Many different branches of modernist architecture exist, from Art Deco and constructivism to expressionism and metabolism. However, not all 20th-century buildings get the care and attention they might deserve. Enter, stage left, what’s known as socialist modernism?brutalist buildings erected in Eastern Europe during the Cold War, right up to the fall of the Soviet Union.
It is imposing grey monoliths. Functional yet also possessing gorgeous but deeply bizarre designs. These are just some of the ways that you can describe these buildings. We’ve collected some of the most impressive examples of socialist modernism designs from the r/SocialistModernism and r/SocialistModernism1 online communities to share them with you. Scroll down, upvote the pics that impressed you the most, and let us know if you’ve seen any of these architectural marvels in person. 01. Prefabricated Elephant Slide In Dresden, East Germany, CCA 1965
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02. Spodek (“Saucer”) Multipurpose Arena Complex In Katowice, Poland. Built In 1971
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03. Military Medical Academy Complex – Belgrade, Serbia
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Modernist architecture focuses on minimalist, functional designs that reject over-the-top decorations. These buildings are also defined by the materials used: glass, steel, and reinforced concrete.
But with so many different ‘flavors’ of modernism, no two architectural subgenres are precisely alike, even if they overlap significantly. Socialist modernism, f...