Current State | Melnikov House Museum

Situation with Melnikov's House

Melnikov's House located at 10 Krivoarbatsky Lane, Moscow, Russia, was built in 1927-29. The House in a unique architectural monument and a cultural heritage property of the regional significance. Said status of the house is certified by the Moscow City Soviet Resolution of March 23, 1987 No. 647.

Melnikov's House is a two-story building with a basement; its total area is 257 square meters. It is made of brick, the floors and ceilings are wooden.

At present the rate of the House's wear is assessed as high. There is a threat of the building collapse – due to the complicated geological conditions of the underlying land plot and because of the active construction work started right nearby.

In 1974, after Konstantin Melnikov's death the House was divided between the architect's heirs – his son Viktor Melnikov and his daughter Lyudmila Melnikova.

Russian Avantgarde Foundation holds the title to one-half of Melnikov's House. The title has been acquired from Lyudmila Melnikova's heirs who are interested in establishing the Architect Melnikov's House Museum as soon as possible.

The other half of the building is in the process of inheritance litigation. As a result of the litigation conclusion the title to one-eighth of the House can pass to Elena Melnikova (Melnikov's granddaughter), the title to another one-eighth can pass to Ekaterina Karinskaya (also Melnikov's granddaughter), the title to one-fourth of the building can pass to the Russian State (under certain conditions that are formulated in the will of Viktor Melnikov).

According to that will, the State Museum of the Melnikovs, father and son, should be established in the House. However, the State has never taken any steps towards establishing the Museum due to the unsettled situation with the ownership rights for the whole house and the property.

At present Konstantin Melnikov's granddaughter Ms. Karinskaya resides in the House and is responsible for its preservation and security.