nikolaev rostislav imagines narkomfin 85 years later

nikolaev rostislav imagines narkomfin 85 years later
all visuals © archirost

the ‘narkomfin’ building isn’t anything new, in fact it’s quite the opposite. the structure was built in 1930 by architects moses ginzburg and ignatius milinis for the workers of the USSR’s peoples’ commissariat of finance. as a building itself, it’s a clear testament to the avant-garde of early 20th century soviet architecture. however, what’s curious about ‘narkomfin’ is the lifestyle ginsburg designed along with it. 

3D rendering 

essentially, it was life in a labor commune. more time was devoted to work, therefore turning leisure time in to a series of simplified routines designed for maximum efficiency. it was an ambitious project of collectivism, one that unfortunately for ginsburg, the people of moscow weren’t remotely interested in. initially, the plan was to be completed in two stages of construction; though only the first was ever realized. 

the computer images features a modern, manicured landscape 

architect and design nikolaev rostislav decided to find out what it would look like had the whole complex been constructed. the finished building is reconstructed exactly as designed. for the second, unrealized phase, he takes some small liberties including modern landscaping and paving. the project contemplates both what the building, and life, might look like had ‘narkomfin’ succeeded. 

flowers and support beams 

detail of wall texture 

from afar, featuring glass encased staircase 

‘narkomfin’ 

large lettering hovers above the roofline 

various residences 

sidewalk 

the original structure was built in 1930 

runners pass by the idealized building 

designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom