Revitalizing the Heritage of Socialist Modernism: BACU’s Online Initiative to Protect Central and Eastern European Architecture – Design You Trust — Design Daily Since 2007

Revitalizing the Heritage of Socialist Modernism: BACU’s Online Initiative to Protect Central and Eastern European Architecture

Monument To The Conquerors Of Space Moscow, 1964
1

Preserving the monumental yet decaying structures of central and eastern Europe erected between 1955-91 is the mission of the online initiative, Socialist Modernism, created by the Bureau for Art and Urban Research (BACU). With an aim to revitalize this heritage, BACU believes in the significance of these elements which managed to defy some of the ideological requirements of their time, giving the urban space a distinct flavor characteristic of the socialist period.

More: Socialist Modernism, Instagram, Facebook h/t: boredpanda

”Electrification”, Stainless Steel Sculpture, Vidraru Dam 1971. Arges County, Romania
2

According to Dumitru Rusu of BACU, boulevards, public buildings, living units, and monuments are all a clear reflection of the social and cultural context of the socialist era. Therefore, BACU’s first phase involves documenting the Eastern Bloc’s architecture by mapping these socialist modernist buildings and monuments online in a community-driven tool. The team hopes to build a comprehensive database to create awareness and promote a desire to preserve these structures. The second phase of the project aims to develop regulations for their protection.

The National “Khabar” Television Studios And Administrative Offices. Almaty, Kazakhstan, Built In 1983
3

The significance of this project is evident in how preserving the past can enrich the present. These monumental structures provide a glimpse into a crucial period in history, and their preservation can help us understand the cultural and social contexts of the time. Moreover, the buildings and monuments carry a symbolic value that can evoke emotions and memories for those who lived during the socialist period.

Stone Flower, Croatia
4

As a community-driven project, Socialist Modernism also promotes engagement among people to help protect their cultural heritage. The initiative emphasizes the significance of community efforts in preserving architectural masterpieces that hold an essential place in the social and cultural fabric of the region. By encouraging public participation, BACU hopes to create awareness about the importance of preserving these structures.

The Monument To 1300 Years Of Bulgaria
5

In conclusion, Socialist Modernism is a commendable project that aims to preserve and revitalize the monumental yet decaying structures of central and eastern Europe erected between 1955-91. The initiative is a testament to the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation, which not only enriches our present but also provides insight into our past.

Bus Stop No 37, Network Of Bus Stations, Tajikistan. Built In The Late 70s
6

Housing Building On Bobur Street. Tashkent, Uzbekistan Built In 1974
7

Slovak Radio Building, Bratislava, Slovakia, Built Between 1967-1983
8

Former Ministry Of Transportation, (Now: Bank Of Georgia) Tbilisi, Georgia, Built In 1974
9

Monument To The Revolution Of The People Of Moslavina – World War II Memorial. Podgarić, Croatia Unveiled In 1967
10

The Former Wedding Cathedral, (It Was Used As A Private House, Now Event Place) Tbilisi, Georgia, Built In 1985
11

The Aul Residential Complex, Tole Bi 286/1, Almaty, Kazakhstan Built In Stages Between 1986-2002 Architects: B. Voronin, L. Andreyeva, Yu. Ratushnyi, V. Lepeshov, V. Ve, M.rakhimbayev
12

The Monument To Yu.gagarin Moscow. Russia
13

The Hall For Lectures And Cinema Of The Institute Of Scientific And Technical Information, (Aka “Kyiv Flying Saucer”) Kyiv, Ukraine. Built In 1971
14

Bas Relief Sculptural Frieze On The Facade Of The Institute Of Communications. Yerevan, Armenia. (70s)
15

Cafesjian Art Museum – Cascade, Yerevan, Armenia. Design 1975-1980 Built 1985-2000
16

Canteen For The House Of Recreation For The Writers’ Union Of Armenia Sevan Lake, Armenia, Built In 1967
17

Institute Of Robotics And Technical Cybernetics, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Built Between 1973-1986
18

Monument On Freedom Hill By Janez Lenassi In Ilirska Bistrica, Republic Of Slovenia, 1965
19

Sports And Concert Complex, Aka Hamalir Yerevan, Armenia Built Between 1976-84
20

Military Medical Academy Complex, Banjica, Belgrade, Serbia, Designed In 1973, Built In 1981
21

Experimental Residential Building In Bratislava, Slovakia, Built Between 1968-74 Architect Štefan Svetko With J. Hauskrecht
22

The Monument To Yuri Gagarin Is Located On Gagarin Square In Moscow, Russia – It Was Unveiled On July 4, 1980
23

Nova Scena Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic. Built Between 1977-1983, Architect Karel Prager
24

Bridge Of The Slovak National Uprising, Bratislava, Slovakia, Built Between 1967-1972
25

Block Of Flats, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Built In The 80s Architect Victor Breusenko
26

Hotel Salyut. Kyiv, Ukraine. Built Between 1976-1982
27

Concrete Toboggan Slide – Playground Floreasca. Floreasca Development. Bucharest, Romania. Built In 1959-1960
28

House Of Fashion, Belarus, Minsk, Built In 60’s-70’s
29

Ilinden / Makedonium – A Monument Dedicated To The Fighters And Revolutionaries Who Participated In The Ilinden Uprising Of 1903
30

The Former Memorial House Of The Bulgarian Communist Party, (Buzludzha Monument), Shipka Pass, Bulgaria, Built In 1981
31

Palace Of Weddings, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Built In 1987
32

Few Of The Many Imposing Statues Located In The Center Of The Monument To 1300 Years Of Bulgaria
33

Monument To The Uprising Of The People Of Kordun And Banija / Spomenik Ustanku Naroda Banije I Korduna Petrovac, Petrova Gora, Croatia Unveiled In 1981
34

One Of The Two Halls Of Parting, Memory Park (Kyiv/Kiev) Ukraine. Built 1968–1981
35

Hotel “Cosmos” Moscow, Russia, Built In 1979
36

Pearl Cafe, (Now Mirvari Cafe) Baku, Azerbaijan Built In 1961
37

Memorial Monument “The Defenders Of Stara Zagora” 1977. Chadir Moghila, Stara Zagora County, Bulgaria
38

Lviv Bus Terminal Stryiska 109, Lviv, Ukraine Built In 1980
39

Apartment Building On Karowa Street, Warsaw, Poland Built In 1978
40

Ferant Garden Residential Quarter Ljubljana, Slovenia, Built In 1975
41

Haludovo Resort, Malinska, Croatia, Built In 1972
42

Biotürme, Part Of Former Lauchhammer Coking Plant, (Decontamination Towers/Gdr-Heavy Industry.) Lauchhammer, 1957
43

Pantheon To The Heroes In The Serbo-Bulgarian War, Gurgulyat, Bulgaria, Built In 1985
44

Bus Stop No.12, Network Of Bus Stations, Near Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Built In The Late 70s
45

Eastern Gate Of Belgrade, Rudo Buildings, (Istočne Kapije) Belgrade, Serbia, Built In 1976, Architect: Vera Ćirković Engineer: Milutin Jerotijević
46

The Former Memorial House Of The Bulgarian Communist Party, (Buzludzha Monument), Shipka Pass, Bulgaria, Built In 1981
47

Cafe In A Railway Station – Pkp Warszawa Powiśle, (Former Ticket Booth) And Main Entrance From The Puma Building; Warsaw, Poland, Designed And Built Between 1954-1963, Architects Arseniusz Romanowicz, Piotr Szymaniak
48

Museum Of The Slovak National Uprising, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Built In 1969
49

University Of Wroclaw, Building Of The Faculty Of Mathematics And Computer Science – Facade From The Odra River, With A Mosaic By Anna Szpakowska-Kujawska. 1971. Wroclaw, Poland
50

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Design You Trust Facebook page. You won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories