Evolution of prefabricated housing in a regional center, Kalu- ga, during the Soviet Era
D. Badmaev (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Ivan Nevzgodin – Mentor (TU Delft - Heritage & Architecture)
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Abstract
This research explores the evolution of prefabricated mass housing in Kaluga, Russia, between 1955 and 1991, a period marked by urgent post-World War II housing needs and significant ideological shifts within Soviet architecture. The study systematically investigates the distinct urban development strategies and architectural modifications implemented in Kaluga’s prefabricated housing series, categorising them into three generations. This paper proves the findings, that indicate progressive improvements in living standards, such as increased apartment sizes, larger kitchens, improved structural elements, and enhanced façade complexity. Notably, local architects creatively utilised decorative motifs inspired by regional embroidery, introducing distinctive visual diversity despite strict standardisation constraints. However, economic and planning challenges limited comprehensive urban realisation, resulting in fragment- ed city development. Today, these aging prefabricated buildings, exceeding their intended lifespan, pose urban planning and heritage preservation dilemmas. This study underscores the necessity to document and preserve certain structures due architectural significance, highlighting the impact of Soviet-era urban planning on contem- porary urban landscapes.