Konstantin Melnikov filled in some of his house’s hexagonal openings during its construction in 1927–1929. The glazed and filled-in cells form part of the same load-bearing brick lattice. The arrangement of the studio openings can be seen from the garden; building surveys have established how the concealed infill was constructed.
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What does the view from the garden reveal?
The garden view of the Melnikov House reveals the windows in the studio’s curved wall and the intersection of the two cylinders. This can be seen in Paulkuz’s photograph taken on 7 May 2020, published under the licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Melnikov House seen from the garden in May 2020: the studio’s hexagonal windows are visible behind the branches of a flowering tree. Wikimedia Commons, View of the Melnikov House from the Garden. May 2020.jpg, author: Paulkuz, licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 source, license
The living room’s large glazed window faces Krivoarbatsky Lane, while the studio windows are set into the curved wall. The cells concealed beneath plaster cannot be distinguished in the photograph; their construction was established by researchers studying the building.
Why was the wall built as a hexagonal lattice?
The hexagonal lattice of the Melnikov House serves a load-bearing function. The 2025 state historical and cultural expert assessment report describes a distinctive patterned red-brick masonry forming a framework with openings; researchers describe this as a unique ‘lattice’ structure. The two cylindrical volumes intersect; according to the measurements in the report, the external wall, including its finishes, is 640–650 mm thick.
Following Melnikov’s design, double timber window frames were installed in some of the hexagonal cells, while other openings were filled in and plastered. This created both windows and blind recesses within a single load-bearing lattice.
How did the windows serve the studio?
The studio in the Melnikov House occupied the third storey of the tall northern cylinder and received diffuse light through small openings. A 2023 Moscow museum education publication records 38 north-facing windows. The ground floor was used for everyday activities, while the first floor housed the living room and bedroom; this arrangement is also confirmed by the 2025 expert assessment.
The studio in the Melnikov House: hexagonal windows are distributed across the curved wall. Wikimedia Commons, Ateliér domu Melnikova.jpg, author: Trasprd, licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 source, license
The same publication mentions the studio’s five-metre-high ceiling and access to a small balcony and a terrace above the lower cylinder. Melnikov reserved the top floor for work and distributed the north-facing windows across the curved wall. The relationship between the lighting and the room’s purpose is evident from the studio’s plan and description; the function of each individual cell cannot be determined from the garden photograph. In the living room facing the lane, the architect used a different solution — a large glazed window.
What fills the blind openings?
The blind hexagonal openings in the Melnikov House were filled in during construction. A 2023 article by Anna Kistanova states that the architect used a mixture of sand and clay. The 2025 expert assessment report describes timber panels and loose fill in the brick recesses. Different materials have survived beneath the smooth plaster.
The restoration plan for the Melnikov House specified separate work on the blind cells. According to the 2025 expert assessment report, 17 rotten panels were to be replaced using measurements taken from two original examples; four panels by the piers and chimneys were to be retained and restored. The cells undergoing replacement were to be filled with expanded clay sand. In August 2026, the Museum of Architecture’s press office announced the completion of the restoration: specialists had cleaned and repainted the window frames. The publication did not specify the outcome of the work on these particular panels. The figures of 17 and four refer to the 2025 plan.
Can the exact number of windows and recesses be established?
The sources do not provide a definitive count. A 2021 article in The Art Newspaper Russia cites museum representatives as referring to timber frames for 63 hexagonal glazed openings. The 2025 expert assessment report lists 64 windows, 60 recesses and, separately, one octagonal window. The sources do not explain the discrepancy in the counts; when viewing the house, it is important to distinguish glazed cells from filled-in ones.
The garden photograph complements the familiar view of the entrance: it shows the studio cylinder and the repeating lattice of the wall. Building surveys explain why glazed and filled-in cells require different restoration approaches.
In the bureau’s account of a walk around the Arbat in January 2025, the guide and her guest could see the Melnikov House only from the opposite side of the lane: the building was closed for repairs. The route of the ‘Secrets of the Arbat’ tour passes this address; the garden photograph helps compare the street and courtyard views. In the next instalment of ‘A Familiar Building from an Unfamiliar Angle’, we will look at another Moscow address from an unexpected perspective.
Sources
- State Historical and Cultural Expert Assessment Report on the Melnikov House, 15 December 2025
- Moskvoved, No. 3, 2023: The Melnikov House
- Paulkuz: view of the Melnikov House from the garden, 7 May 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Secrets of the Arbat: the bureau’s tour description
- Music, cinema and a flight over the city. A foreign visitor’s third trip to Moscow / Day 1: the bureau’s report, 20 January 2025
- Museum of Architecture: announcement of the completion of the Melnikov House restoration, 3 August 2026
- The Art Newspaper Russia: the museum’s statement on the 63 hexagonal windows, 5 March 2021
- Interfax: the museum’s announcement of the completion of the Melnikov House restoration, 4 August 2026
We took a tour of Taganka designed for 12-year-old children. It was an excellent programme. We covered a great deal of ground and learnt so much. We discovered the story of Dryanaya Street and discussed the Vladimir Highway, the surrounding monasteries and churches, and the Old Believers. We now know where Korovin was born, where Stanislavsky was born and raised, where the Morozov merchant children lived, and why Arseny Morozov was considered such an outrageous figure in his day. We also discussed Solzhenitsyn, discovered where Stalin Avenue was supposed to be built, saw the bunker, walked to the Russian metochion of the Mount Athos Monastery, and learnt why the Illuzion cinema made Taganka famous. Of course, no tour would have been complete without Vysotsky and Lyubimov. We also touched briefly on Taganka Prison, although naturally we did not go there. All in all, it was an exceptionally rich and informative tour! Our guide Alexander was superb!
Our thanks to our guide Alexander for a magnificent sightseeing tour. Alexander’s love for Moscow and its history, his wide-ranging knowledge, elegant and engaging delivery, and personal charm make the tour not merely interesting and informative, but truly delightful! Thank you, Alexander! Tatiana and Tatiana, St Petersburg
On July 18th, we participated in the "Soul of Moscow" group tour led by Alexander. Kitay-gorod and its surroundings revealed a new side to us, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of us began intensively studying related materials to broaden our horizons. We'll be back, and we highly recommend it! You won't regret it.
Good afternoon, on June 23rd we had a tour called " The Soul of Moscow ," led by Alexander. He's a very pleasant young man. We visited such lovely courtyards and alleys with him that we never even knew existed, and we learned so much. We really enjoyed everything, and we hope to continue our acquaintance. Alexander! Thank you! We had a great time with you, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. See you there!
This isn't my first time with Radius. This time, I took the Moscow metro . The goal was not only to admire the underground palaces but also to learn how to navigate the metro. As a resident of a region without a metro, I was a bit apprehensive and didn't understand how to navigate the metro. Of course, the internet helps, but live communication is much better. Tour guide Yulia handled this task perfectly. The information was accessible and interesting, the presentation was calm, and the communication style was very friendly. Thank you very much for the tour and the practical experience.
Good afternoon! I gave the "Soul of Moscow" tour to some of the capital's guests. We were thrilled to hear our guide, Anton. It was so informative and engaging, and very warm. To say we were absolutely delighted is an understatement. It turned out to be a truly family-friendly excursion. We learned so many interesting facts. The material was presented professionally, all our questions were answered, and we saw so much. It was simply WOW! Thank you so much, Anton, he's the best!!!!! From now on, I'll only come to you, the Radius team. I highly recommend it. I promise we'll see each other again soon on other tours.
Overall, the tour left a positive impression! Thanks to Alexander for the walk through the courtyards and atmospheric spots of Kitay-Gorod; we certainly wouldn't have done it on our own. The tour was comfortable, and the guide spoke confidently and calmly. One thing we personally missed: we would have liked more of the historical part, relating to ancient Moscow and the history of Kitay-Gorod. There were quite a few stories about the Soviet period and the bar scene, but for our group, this wasn't particularly relevant. We think the program could be a little more tailored to the age and interests of the group. It would also have been interesting to add more historical facts, monuments, and details about old Moscow and the area itself. That said, the tour was still interesting, and some places and churches were truly memorable. These aren't really "cons," but rather suggestions for an even more comprehensive program.
Hello! We had a corporate group of 10 people. Our guide was Anton, and we had a tour of Bulgakov. I would like to point out the excellent organization; everything went smoothly. The managers were very accommodating to our changes in the number of participants. The bus was very comfortable. Anton is a super-engaged and motivated guide. He lives this history and is delighted to share his knowledge and create an unforgettable experience. Everything went well. I highly recommend it!
Thank you for a fascinating tour! It gave me so much food for thought to explore! Note: Review of the "Zamoskvorechye" tour with guide Maria.
I'd like to express my gratitude on behalf of our team! Thank you for keeping to our scheduled schedule despite our lack of organization. Our colleagues appreciated your preparation for the tour! It was informative. Note: Review of the "Modern Residential Complexes, Factory Past, and Avant-Garde" tour of the ZILART residential complex with guide Maria. Maria prepared and conducted a customized tour for employees of the Samolet Group of Companies development company.
Thank you! You have great talent. Good luck! ☺️ You're a wonderful guide! Thank you again! Note: This is a review of the corporate tour "The Heart of the Capital" with guide Maria.
Thank you for a wonderful day today!!)) Note: review of the excursion "The Soul of Moscow" with guide Maria
On behalf of the whole family, I want to thank you for a very informative and interesting tour! Note: This is a review of the "Palace Dungeons" tour with guide Maria.
Good afternoon! I'd like to express my gratitude and that of my guide for organizing the tour! We were very pleased. We'd like to do it again in October, but on a different route — ZIL. Note: This refers to the tour for Samolet Group developers, led by guide Maria.
Thanks to Alexander for the bar tour of Baumanka ! It was fun, exciting, and we discovered so many new places! Awesome! May we reach new heights!
Good afternoon! I was on a tour of Sukharevskaya Square — we went all the way to Tsvetnoy Boulevard. I didn't expect it to be so interesting! For those wondering whether to go — go for it! It truly became one of my most memorable summer memories!
Anastasia, good morning! Thank you and Masha for yesterday! The speakers are happy. The connection through the headphones was often lost, especially at the checkpoint, but that's just our current situation. You could hear if you were standing close, no more than 1.5 meters away. Colleagues have already asked for your contact information. I'd be happy to share it and look forward to another opportunity to work with you. Special thanks to the Director for the Bureau . Note: " Heart of the Capital " tour for participants of the 2025 Moscow Oncology Forum. Guides: Anastasia and Maria.
We'd like to thank Anton and Alexander for leading the tour! It was fascinating to hear how the Krasnaya Presnya district developed and how Prokhorov's influence on our city's development. It was a pleasant immersion into a quiet, previously unexplored area!
Good afternoon, thank you so much, Anastasia. The " Uncle Gilyai " tour was fantastic. Even though we're Muscovites and know a lot about Moscow, the experience was amazing, so much new and interesting happened. We'll definitely be back.
Thank you for the " Heart of Moscow " and " Khamovniki " tours. Anton, a knowledgeable and passionate Moscow guide, gave me the tour. He's a great storyteller, intelligent, well-read, and captivating. You've truly opened up my Moscow to me! I'll definitely be back next summer to explore Moscow with you. I'll recommend your wonderful tour program to all my friends!
Excursions with the Radius travel agency are always a positive experience if you choose them. We planned a tour of Zamoskvorechye on our next visit. We've worked with our guide, Anton, before. We'll definitely recommend him to everyone we know. The tour is informative, not overloaded with dates, and the information is comprehensive yet easy to understand, as it's presented in a light, narrative manner, not like a history textbook, dry and academic. Thank you for this approach. We'll definitely use the Radius agency again on our next visit to Moscow.
Thank you so much for the tour of Zamoskvorechye . Despite the weather, it was very interesting and informative! Note: this refers to the tour with guide Anton.
A huge thank you to Anastasia. We had a fantastic tour of the Patriki district. We learned so much. Anastasia is a true master of her craft. The tour was captivating, not at all boring, lively and interesting. Everyone was delighted. We were full of new impressions. I definitely recommend it. You won't be disappointed!
We explored the Soul of Moscow with my family and Radius on my birthday. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the walk! Anton shared so many interesting facts about the capital and its history, taking us into spiritual depths no one else had even suspected. Most of us were either born or longtime Moscow residents who spent a lot of time walking around. It was educational, heartwarming, and unforgettable. 🙂 Overall, this wasn't my first time walking around Moscow with Anton, and each time was a real adventure!