Devichye Pole Park

Kauchuk Factory Club

Kauchuk Factory Club constructed in 1927 - 1929 is a public building designed by Konstantin Melnikov.  Kauchuk rubber factory, originally based in Riga, relocated to Khamovniki District in Moscow in 1915, threatened by German offensive, and was considerably expanded afterwards.  Kauchuk Club is shaped as simple quarter of cylinder, housing a 800 seat theatre hall with two balcony levels.  Melnikov's trademark exterior  stairs (now under restoration ) were never intended for regular use, they are actually fire escapes connected to the second floor lobby.

Rusakov Workers' Club

The Rusakov Workers' Club is a great example of Constructivist architecture.  Designed by Konstantin Melnikov, it was constructed in 1927 / 1928.  The club is built on a fan-shaped plan, with three cantilevered concrete seating areas rising above the base.  Each of these volumes can be used as separate auditorium, and combined they result in a capacity of over 1,000 people.  At the rear of the building are more conventional offices.  The function of the building is to some extent expressed in the exterior, which Melnikov described as a  "tensed muscle".  I love this building very much.