Kharkiv

The House of Scientists

Buildings

Description

  • The House of Scientists is a cultural and educational institution of the city, formerly owned by the family of the architect Alexei Beketov.

This is one of the most beautiful buildings designed by the architect. The building of the mansion was rightfully included in the "Architectural Encyclopedia of the Second Half of the 19th Century" by G. Baranovsky, which included outstanding works of European architecture of this era. The building is an architectural monument of local importance. The mansion is located in the center of Kharkov, on Zhen Mironosits Street. The facades of the building are designed in the neo-Renaissance style using architectural forms and details of ancient Greece. The entrance is accentuated by a projection topped with a small pediment. The walls of the first floor are finished with rustic materials. Multi-figured high-relief inserts are placed above the windows of the first floor. The second floor is framed by an Ionic colonnade. The frieze is decorated with floral ornament. The building was distinguished by a loggia, the floors of which were supported by three caryatids (now lost). A small corner balcony with an openwork wrought-iron fence overlooking the courtyard of the mansion is gracefully drawn.

The architect paid great attention to the design of the mansion's interiors, made in various historical styles. The living room on the second floor has a picturesque plafond depicting Apollo and nine muses, which gives the interior a special solemnity. The plafond was painted by the artist N. Uvarov. The spacious vaulted dining room on the ground floor is decorated in the style of Moscow Russia of the 16th – 17th centuries. The paintings on the walls and vaults were made according to the sketches of the artist M. Pestrikov. A marble front staircase with oak railings leads to the second floor. It is illuminated by a large arched window with a stained-glass window depicting the muse of Architecture, fictional (it is not in the ancient pantheon) by A. Beketov. The original stained glass window, created by Beketov's sketch, was destroyed during the Second World War and restored by the artists A. Pronin and G. Tishchenko in 1969.

This is one of the most beautiful buildings designed by the architect. The building of the mansion was rightfully included in the "Architectural Encyclopedia of the Second Half of the 19th Century" by G. Baranovsky, which included outstanding works of European architecture of this era. The building is an architectural monument of local importance. The mansion is located in the center of Kharkov, on Zhen Mironosits Street. The facades of the building are designed in the neo-Renaissance style using architectural forms and details of ancient Greece. The entrance is accentuated by a projection topped with a small pediment. The walls of the first floor are finished with rustic materials. Multi-figured high-relief inserts are placed above the windows of the first floor. The second floor is framed by an Ionic colonnade. The frieze is decorated with floral ornament. The building was distinguished by a loggia, the floors of which were supported by three caryatids (now lost). A small corner balcony with an openwork wrought-iron fence overlooking the courtyard of the mansion is gracefully drawn.

The architect paid great attention to the design of the mansion's interiors, made in various historical styles. The living room on the second floor has a picturesque plafond depicting Apollo and nine muses, which gives the interior a special solemnity. The plafond was painted by the artist N. Uvarov. The spacious vaulted dining room on the ground floor is decorated in the style of Moscow Russia of the 16th – 17th centuries. The paintings on the walls and vaults were made according to the sketches of the artist M. Pestrikov. A marble front staircase with oak railings leads to the second floor. It is illuminated by a large arched window with a stained-glass window depicting the muse of Architecture, fictional (it is not in the ancient pantheon) by A. Beketov. The original stained glass window, created by Beketov's sketch, was destroyed during the Second World War and restored by the artists A. Pronin and G. Tishchenko in 1969.

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HISTORY

  • Since 1934, the House of Scientists has received its registration in the former Beketov mansion, around which the cultural life of the scientific community of the city of Kharkov begins to form.

The beginning of the construction of the Beketov family's mansion dates back to 1897. The building project belongs to Alexey Beketov. A talented architect, who largely created the architectural appearance of the city, has designed more than 80 houses in Kharkov. Despite the brilliant professional prospects in St. Petersburg and Western European cities, as one of the best graduates of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, Beketov chooses the city of Kharkov for his professional activities and the creation of his architectural school. Upon returning to Kharkov, Beketov marries Anna Alchevskaya, the daughter of the industrialist and philanthropist Alexei Kirillovich Alchevsky.

The beginning of the construction of the Beketov family's mansion dates back to 1897. The building project belongs to Alexey Beketov. A talented architect, who largely created the architectural appearance of the city, has designed more than 80 houses in Kharkov. Despite the brilliant professional prospects in St. Petersburg and Western European cities, as one of the best graduates of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, Beketov chooses the city of Kharkov for his professional activities and the creation of his architectural school. Upon returning to Kharkov, Beketov marries Anna Alchevskaya, the daughter of the industrialist and philanthropist Alexei Kirillovich Alchevsky.

INTERESTING FACTS

  • Initially, the building was unique due to the deep loggia, the floors of which were supported by female sculptures - caryatids, similar to the caryatids of the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis of Athens. In the 1920s, the loggia was rebuilt without the knowledge of the architect into a closed room.
  • The House of Scientists has access to a cozy landscaped courtyard. Which offers a beautiful view from the balcony of the second floor. In 2018, students of the Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy named after A.N. Beketov, a project was developed for the improvement and reconstruction of the courtyard.
  • Initially, the building was unique due to the deep loggia, the floors of which were supported by female sculptures - caryatids, similar to the caryatids of the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis of Athens. In the 1920s, the loggia was rebuilt without the knowledge of the architect into a closed room.
  • The House of Scientists has access to a cozy landscaped courtyard. Which offers a beautiful view from the balcony of the second floor. In 2018, students of the Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy named after A.N. Beketov, a project was developed for the improvement and reconstruction of the courtyard.