanced technology and engineering with an avowedly communist spaces from low height ground plane, to a double height
social purpose. Although it was divided into several competing factions, the studio space and rooftop terrace.
movement produced many pioneering projects and finished buildings, before falling • A winding staircase leads to the second floor where the
out of favour around 1932. bedrooms and living room are located. Interestingly, the
•After the Russian revolution of 1917 it turned its attentions to the new social bedrooms located in the rear portion are not entirely
demands and industrial tasks required of the new regime. separated from each other.
Artists/architects- • Melnikov delineates space through partial walls that serve to
define specific areas, while maintaining a quasi-open plan
• Naum gabo - (1890-1977)
that allows sunlight to flood the interior.
• El lissitzky - (1890-1941)
• The space defines and lends credence to his ability to create
• Konstantin melnikov - (1890-1974)
experiential spaces that employ non-materials – light and
• Aleksandr rodchenko - (1891-1956)
shadow – in the overall design.
• Varvara stepanova - (1894-1958) Interior of Living Room
•
•
Vladimir tatlin - (1885-1953)
Vesnin brothers
Exterior
• Exterior walls finished with white plaster are
constructed in a honeycomb latticework using local
Melnikov Tatlin Zuev Worker’s
Melnikov House- house Tower Club
brick.
•This method employed minimal material while ensuring
Artist & Architect : Konstantin Melnikov an efficient and rigid structure.
Location : Moscow, Russia • The shapes of the windows are a direct result of the
Style :Constructivism honeycomb structure, with the angles determined by
• The Melnikov House is a classic residence that represents the forefront of the quarter lengths of the standard local bricks.
1920’s Russian avant-garde.. • Nearly 60 hexagonal windows employing nine types of
• Moscow on an open lot, its aesthetics differ dramatically from traditional Soviet frames establish the aesthetic quality of the rear
residential architecture. cylinder, showering the interior with light.
• The concept evolved from his schematic draft for the Zuev Workers Club. It •The manner of structure and glazing system employed
features two interlocking cylindrical volumes standing three stories high with Section of the house Hexagonal window also eliminated the need for structural lintels or sills.
enough space to house his family, and his painting and architectural studio spaces.
• Melnikov incorporated an efficient typology for constructing the structure with • Voids that were not glazed in the honeycomb structure were filled with clay and scraps, adding mass to a
limited resources, whilst simultaneously allowing him the opportunity to carry out wall system that helps to mitigate the extreme temperature differentials of summer and winter.
his creative vision. • Interior spaces are allowed to run the full diameter uninterrupted, as the exterior walls function as the load
• Reasoning for the cylindrical shape was founded in his belief that they provided bearing members.
for an economy of material. • Melnikov also employed an innovative technique for a self-reinforcing orthotropic wooden plank flooring
system, absentee of any internal column support.

MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Mahak Gupta Sign Sheet No
14 arch 014 1
B.arch 3 YEAR Date
A.C.A, Agra 20/03/17