Palace of Soviets. B. Iofan, O. Gelfreikh, V. Schuko. Sculptor S. Merkulov. Version of the approved project. 1934

The competition for the Palace of Soviets in Moscow was one of the most extensive and impressive of this century. The idea of constructing a building which could be a symbol of the "imminent triumph of communism" in the capital of the world's first state of workers and peasants was mooted in the 1920s. The chosen location was the site of the demolished Church of Christ the Saviour. The competition was launched in 1931 and carried out in stages. Overall, 160 entries were submitted, including 12 commissioned ones and 24 which were fiors concours, as well as 112 project proposals. Twenty four proposals were received from foreign participants, among whom were such universally acclaimed architects as Le Corbusier, W.Gropius and E.Mendelssohn. The definitive turn of Soviet architecture toward the heritage of the past had emerged clearly by that time, and was the key factor in the choice of winners. The top awards went to architects I.Zholtovsky, B.lofan, G.Hamilton (USA), additions and revisions, was finally affirmed.