Modernists Abroad

Gosstrach Apartment Complex; Moscow, USSR

In 1926, after visiting the apartment of Russian writer Sergei Tretyakov in the Gosstrach building, Alfred Barr wrote in his diary:

“He lives in one of the four modern buildings in Moscow—an apartment house built in the Corbusier-Gropius style. But only the superficials are modern, for the plumbing, heating, etc., are technically very crude and cheap, a comedy of the strong modern inclination without any technical tradition.”

Gosstrach was designed in 1926 by Moisei Ginzburg, who was trained in Milan and was influenced by the work of Le Corbusier.

Below is a chair designed by another Russian also showing the influence of Le Corbusier.

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The collection
Chair with swirling tubular-steel frame and a shaped black seat cushion.
1927
Designed by
Vladimir Tatlin (1885-1953)
Material
Chromium-plated steel, leather
Produced by
Nikol Internationale, Italy
Dimensions
77.5 x 67.5 x 67.5 cm