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By any standard, Melnikov House is one of the architectural masterpieces of the 20th century. Located in the Arbat, a once aristocratic quarter of Moscow, an area which was largely rebuilt after the Napoleonic fire of 1812. Melnikov's house is set well back from the street, a building of both Futurist and Classical consisting of two interlocking cylinders, the rear one taller than the front and pierced with some sixty windows: identical elongated hexagons with Constructivist glazing bars.
The cylinders are built of brick covered with stucco in the manner of Russian churches. On the front facade above the architrave are the words KONSTANTIN MELNIKOV ARKHITECTOR.
Melnikov is known to have studied the utopian projects of Boulee and Ledoux, both of whom designed cylindrical buildings.
Many believe it to be the peak of the renowned architect's creative work. Like Le Corbusier, Melnikov was a 'poet' of reinforced concrete.
How to visit Melnikov house:
Melnikov's House located at 10 Krivoarbatsky Lane, Moscow, Russia. The house is on a small lane running parallel to the Arbat. About midway along the Arbat, on the south side, look for Krivoarbatsky Pereulok. Go down this lane round to the right to find the house.
The home is currenlty not open to the public.
