The only private house built during the Soviet period, the home of Konstantin Melnikov stands as testament to the innovation of the Russian avant-garde. The architect created his unusual home from two interlocking cylinders – an ingenious design that employs no internal load-bearing wall. It was also experimental in its designation of living space, as the whole family slept in one room, divided by narrow wall screens.
The future of Melnikov House is in jeopardy due to the corrosion caused by construction in the surrounding area. Family members are working with the Russian Avantgarde Heritage Preservation Foundation to turn the house into a state-run museum (and thus guarantee its preservation), but the process has been tied up in court for years due to ownership disputes.
