In the southwest of Moscow, not far from the city center, there is a unique neighborhood known as the 9th Microdistrict of Novye Cheryomushki. Despite the incredible pace of modern development in the Russian capital, this area still exudes the cozy atmosphere of a bygone era: the microdistrict is filled with Soviet-era buildings. An observant tourist might notice a peculiar feature of these structures: externally similar buildings differ from each other, if only slightly. This is because all the houses in the neighborhood were built during an experiment aimed at identifying the ideal configuration for mass-accessible housing for the Soviet people.
A Bit of History
The construction of the experimental neighborhood was linked to the urgent need to address the housing problems of the country. It was envisioned that housing for the ever-growing urban population should be both economical and comfortable. Cheryomushki served as a testing ground for new construction materials, apartment layouts, and configurations of residential microdistricts. The experience gained from building this neighborhood was often applied to construction projects throughout the Soviet Union.
A competition to create the best design for a residential building was held in 1956. At the same time, Cheryomushki became a district for experimental construction, aimed at testing the research findings in practice. The residential quarter included 13 four-story buildings and three eight-story towers. The buildings in Cheryomushki were assembled in 52 days, and the final finishing touches were to be completed by the hundredth day from the start of construction. The microdistrict was designed to accommodate 3000 people.
Experiments in Cheryomushki touched on various aspects of the Soviet people's daily life. For example, some types of apartments were equipped with an astonishing device, which combined the functions of a sitting bath, shower tray, sink, bidet, and laundry basin – a marvel for the contemporary reader. Interesting innovations also appeared in the courtyards of the buildings, such as splash pools, which, by the way, have survived to the present day.
The eight-story buildings in Cheryomushki were recognized as the best. An additional floor was added to them, and subsequently, these buildings were put into mass production. The experience of constructing four-story buildings was also used in further mass construction.
Today, the territory of this unique microdistrict is open for visits, and anyone interested can connect with its history. The quarter is located not far from the "Akademicheskaya" metro station, and the addresses of its buildings are as follows: Prospekt 60-letiya Oktyabrya, 21, buildings 1 and 2; 23, buildings 1 and 2; 25, buildings 1 and 2; 27, buildings 1 and 2; 29, building 1; 31/18, buildings 1, 2, and 3; Ulitsa Grimaux, 14, 16; Ulitsa Shvernika, 2, buildings 1 and 2.
Have a nice trip!
