Dome

View along the south elevation, showing central entry and east wing; Le Corbusier was already known to committed groups of modern Russian architects through his publications, notably his design for the headquarters for the League of Nations. After a preliminary limited competition, in 1928 he was commissioned to design the headquarters of the Central Union of Consumer Operatives in Moscow, and with a team of devoted Russian colleagues produced the Tsentrosoyuz Building (1928-1936), Kirova St (now Myasnitskaya St), Moscow. During construction its function was changed to that of the Ministry of Light Industry, however, and the design was seriously compromised. Though designed as a representational building, with great collective areas celebrating the strength of the Soviet proletariat, most of its planned spatial features were omitted, as was the intended air-conditioning system similar to the one projected for the Cité de Refuge. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 2/3/2008)