Panelki

Panelki: Build a Soviet-Era Prefabricated Apartment Block

Explore the architecture and history of mass housing in the former Eastern Bloc with Panelki by Zupagrafika—a unique interactive book that lets you assemble your own Soviet-era prefabricated apartment building.

Inspired by the iconic “panelki” housing blocks commonly found across Eastern Europe during the Soviet era, this creative book allows readers to construct a detailed 3D model of a precast concrete apartment block, panel by panel. Along the way, it offers fascinating insight into the prefabricated construction systems used behind the Iron Curtain and the social history of mass housing developments.

Illustrated with striking archival photographs and socialist propaganda posters, the book blends architecture, history, and hands-on creativity. It includes 164 cardboard panels that can be pressed out and assembled to build a 27-cm-high model of a Soviet-style apartment block.

Perfect for architecture enthusiasts, design lovers, model builders, and history readers, Panelki is both an educational resource and an engaging DIY construction project.

Features:

• Build a 27 cm tall Soviet-era apartment block model
• Includes 164 press-out cardboard panels
• Learn about Eastern Bloc architecture and mass housing history
• Features archival photography and socialist-era graphics
• A unique blend of architecture book, model kit, and design history

A fascinating interactive exploration of Soviet architecture, prefabricated housing, and urban history.