ALEKSANDER RZEPISZEWSKI PIONEER OF EARLY MODERNISM IN KHARKIV (CA. 1909-1915)

LUBOV ZHVANKO, MICHAŁ PSZCZÓŁKOWSKI

ABSTRACT

The subject of this paper is an excellent architect of Polish origin, Aleksander Rzepiszewski, associated mostly with Kharkiv. In the first half of the 20th century, he designed 27 buildings of different use, 25 of which have survived to this day; whereby 17 have been given a status of architectural monuments. The architectural innovations of Rzepiszewski in the city contributed to its originality and elegance. The architect modernized the image of Kharkiv, skillfully applying the ideas of early modernism, which promoted comfortable living and working conditions. He was the first to introduce a new method of arranging flat interiors through the possibility of using sliding walls. Rzepiszewski was also the first architect in Kharkiv who started to design the so-called “cooperative houses” with their own flats. The characteristic profile of the roofs, which cover the tenement houses designed by him, provide the historical center of Kharkiv with an original look, complementing the dominants of orthodox towers.

Key words: Aleksander Rzepiszewski, Kharkiv, early modernism, cooperative houses

FULL TEXT