Melnikov House

Lonely Planet review

Dating from 1927-1929, this was the only private house built under Communism. The plot of land was granted thanks to a rare moment of cultural vision on behalf of the authorities. The architect Melnikov created his new home from two interlocking cylinders.

The house was experimental also in its designation of living space. The whole family slept in one room, painted a golden yellow and divided by narrow wall screens. Melnikov softened the corners in the room, even those on the hexagonal windows, to create a soothing environment for peaceful sleep.

This house, an icon of the Russian Avant Garde is still intact and is inhabited by Viktor Melnikov, 91, the architect's son. Although blind, Viktor is a tireless guide and carrier of his father's vision. He has tried to keep the house exactly as it was when his father lived there, down to the tubes of paint scattered across his desk. Viktor sometimes shows around visitors who ring the bell, but due to his age and blindness, a tour is not always guaranteed.

This seminal work of architecture underwent restoration in the 1990s. However, the work was poorly executed and the house has been suffering from the after-effects ever since. The Moscow Architectural Preservation Society (MAPS) nominated this structure to the 2006 WMF Watch List. The organisation is presently raising money with the WMF for emergency repairs, while Viktor is trying to persuade the Culture Ministry to make the house-studio into a museum in his father's honour, and to undo the harm of previous preservation work.