italian photographers, roberto conte and stefano perego, have travelled across the former USSR to capture modernist architecture of the era for a new photobook entitled, ‘soviet asia’. soon to released on april 18th, the publication takes readers on a journey through the former soviet states of kazakhstan, kyrgyszstan, uzbekistan and tajikistan, detailing the buildings constructed from the 1950s until the fall of the USSR.

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom
aul housing complex (1986), almaty, kazakhstan

image © roberto conte, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

(main image: chorsu bazaar (1980), tashkent, uzbekistan © stefano perego, from soviet asia, published by FUEL)

 

 

within the ‘soviet asia‘ book, conte and perego showcase a wide collection of modernist buildings from the former soviet union region which they have explored. from university buildings to museums and residential complexes, the architecture can be characterized by the use of concrete and the extravagant style which embellish structures. 

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

residential buildings (1980s), tashkent, uzbekistan

image © roberto conte, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

 

 

what can also be seen throughout the series of images is the influence from both persian and islamic architecture. the use of decorative mosaics and patterns, on the otherwise grey architecture, provides a sense of ornateness, while curved forms reconstruct the brutal designs normally associated with soviet-era architecture with eastern characteristics.

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom
state academic russian theatre for children and young people (former palace of culture AHBK) (1981), almaty, kazakhstan

image © roberto conte, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

 

 

in addition to the collection of photograpgh, the publication by FUEL also includes two contextual essays. the first by alessandro de magistris (author, architect and history of architecture professor, polytechnic university of milan). the second by marco buttino (modern history and urban history professor, university of turin, expert of history of social change in central asia and russia).

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom
drilling tool plant (1980s), samarkand, uzbekistan

image © stefano perego, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

TV and radio building (1983), almaty, kazakhstan

image © stefano perego, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

al-farabi kazakh national university (1970s), almaty, kazakhstan

image © roberto conte, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom
avicenna mosaic (1988), dushanbe, tajikistan

image © roberto conte, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

lenin monument (1965), istaravshan, tajikistan

image © stefano perego, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

hotel uzbekistan (1974), tashkent, uzbekistan

image © stefano perego, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

exhibition hall of the uzbek union of artists (1974), tashkent, uzbekistan

image © stefano perego, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

circus (1976), tashkent, uzbekistan

image © roberto conte, from soviet asia, published by FUEL

'soviet asia' by conte and perego depicts the modernist architecture of the USSR designboom

cover of the soviet asia photobook

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘soviet asia’

photography: roberto conte and stefano perego

publisher: FUEL

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom