During my last trip to Moscow, I decided to take a stroll in VDNKh and also check out an unusual building on Prospekt Mira, often referred to as the "house on stilts." The structure earned its name because its main part is elevated above the ground on massive supports.
How to Get There by Metro
The address of the house is Prospekt Mira, 184, building 2. The closest metro station is "VDNKh," and it takes about 15 minutes to walk from there.
This house is residential, and it's likely that an ordinary passerby won't be able to enter, but you can walk around the building to admire its unique shapes. There are plenty of interesting sights in this area. After exploring the building, for example, you can take a walk to the Rostokino Aqueduct, which I wrote about not long ago.
A Bit of History
The unusual building was constructed in 1968. The project was designed by architects V. Andreev and T. Zaikin. The house has 25 floors, three entrances, and 480 apartments. Due to its distinctive form, the building is often referred to as the "house on chicken legs."
According to Moscow tour guides, there are several versions of the origin of this unusual project. According to one, the space under the house helped to expel exhaust gases from Prospekt Mira. According to another, in my opinion, highly unlikely assumption, the massive supports helped the house withstand earthquakes. I wouldn't dwell on the reasons for the appearance of such a structure, as we all know numerous examples of the realization of the boldest architectural ideas that were not tied to rational necessity.
The house on Prospekt Mira was the first large-panel building, parts of which were connected by special bolts. According to internet comments, its features also included non-standard apartment layouts with no through rooms and low ceilings. Interestingly, the upper part of the house was built quite quickly: one floor could be constructed in a week.
Have a nice trip!
