Great Architects: Fyodor Ivanovich Lidval

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Baron Fyodor Ivanovich Lidval (Johan Fredrik Lidvall, Swedish: Johan Fredrik Lidvall; May 20 (June 1), 1870 — March 14, 1945) was a Russian-Swedish architect of Swedish citizenship and origin, an academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts. F. I. Lidval was born in Saint Petersburg. In 1882, he graduated from the primary school at the Evangelical Swedish Church of Saint Catherine, and then from the Second Petersburg Real School (in 1888). He studied for two years at the Baron Stieglitz School of Technical Drawing. During vacations, Fyodor Lidval, like his brothers, twice served in the Royal Life Guards Regiment in Stockholm. From 1890 to 1896, Fyodor Lidval was a student in the architectural department of the Higher Art School at the Imperial Academy of Arts, where from 1894 to 1896 he studied in the workshop of architect L. N. Benois. He graduated from the Higher Art School with the title of artist-architect. The most productive period of Lidval’s creativity is associated with Saint Petersburg. Since 1899, he became a member of the Petersburg Society of Architects. In 1907, a special commission for awarding prizes for the best facades awarded Lidval a silver medal for the facade of N. A. Meltzer’s house (corner of Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street and Volynsky Lane) and an honorary diploma for the facade of A. F. Zimmerman’s income house (corner of Kamennoostrovsky Prospect and Vologodskaya Street). More than 30 buildings and structures were built in Saint Petersburg according to his designs. Lidval’s works began to play a significant role in the architecture of Saint Petersburg in the 1900s. In the first stage of his creativity (1897–1907), he was a bright representative of the "Northern Modern" style; his pursuits during these years were close to the aspirations of Scandinavian and Finnish architects. In 1918, ruined by the revolution, F. I. Lidval left for Stockholm, where he had sent his family a year earlier. After moving to Sweden, F. I. Lidval worked at the company of the famous architect Albin Stark and designed 16 signature houses in Stockholm, as well as participated in the development of projects for another 7 buildings (mainly as an interior designer). His first independent project was two residential buildings on Tysta Gatan (No. 3 and No. 5, 1922), whose appearance combines motifs characteristic of Lidval’s Petersburg period and Swedish architecture in the Swedish Grace style, distinguished by modesty and restraint. Among other projects he realized in Stockholm are the Shell oil company building on Birger Jarlsgatan and a house at the corner of Torsgatan and Saint Eriksgatan. Also, in the early 1930s, F. I. Lidval designed several residential buildings in Stockholm in the functionalism style. He died in 1945 as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage. He is buried in Stockholm at the Djursholm Cemetery.

Lidval. Income House, the Beginning of Northern Art Nouveau in Petersburg

Kamennoostrovsky Ave., 1-3, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197046

The works of Fyodor Lidval began to play a significant role in the architecture of Saint Petersburg in the 1900s. In the first stage of his creativity (1897–1907), he was a prominent representative of the "Northern Modern" style; his explorations during these years were close to the aspirations of Scandinavian and Finnish architects. At the same time, Lidval's buildings did not contradict the historically established appearance of the city. The Lidval tenement house, one of the architect's early works, is usually cited as an example of a residential building in this style. The Ida Amalia Lidval tenement house — the first independent work of this outstanding architect — was commissioned by his mother.

Lidval. Building of the Azov-Don Bank

Bolshaya Morskaya St., 3-5, 6th floor, office 3, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

This remarkable building is located in the very center of the city, next to the Arch of the General Staff. In fact, it is two houses that were built at different, though close, times, which is also reflected in their address - Bolshaya Morskaya St., 3-5. This building was constructed for the Azov-Don Commercial Bank.

Lidval. Tolstoy House

Fontanka River Embankment, 54, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191002

One of the legendary landmarks of St. Petersburg is the income house of Count Tolstoy, popularly known as the Tolstoy House. This huge six-story building was skillfully fitted by the builders onto a small plot by the Fontanka Embankment. The house, designed in the Northern Art Nouveau style, is distinguished by its unique facade architecture and stunning interior layout.

House of F. I. Klementz - Income House of A. I. Winter

4 Tuchkov Lane Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg Region, Russia, 199034

This is one of Lidval's first significant works in St. Petersburg. The overall classical appearance of the building is adorned with two corner bay windows with domes, facing Kadetskaya Line and Tuchkov Lane.

Mansion of K. K. Ekval

Krasnogvardeyskiy Lane, 15, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194100

The two-story Equal Mansion is an example of wooden "northern modernism," built in 1901 by architect Fyodor Lidval in collaboration with S. V. Belyaev. The owner of the house was the Swede Karl Equal — the owner of a cast iron foundry and mechanical plant, which was founded in 1893.

Income House of Charles de Ritz-à-Port

Malaya Posadskaya St., 15, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197046

The income house of Charles de Ritz-à-Port on Malaya Posadskaya Street, house 15A, Built in 1910 based on the design of architect Fyodor Ivanovich Lidval.

Building of the Merchant Hotel of M. A. Alexandrov

Apraksin Lane, 6, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191023

On April 28, 1902, Lidval signed the completed project. It was approved by the City Council on May 3. The City Council's resolution specifically noted the conditions under which the building's height could not exceed the width of Apraksin Lane, the courtyard area could not be less than 30 square sazhen (a fire safety requirement due to the need for turning horse-drawn fire engines), and the steps of the first and basement floors could not extend beyond the building line by more than 8 vershoks (35.5 cm). The latter requirement arose because the project provided for entrances to the commercial premises of the first and basement floors via steps starting from the sidewalk. To avoid obstructing pedestrians, their size had to be limited.

Income House of A. K. Lemmerich

Malaya Posadskaya St., 19, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197046

One of the buildings of a large residential complex designed by Fyodor Lidval. The five-story building was constructed in 1904. Its owner was the engineer-technologist Adolf Kazimirovich Lemmerich.

Income House of the Swedish Church

Malaya Konyushennaya St., 3, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

This remarkably elegant house (Malaya Konyushennaya, house 3) catches the eye even from the Griboedov Canal embankment.

Residential building of the Evangelical Swedish Church of St. Catherine

Malaya Konyushennaya St., 1-3, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

The residential building of the Evangelical Swedish Church of St. Catherine is located in the city of Saint Petersburg, on Malaya Konyushennaya Street. The building with a concert hall was constructed between 1823 and 1862, based on a design by architect Karl Karlovich Anderson. From 1904 to 1905, the building was rebuilt by architect Friedrich Johannovich Lidval.

House of N. A. Meltzer

Bolshaya Konyushennaya St., 19, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

Among the income houses of the Art Nouveau era, the income house of N. A. Meltzer holds a worthy place.

The House of Yu. P. Kollan

Bolshoy Prospekt of Vasilievsky Island, 92, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197136

The house of Yu. P. Kollan is one of the many buildings by architect Fyodor Lidval in St. Petersburg, executed in the style of Northern Modern.

Income house of I. B. Lidval and the firm "I. P. Lidval."

Bolshaya Morskaya St., 27, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190000

In 1904, Fyodor Lidval began the reconstruction of the building, which at the time belonged to his mother, Ida Baltazarovna Lidval. Lidval's project slightly altered the overall appearance of the building — a more lavish main entrance and medallions (not implemented). A new stone staircase was constructed, the interior was rearranged, large display windows were installed, and elevators were put in place.

Income House of O. I. Libikh

Mokhovaya St., 14, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191187

The five-story residential building of Olga Liebich was built in 1905 by architect Lidval. The building's facade is neutral with evenly distributed windows. The facade composition is asymmetrical – a bay window on the right, a risalit on the left. The decoration of the house is achieved through the selection of materials – dark gray rusticated granite on the first floor, pink-gray plaster, and a few light decorative details.

Income House of A. F. Zimmerman

Kamennoostrovsky Ave., 61, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197022

The house belonged to the hereditary honorary citizen, engineer Arthur Fedorovich Zimmerman.

Building of the Second Mutual Credit Society

Sadovaya St., 34, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194361

This building is one of the best examples of "Northern Modernism": a strict style that favors gray color, muted tones of other paints, massive columns, an equally massive—monolithic, like a Roman palace—facade, and small windows.

Grand Hotel Europe

Nevsky Ave., 36, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

It is no coincidence that Saint Petersburg is called the cultural capital of the country; here, many magnificent buildings, palaces, and estates have been preserved, whose walls remember the feats of their owners and all the twists and turns of history. One such building is the Grand Hotel Europe, the oldest hotel in Saint Petersburg, located in the very heart of the city, at the corner of Nevsky Prospect and Mikhailovskaya Street.

Houses of Charles de Richeport

Malaya Posadskaya St., 17-1, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197046

At Ritz-à-Porter, a complex of income houses was built over several years on the site of the factory territory, which radically changed the character of the development of this part of the street. The designs of all the houses were created by architect Fyodor Lidval. The first building, constructed at the beginning of the 20th century (the current house No. 17, lit. A), was erected on the site of two-tier wooden warehouses of the cast iron foundry. Apartments here were rented out for a year and for longer terms.

M. A. Gorchakov Mansion - House of the Oil Production Partnership "Brothers Nobel"

Griboedov Canal Embankment, 2 lit. A, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

The famous architect Fyodor Lidval actively collaborated with the Nobel family, designing and remodeling buildings of various purposes at their request. And this collaboration began with the building of the House of the Petroleum Production Partnership "Brothers Nobel."

E. L. Nobel Mansion - M. L. Oleynikova Mansion

Lesnoy Ave., 21-1, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194044

The mansion was built between 1902 and 1904 by architect Melzer Robert-Friedrich (Roman Fyodorovich) and military engineer Melzer Ernest Fyodorovich, and was rebuilt in 1910 by architect Lidval Fyodor Ivanovich.

Income House of Emmanuel Ludwigovich Nobel

Bolshoy Sampsoniyevsky Ave., 27, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194044

The Income House of Emmanuel Ludwigovich Nobel is an architectural monument and is part of the Residential Complex for employees of Ludwig Emmanuelovich Nobel's factory. The house was built in 1910–1911. The large gray house in Art Nouveau style closes off the Residential Complex of the "Ludwig Nobel" factory from the side of Lesnoy Avenue.

Hotel "Astoria"

Bolshaya Morskaya St., 39, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190000

"Astoria" (since March 1916 — "Petrograd Military Hotel"; since September 1918 — "First House of the Petrograd Soviet"; since 1924 — "First House of the Leningrad Soviet"; since February 1991 — "Astoria") is a five-star hotel in Saint Petersburg, located in the city center on St. Isaac's Square next to St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Income House of G. F. Eilers — Former Property of the Flower Magnate

4a Rentgen Street, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197101

On the Petrograd Side stands an elegant building in the style of Northern Modernism — an income house belonging to second guild merchant Herman Eilers. It was specially built in 1913 for the merchant and his family. Eilers was the owner of an entire floral empire in the city; his shops were even mentioned in the poems of Mayakovsky and Agnivcev. Almost a century later, the house, thanks to its unusual appearance, appeared in the films *An Unfinished Story* and *Brother*.

Income House of S. M. Lipavsky

Bolshoy Prospekt P.S., 39, apt. 8, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197198

The house was built for professors of the Medical Institute. It was equipped with an elevator (starting from the level of the 2nd floor (residential)), plumbing, electric lighting, and a coal boiler room with a very efficient steam heating system.

The Mansion of S. N. Chaev

9 Rentgen Street, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197101

The mansion, featuring the characteristic variety of textures typical of Art Nouveau, relief friezes inspired by antiquity, elegant decor in the style of the Vienna Secession, and an extraordinary spatial design with a winter garden rotunda, ranks among the finest works of St. Petersburg Art Nouveau.

Residential building for employees of the Azov-Don Bank.

Professora Popova St., 41/5, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197376

One of the most famous works of architect Fyodor Ivanovich Lidval is the building of the Azov-Don Bank. However, not everyone knows that there is another building in our city created by Lidval for this bank. It is a house for the employees of the Azov-Don Bank. The building was constructed in 1914-1915 and became one of Lidval’s last works in Petersburg.

Building of the Russian Bank for Foreign Trade

Professora Popova St., 41/5, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197376

In 1915–1916, at the address Bolshaya Morskaya Street, No. 18 (No. 5-7 Kirpichny Lane, No. 63 on the Moika River Embankment), construction of a building for the bank was started (but not completed due to the revolution) based on a design by architects Fyodor Lidval and Leonty Benois. However, currently, this building, completed in 1929–1931, houses the State University of Technology and Design.

The Azov-Don Bank building in Astrakhan

Nikolskaya St., 3, Astrakhan, Astrakhan Oblast, Russia, 414038

The Azov-Don Bank building was constructed in 1910 based on a design by architect Lidval. It was located on Nikolskaya Street, where shops, hotels, tenement houses, and various offices were situated. The bank building was built in the style of Russian neoclassicism, which had developed by 1910. This style was oriented towards the later generation of Western European neoclassicism, which interacted with the neo-romantic direction of northern modernism. This variant of "international" neoclassicism was characterized by monumentality, the use of granite cladding, and a "torn" surface of stone masonry. It was especially popular in the construction of bank buildings, symbolizing conservatism, reliability, and stability.

The building of the Azov-Don Commercial Bank in Saratov

43 Maksima Gorkogo St., Saratov, Saratov Oblast, Russia, 410003

Azov-Don Bank is the only building in Saratov constructed according to the design of the greatest master of St. Petersburg Art Nouveau, Fyodor Lindvall.

The building of the Russian Bank for Foreign Trade: "Italian House" on Khreshchatyk

Khreshchatyk Street, 32, Kyiv, Ukraine, 01001

The building of the Russian Bank for Foreign Trade at 32 Khreshchatyk Street is an architectural monument. This rare structure in Kyiv’s urban landscape is designed in the "Northern Modern" style. This elegant four-story building is part of a small complex of imperial-era structures that survived on Khreshchatyk during World War II. Architecture experts sometimes refer to the building as “Italian.” This is due to its decoration — the building’s ornamentation somewhat resembles Palazzo Strozzi, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture located in Kyiv’s sister city, Florence. The author of this Kyiv masterpiece is the St. Petersburg architect Fyodor Lidval, and the sculptural decoration of the facade was created by the sculptor Vasily Kuznetsov.

The Azov-Don Bank building in Kharkiv

Constitution Square, 12, Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, 61000

The Azov-Don Bank, founded in 1871 in Taganrog, was one of the largest banks in the empire. Over time, the bank began to experience a shortage of space, so in 1914 it moved to a new building at 18 Constitution Square (architects F. Lidval, L. Terven).

Building of the Omsk Railway Administration

Karl Marx Ave., 35, Omsk, Omsk Region, Russia, 644042

The former building of the Omsk Railway Administration, now comfortably housing the Omsk State University of Railway Engineering, is located on Marx Avenue. This building is an architectural monument from the early 20th century. The facade was designed by Fyodor Lidval, a renowned architect from Saint Petersburg. The "highlight" of this project is the four tall columns supporting the pediment. At their tops are four sculptures symbolizing Track, Traction, Movement, and Management.

A house for bachelors in the city of Lysva

Sovetskaya St., 17, Lysva, Perm Krai, Russia, 618900

The architect of this building is F.I. Lidval. For single professionals, he designed a beautiful and convenient three-story Bachelor’s House. The building was constructed over the course of two years. From 1917 to 1920, the first Council of Workers and Soldiers' Deputies worked here. Today, the Lysvenskoye Department of Internal Affairs is located here.

House of the company "Shell," Stockholm

Birger Jarlsgatan 64, 114 29 Stockholm, Sweden

The developer of the building is Svensk-Engelska Mineralolje AB, and the architectural firm of Albin Stark was the company that created a somewhat unusual design. However, the author of the building is not entirely clear. All the drawings submitted to the Building Committee are signed by Albin Stark, but there are many indications that most of the work was done by Fredrik Lidvall (Fedor Lindvall).

Income Houses of the Joint-Stock Company "New Petersburg"

Zheleznovodskaya St., 19, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 199155

Income house of the joint-stock company "New Petersburg," part of the project for the development of the territory in the western part of Goloday Island (Decembrists' Island). Designed in 1911-13 by architect I. A. Fomin with the participation of architect F. I. Lidval. The project for the large residential area is based on the characteristic radial-ring system typical for St. Petersburg.