When I was in Moscow in the late ‘90s, there was a similar building near the American Embassy compound that was reportedly filled with essentially squatters (but property law was in such post-Soviet confusion it was hard to be sure) which we heard was also the center of disputes over its preservation, replacement, etc. The original communal collection was also reportedly long gone and clearly the original tenants had also moved on and there were the commonly expressed concerns about the stability of the Soviet era concrete used in its construction.
I love this apartment and your contextualization of it. I lived for some time in a 300sf studio apartment on the edge of Yorkville in Toronto when I was single and childless. It had it all: tiny bathroom, compact but workable kitchen, three closets, beautiful main room and vast windows that looked out into the branches of a majestic maple tree (I was on the third floor). I built a single bed into an alcove next to the kitchen, which served as both a place to sleep and as additional seating at the dining table when needed. It was absolutely glorious and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. There was a large park just beyond the doors of the building; shops and restaurants and subway and the office where I worked were all within a couple of blocks. Did I mention that it was glorious?
If I was single and my choices were to work 40 hours a week and live in a "normal" apartment or work 10 hours a week and live in an Isokon apartment I would absolutely choose the latter!
Penguin Donkey is fabulous. Various recent imitations showcased at https://www.onthebookshelf.co.uk/search?q=donkey - the isokon also had a restaurant (for menu sample see https://twitter.com/FamousMenus/status/1451463173123497985)
Thank you for this piece - I got so much joy in reading it. You have reminded me why architecture and design is so exciting.
When I was in Moscow in the late ‘90s, there was a similar building near the American Embassy compound that was reportedly filled with essentially squatters (but property law was in such post-Soviet confusion it was hard to be sure) which we heard was also the center of disputes over its preservation, replacement, etc. The original communal collection was also reportedly long gone and clearly the original tenants had also moved on and there were the commonly expressed concerns about the stability of the Soviet era concrete used in its construction.
"Isokon has been described as 'an experiment in collective housing designed for left-wing intellectuals.'"
I don't think I can even add a single word to that line - it makes its own point in many ways.
I love this apartment and your contextualization of it. I lived for some time in a 300sf studio apartment on the edge of Yorkville in Toronto when I was single and childless. It had it all: tiny bathroom, compact but workable kitchen, three closets, beautiful main room and vast windows that looked out into the branches of a majestic maple tree (I was on the third floor). I built a single bed into an alcove next to the kitchen, which served as both a place to sleep and as additional seating at the dining table when needed. It was absolutely glorious and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. There was a large park just beyond the doors of the building; shops and restaurants and subway and the office where I worked were all within a couple of blocks. Did I mention that it was glorious?
If I was single and my choices were to work 40 hours a week and live in a "normal" apartment or work 10 hours a week and live in an Isokon apartment I would absolutely choose the latter!
Wonderful article on a very interesting project. Thank you!
Wonderful article, I look forward to your research on Coates.