Description
Discover the captivating history of Moscow's iconic Stalinist skyscrapers with 'Moscow Monumental.' This exceptional book delves into the architectural transformation that reshaped the city during the early Cold War years. As steel girders rose, the skyline was forever altered, reflecting the ambition and grandeur of Stalinist society. In this detailed exploration, author Katherine Zubovich utilizes extensive archival research to uncover the intricate decisions made by Soviet elites, from high-ranking leaders to visionary architects, that led to this monumental construction project.
Immerse yourself in the experiences of everyday Muscovites who were profoundly impacted by the sweeping changes as thousands were evicted and rehoused to make way for these awe-inspiring structures. The seven majestic neoclassical buildings, completed in the mid-1950s, became symbols of power and prestige, serving as luxury hotels, elite apartments, and government headquarters.
'Moscow Monumental' bridges local experiences with broader transnational narratives, connecting the vibrant streets of interwar Moscow and New York to the marble-clad grandeur of the still-dominant architectural heritage in contemporary Russia. This book is essential for anyone interested in Soviet history, architectural studies, and urban planning.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780691178905. Format: Trade binding. Year: 2021. Publisher: Princeton University Press.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691178905
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
An in-depth history of the Stalinist skyscraper
In the early years of the Cold War, the skyline of Moscow was forever transformed by a citywide skyscraper building project. As the steel girders of the monumental towers went up, the centuries-old metropolis was reinvented to embody the greatness of Stalinist society. Moscow Monumental explores how the quintessential architectural works of the late Stalin era fundamentally reshaped daily life in the Soviet capital.
Drawing on a wealth of original archival research, Katherine Zubovich examines the decisions and actions of Soviet elites-from top leaders to master architects-and describes the experiences of ordinary Muscovites who found their lives uprooted by the ambitious skyscraper project. She shows how the Stalin-era quest for monumentalism was rooted in the Soviet Union's engagement with Western trends in architecture and planning, and how the skyscrapers required the creation of a vast and complex infrastructure. As laborers flooded into the city, authorities evicted and rehoused tens of thousands of city residents living on the plots selected for development. When completed in the mid-1950s, these seven ornate neoclassical buildings served as elite apartment complexes, luxury hotels, and ministry and university headquarters.
Moscow Monumental tells a story that is both local and broadly transnational, taking readers from the streets of interwar Moscow and New York to the marble-clad halls of the bombastic postwar structures that continue to define the Russian capital today.
Immerse yourself in the experiences of everyday Muscovites who were profoundly impacted by the sweeping changes as thousands were evicted and rehoused to make way for these awe-inspiring structures. The seven majestic neoclassical buildings, completed in the mid-1950s, became symbols of power and prestige, serving as luxury hotels, elite apartments, and government headquarters.
'Moscow Monumental' bridges local experiences with broader transnational narratives, connecting the vibrant streets of interwar Moscow and New York to the marble-clad grandeur of the still-dominant architectural heritage in contemporary Russia. This book is essential for anyone interested in Soviet history, architectural studies, and urban planning.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780691178905. Format: Trade binding. Year: 2021. Publisher: Princeton University Press.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691178905
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
An in-depth history of the Stalinist skyscraper
In the early years of the Cold War, the skyline of Moscow was forever transformed by a citywide skyscraper building project. As the steel girders of the monumental towers went up, the centuries-old metropolis was reinvented to embody the greatness of Stalinist society. Moscow Monumental explores how the quintessential architectural works of the late Stalin era fundamentally reshaped daily life in the Soviet capital.
Drawing on a wealth of original archival research, Katherine Zubovich examines the decisions and actions of Soviet elites-from top leaders to master architects-and describes the experiences of ordinary Muscovites who found their lives uprooted by the ambitious skyscraper project. She shows how the Stalin-era quest for monumentalism was rooted in the Soviet Union's engagement with Western trends in architecture and planning, and how the skyscrapers required the creation of a vast and complex infrastructure. As laborers flooded into the city, authorities evicted and rehoused tens of thousands of city residents living on the plots selected for development. When completed in the mid-1950s, these seven ornate neoclassical buildings served as elite apartment complexes, luxury hotels, and ministry and university headquarters.
Moscow Monumental tells a story that is both local and broadly transnational, taking readers from the streets of interwar Moscow and New York to the marble-clad halls of the bombastic postwar structures that continue to define the Russian capital today.