44 Lenin Avenue

A researcher's journey to Siberia

Architecture of Repression

The building at 44 Lenin Avenue was of course originally an educational institution. It became a site of repression (*nods to Foucault*), serving as one of two local headquarter buildings for the OGPU/NKVD from 1922-1944. Structurally, this involved converting the basements (of both buildings, if I’m not mistaken) into a remand or investigative prison (следственная […]

A chapel where a cathedral once stood?

Filed under: Architecture — Wilson Bell at 8:50 pm on Friday, April 7, 2017  Tagged ,

One fun aspect of the 44 Lenina project is that this central part of Tomsk continues to undergo revision, a revision intimately associated with the region’s history. Just a stone’s throw from the building is the main, central square in Tomsk, now a large park with fountains, trees, and several plaques and monuments. This spot […]

Architecture of V. V. Khabarov

Filed under: Architecture — Wilson Bell at 6:30 pm on Monday, August 15, 2016  Tagged , ,

The building at 44 Lenin was designed by V. V. Kharbarov. Khabarov designed many buildings in Tomsk, a handful of which still stand. The buildings are brick. The Sliavianskii Bazar, which stands on the riverbank where the Ushaika meets the Tom’, is no doubt his best-known building. Some of the intricate brickwork on this building […]