Soviet Asia: Soviet Modernist Architecture in Central Asia

Soviet Asia explores the Soviet modernist architecture of Central Asia, featuring buildings constructed from the 1950s until the fall of the USSR. The book showcases the majestic and largely unknown modernist buildings, influenced by Persian and Islamic architecture, with grey concrete slabs juxtaposed with colorful tiling and rectilinear shapes. It is an important document due to the threat of demolition of many of these buildings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: FUEL Publishing

Soviet Asia is a captivating collection of Soviet modernist architecture in Central Asia, meticulously documented by Italian photographers Roberto Conte and Stefano Perego across former Soviet republics like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Their journey spans from the 1950s until the fall of the Soviet Union, capturing the majestic and largely unknown modernist buildings that dot the region. These photographs showcase a diverse range of structures, including museums, housing complexes, universities, circuses, and ritual palaces, all constructed with a composite aesthetic influenced by Persian and Islamic architecture.

The architects employed a unique blend of grey concrete slabs, colorful tiling, and rectilinear shapes, interspersed with ornate curved forms. This fusion of Eastern and Western elements reconstructed the brutal designs typically associated with Soviet-era architecture, infusing them with distinctive Eastern characteristics.

What makes this book particularly significant is its documentation of many buildings that were previously unseen. Despite the recent revival of interest in Brutalist and Modernist architecture, many of these structures are still at risk of demolition. The publication includes two contextual essays by Alessandro De Magistris (architect and History of Architecture professor at the University of Milan, contributor to the book Vertical Moscow) and Marco Buttino (Modern and Urban History professor at the University of Turin, specializing in the history of social change in the USSR).

These essays provide valuable insights into the architectural and historical context of the buildings featured in Soviet Asia, shedding light on the social and political factors that shaped their development. They also highlight the importance of preserving these architectural gems for future generations to appreciate and learn from.

In conclusion, Soviet Asia is a remarkable testament to the creativity and innovation of Soviet modernist architecture in Central Asia. Through the lens of Conte and Perego's photographs, we are given a glimpse into a world of majestic buildings that were once hidden from view. This book serves as an important document, raising awareness about the threats faced by these structures and advocating for their preservation. It is a must-read for anyone interested in architecture, history, and the cultural heritage of the region.

Weight: 614g
Dimension: 210 x 168 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780995745551