Melnikov_Cover_02

Pavel Kuznetsov, Marianne Burkhalter, Christian Sumi (eds.)

Melnikov: An Investigation Through Architectural Models

The architecture of the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s was integral to shaping twentieth century modernism. Russian architect Konstantin Melnikov (1890–1974) was a key figure of this movement, with many of his realized projects becoming icons of modernism. Because he refused to conform to architectural standards after Stalin’s cultural turn in 1932, his works were largely forgotten for several decades. He was rehabilitated and received public recognition for his imaginative constructions only a few years prior to his death in 1974.

This publication presents models of Konstantin Melnikov’s built and unbuilt works, created under the direction of Pavel Kuznetsov by the students of the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio. The models are accompanied by photographs, sketches and project descriptions expanding on Melnikov’s work. An essay by Pavel Kuznetsov situates the architect in his historical context, shedding light on an under-appreciated figure of architectural history.

The architecture of the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s was integral to shaping twentieth century modernism. Russian architect Konstantin Melnikov (1890–1974) was a key figure of this movement, with many of his realized projects becoming icons of modernism. Because he refused to conform to architectural standards after Stalin’s cultural turn in 1932, his works were largely forgotten for several decades. He was rehabilitated and received public recognition for his imaginative constructions only a few years prior to his death in 1974.

This publication presents models of Konstantin Melnikov’s built and unbuilt works, created under the direction of Pavel Kuznetsov by the students of the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio. The models are accompanied by photographs, sketches and project descriptions expanding on Melnikov’s work. An essay by Pavel Kuznetsov situates the architect in his historical context, shedding light on an under-appreciated figure of architectural history.

Edited by Marianne Burkhalter, Christian Sumi, Pavel Kuznetsov

Design: Lars Müller Publishers

16,5 × 24 cm, 6 ½ × 9 ½ in

160 pages, 150 illustrations

paperback

2025, 978-3-03778-803-5, English
CHF 25.00
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Marianne Burkhalter

Marianne Burkhalter

Marianne Burkhalter has worked as an architect in Florence (Superstudio), New York and Los Angeles (Studio Works) and was an auditor at the University of Princeton. She has taught at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC) in Los Angeles and at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Together, Christian Sumi and Marianne Burkhalter founded burkhalter sumi architects in 1984 and their own joint studio in 2021. From 2008 to 2016, they held a shared professorship at the Accademia di Architettura Mendrisio (AAM). In 2024, Christian Sumi and Marianne Burkhalter received the Prix Meret Oppenheim.

Christian Sumi

Christian Sumi

Christian Sumi studied at the ETH Zurich. He has worked for the Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture (gta) and taught at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, EPFL Lausanne and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

Together, Christian Sumi and Marianne Burkhalter founded burkhalter sumi architects in 1984 and their own joint studio in 2021. From 2008 to 2016, they held a shared professorship at the Accademia di Architettura Mendrisio (AAM). In 2024, Christian Sumi and Marianne Burkhalter received the Prix Meret Oppenheim.