The Influence of Hannes Meyer and the Bauhaus Brigade on 1930s Soviet Architecture

A study reveals that Hannes Meyer's concept of 'psychological effects' significantly influenced 1930s Soviet architecture, particularly in designs aimed at enhancing mass demonstrations. Analyzing Meyer's Greater Moscow development plan and the Bauhaus Brigade's Palace of the Soviets proposal, researchers found direct parallels with socialist realist architecture, such as the People's Commissariat of Heavy Industry. These designs incorporated skyscrapers in widened Red Square and flexible spaces with greenery to psychologically engage the Soviet population in constructing a new society. The study suggests that Meyer's early work in Weimar Germany elevated functionalism through psychological effects, which strongly shaped monumental Soviet architecture during this period.

Tomita, H., & Ishii, M. (2014). The Influence of Hannes Meyer and the Bauhaus Brigade on 1930s Soviet Architecture. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 13(1), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.13.49