Paper Architecture Movement Emerged in Late 1980s Russia as Protest Against Soviet Standardization
In the late 1980s, a group of young architects in Russia launched the "paper architecture" movement as a critique of the corruption and ideological emptiness in state architecture. Their designs often included ironic neo-constructivist elements. Notable works from this period include Yuri Avvakumov's Tower of Perestroika (1990), which drew inspiration from the monuments of Tatlin and Mukhina. Igor Khatuntsev produced Cathedral (1991) and later envisioned a cloud-shaped skyscraper (1992) and "The Robot Factory" (1993). The movement, influenced by Tengiz Abuladze's 1987 film Repentance, employed symbols such as "the light at the end of the tunnel." Following perestroika, many architects relocated to the West. In the early 1990s, Moscow laid off 40% of its architects, prompting some to cater to affluent clients. By 1999, former paper architects engaged in discussions to foster professional culture.
Key facts
- The paper architecture movement began in the late 1980s as a protest against Soviet architectural norms.
- Yuri Avvakumov designed the Tower of Perestroika in 1990, referencing Tatlin and Mukhina's works.
- Igor Khatuntsev created Cathedral in 1991 and later designs like a cloud-shaped skyscraper in 1992.
- Many paper architects resettled in the West or worked for wealthy "new Russians" after perestroika.
- Moscow dismissed 40% of its architects in the early 1990s, leading to studio closures and competition.
- Boris Yeltsin's nationalist call in the late 1980s shifted architecture toward Russian traditions and historicism.
- The McDonald's Headquarters in Moscow was completed in 1993, and the Nautilus Co. shopping center in 1998/99.
- Former paper architects held roundtable talks in 1999 to discuss professional culture and client demands.
Entities
Artists
- Anna Sokolina
- Yuri Avvakumov
- Vladimir Tatlin
- Igor Khatuntsev
- Tengiz Abuladze
- Alexey Bavykin
- Sergei Kiselev
- Evgeni Krupin
- Andrei Miroshin
- Evgeni Velichkin
- Nikolai Golovanov
- Boris Yeltsin
- Hans Hollein
- James Sterling
- Alexey Vorontsov
- Evgeni Ass
- Alexander Asadov
- Boris Levyant
- Mikhail Tumarkin
- Vera Mukhina
Institutions
- Russian Museum
- Moscow Architectural Institute
- Central Academic Research Institute for Theory of Architecture and Urban Design
- A&A Workshops
- ABV Group
- General Architectural Planning Department of Moscow
- ABD+SPGA
- Urban Design Studies
- Rizzoli
- Der Architekt
- Kommune
- Bauwelt
- ARTMargins Online
Locations
- New York
- Soviet Union
- Russia
- Moscow
- St. Petersburg
- Leningrad
- Cologne
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Switzerland
- Germany