Museum of the Soviet Avant-garde in the historical quarter
Albina Ledneva
student
Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (NNGASU)
Russian Federation
Architecture
During the reconstruction of the historical quarter in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, it was decided to give one site for a museum. The building of the… more
Jing Chen
advisor
Washington University in Saint Louis
United States of America
My architectural practice focuses on public and educational buildings, with a strong emphasis on… more
However, the most distinctive feature of this particular scheme is its Fragmented Façade Composition, wherein white solid masses are broken by vertical fins and recessed zones. This particular technique has been effective in distilling the Soviet avant-garde idiom into a modern architectonic style, thus giving the museum a distinct identity without resorting to a more historical, literal form. There is a good balance between the seemingly rhythmic movement and the static presence of the structure within its built environment.
However, this façade-centric concept is not without its flaws either. While the composition is dominated by façade logic—a language that is as expressive as possible—the interior spaces that are defined by a different type of order seem relatively conventional in comparison. It might be useful to strengthen the connection between façade order and interior experience by unleashing more dramatic section experiences or by creating continuity in order to enable a more immersive experience for the building.
09.01.2026
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