Architecture of the Future?

A critical reassessment of Soviet-era modernist architecture reveals that its aesthetic appeal, from brutalist concrete to 'socmod chic,' often obscures its socialist roots. Hatherley's analysis challenges the prevailing narrative by asking whether these structures retain any ideological significance beyond their visual charm. The study examines works across Central Asia and Eastern Europe, employing a comparative approach to dissect the interplay between modernity and tradition in socialist architecture. This research underscores the need for deeper contextual understanding beyond superficial trends, highlighting how architectural legacies are reinterpreted in contemporary discourse.

Hatherley, O. (2025). Architecture of the Future? New Left Review, 2(155), 73–101. https://doi.org/10.64590/o8t