Recreation of a 1925 Workers’ Club epitomises constructivist and Soviet design codes
The Art Russe Foundation and Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Industrial and Applied Arts’ Furniture Design Department faithfully reproduce the original uncluttered design
Founder of constructivism, painter and graphic artist Alexander Rodchenko originally designed the Workers’ Club of the USSR as a part of the Soviet Pavilion; it made its debut at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, with its clean, uncluttered design and starkly graphic form quickly defining the parameters of early Soviet design.
Now, students and alumni at the Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Industrial and Applied Arts’ Furniture Design Department have recreated the Workers’ Club as part of an agreement with the Art Russe Foundation. The group utilised drawings and sketches from the Alexander Rodchenko family archives, made available by the artist’s grandson and Stroganov Academy professor Alexander Lavrentyev, when creating the interior, which has been designed as a functioning and usable space.
Workers’ Club recreated by and for furniture design students
Familiar features from the original have been faithfully recreated using materials and techniques available in the early 20th century. The chess table is brought to life by furniture designer Nikolai Golikov and comes complete with constructivist wooden chess pieces designed in 1976 by Lavrentyev and his wife Irina Vasnetsova. A photo stand with hexagonal detailing, convertible desks and bookshelves are also authentically reproduced.
‘In many respects, the goals and objectives of the Workers’ Club as an institution are aligned with those of an educational cluster, which, in essence is what a department of a higher educational institution is, especially one related to design,’ says head of the Stroganov Academy Furniture Design Department and project participant Kirill Cheburashkin. ‘Our Workers’ Club is a living space where students study and relax. We now have a unique opportunity to observe and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the recreated club. And, as professionals, to seek compromise solutions between authentic aesthetics and modern functional requirements for administrative and educational space. The project was intended to enable realisation of a beautiful, century-old utopia that has become a hallmark of Soviet furniture design.’
The reproduced Workers’ Club will remain at the Stroganov Academy, while a second version has been shipped to France to join the Russian art collection at Château la Grâce Dieu des Prieurs in Saint-Émilion.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
LEVC’s L380 is a truly magnificent minivan
The London Electric Vehicle Company’s L380, is a magnificent minivan designed for upscale long-distance travel, as the maker of the London Taxi branches out into all-purpose EVs
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Enjoy ocean and jungle bliss at Bespoke Tulum’s residences in Mexico
Bespoke Tulum is an exclusive hospitality complex designed by Muro Rojo Arquitectura on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
In Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery, the archival meets the au courant
Van Cleef & Arpels pays tribute to its rich heritage with a captivating high jewellery collection
By Hannah Silver Published