USSR Pavilion at the 1925 Paris Exposition by Konstantin Melnikov

The USSR Pavilion, designed by Konstantin Melnikov for the 1925 Paris Exposition, was a striking statement of Soviet architectural ambition and innovation. Situated within the bustling grounds of the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, the pavilion stood out with its bold, angular form, embodying the ideals of a new Soviet aesthetic. Melnikov, an avant-garde architect, used this temporary structure to showcase not just the art and industry of the USSR, but also the emerging architectural language of the Soviet avant-garde, which sought to break from traditional forms and express the dynamic, revolutionary spirit of the times. The pavilion’s design was daring in its simplicity and asymmetry. Constructed primarily from wood, a practical choice given the limited budget and time constraints, the building was conceived as a geometric composition of intersecting triangles and diagonals. The most dramatic feature was the pavilion’s steep, angular roof, which appeared to slice th