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Moisei Ginzburg's constructivist masterpiece, Narkomfin, has been attracting international attention ever since it was built in 1930. A classic example of a utopian vision of communal living that slowly backfired into state housing, the principles of its sleek design, where form followed function, were taught in architecture schools worldwide.
In the late 1980s, Narkomfin entered the world stage again, but for reasons less optimistic. The walls were crumbling and the smooth, ship-like facade had faded into an aging mess, where cladding fell away from different parts of the exterior and exposed its steel skeleton.
The building is in an even worse state today, but an exhibition of Ginzburg's work, at the Shchusev Museum of Architecture, opened with good news for preservationists. It was announced that MIAN property group would be restoring the building to its former glory and turning it into a boutique hotel. They will be working closely on the project with Alexei Ginzburg, grandson of the original designer.