Konstantin Melnikov (1890–1974) was a leading Russian architect and one of the most distinctive voices of the Soviet avant-garde. Although his most active period lasted only through the 1920s and early 1930s, he created some of the era’s most innovative and recognizable buildings.
Melnikov trained at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. After the Russian Revolution, a brief period of artistic freedom allowed architects to experiment, and Melnikov developed a style that stood apart from the more rigid approaches of his peers. Instead of following strict Constructivist rules, he focused on bold geometry, expressive shapes, and designs that were both practical and visually striking.
