The Ship-House is one of the most famous houses in Ivanovo. It was built in 1929 by the Moscow architect Daniil Friedman in the architectural style of constructivism. In those years, many houses in different cities were built in this style, but Ivanovo became the "capital" of constructivism.
Ivanovo workers had a great influence on the revolutionary trends in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. This was noted by Vladimir Lenin in his works. In 1905, the first City Soviet (Council) of Workers appeared in Ivanovo. In 1917, the Bolsheviks transferred all power to such Soviets, and the country was called the Soviet Union.
In gratitude for the workers` movement, the Soviet government began the active construction of residential buildings for workers in Ivanovo. There were houses in the style of constructivism, which symbolized the new time. Soviet constructivism emerged in the early 1920s. At its origins stood the architect Vladimir Tatlin. He called for a "revolution in architecture." Vladimir Tatlin`s works can be seen in the New Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
The main part of the Ship-House in Ivanovo has 5 floors. The architect bent its front part in the shape of a ship`s nose. The rear part of the house is built in the form of a tower and has 8 floors. It symbolizes the captain`s bridge. Balconies are made in the form of bridges and lifeboats.
The Ship-House has two hulls. In the main building there were spacious apartments with large baths and kitchens for the party nomenclature of Ivanovo. In the second building there were small apartments for workers. The building is located on Lenin Avenue, the main street of Ivanovo. Nearby you can also see the Bird-House, another famous symbol of constructivism in Ivanovo.
