Slides shown at the first meeting of the Post Socialist Russia Project.

2. Problem Statement
“Housing blocks conceived under socialism,
constructed under capitalism leads to conflicts.
The realm of the individual invades the
collective. A rise in crime and a surplus of public space
leads to insecurity, the preference of the cars over public transport leads
mono-functionality
to a lack of parking space,
and uniformity is challenged by the need for
differentiation."

3. Situation
•A large part of the world's population lives in high rise pre-fab large scale
housing projects
• most dominant region with this type of housing is the former Soviet Union;
• up to 90% of housing in Russia is pre-fab

5. Moscow St-Petersburg Novosibirsk
Norilsk Irkutsk Irkutsk

6. housing

7. urban plans

8. communal space

9. entry detail

10. Concerns. Levels of collectivity
THEORY PRACTICE
• Country. State ideology
• City ‘Abstract’ urban approach
• Living area
• Living block = neighborhood optimal level for finding practical solutions,
designing a product
• Courtyard
User-oriented approach of industrial
• Common entrance design and architecture

11. Program

12. Workshop in Moscow
1960ies 1980ies - until now
the most widespread type in Russia, meant for higher density,
human-scale to be found in all big cities,
higher challenge

13. Workshop in Moscow
1960ies 1980ies - until now
the most widespread type in Russia, meant for higher density,
human-scale to be found in all big cities,
higher challenge

14. Results
The fact that the Russian city was and still is mass produced is a problem, but also offers
an opportunity. Once you develop an approach for one area you can use it for similar
areas or buildings in other cities.
theory practice
proposals product concepts:
ideas urban furniture
project spin-off ideas fences
complementary research ideas new facades for buildings
new starting points interior improvement kits
potential collaborations for further work blind wall and roof additions
.... ...

15. Discussion
What are your (pre)-
conceptions towards “the
collective”?

16. Discussion
How does the Collective
manifest itself in your culture,
society, neighborhood?

17. Discussion
What are the gradations of
tension/conflict between the
collective and individual?

18. Exercise #2. Neighbourhood
Please take either your current or home
situation:
• What makes your neighbourhood a neighbourhood or not?
• What are the qualities it exhibits that make it a neighbourhood?
• Are these qualities good/bad/neutral?
• What are other qualities (tangible/intangible) that create
neighbourhoods?