Rusakov Workers' Club

The Rusakov Workers' Club is the most innovative of the Workers' Club built by Melnikov and it's considered a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. The functional programme of Workers' Clubs (auditorium, meeting rooms, theatre, cinema, study rooms...) establishes a new architectural typology, Melnikov conceives the clubs as a system of different sized rooms that can be united or separated according to the requirements of the events. The revolutionary volumetry of Rusakov is born of this Melnikov's conception. The wedge-shaped plan fans out two levels of rooms, focused all on the main stage. The three staggered rooms of the upper level are cantilevered built and their volumes make up the dynamic outward appearance. The two remaining triangles between the rooms house the stairs, their vertical glazed strips on façade are in contrast to the white massive cantilevered volumes. The exterior gangplank and stairs serve as fire escapes and complete the composition creating a socle.