Beyond Postmodernism: Contested Narratives of 1980s Latvian Rural Architecture

Andris Uškāns; Regita Zeiļa; Artis Zvirgzdiņš

doi:10.2478/aup-2026-0004

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Beyond Postmodernism: Contested Narratives of 1980s Latvian Rural Architecture

Architecture and Urban Planning

Volume 22 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Andris Uškāns , Regita Zeiļa and Artis Zvirgzdiņš

Open Access

|Apr 2026

Abstract

Latvia’s 1980s rural cultural centres, built as multifunctional hubs, are framed by scholars as postmodern resistance to Soviet uniformity, but rural voices are overlooked. Using archival research and oral histories from six communities, this study contrasts professional narratives with local views of pragmatism and utility. Findings show these centres as “lived” social spaces shaped by local leadership, not just “conceived” ideological ones. This repositions them as hybrid artefacts for post-Soviet heritage.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aup-2026-0004 | Journal eISSN: 2255-8764 | Journal ISSN: 1691-4333

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Language: English

Page range: 27 - 37

Submitted on: Sep 16, 2025

Accepted on: Feb 16, 2026

Published on: Apr 16, 2026

Published by: Riga Technical University

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

Administrative-cultural centres,

ambiguous heritage,

architectural narratives,

heritage interpretation,

Latvian architecture,

Late- Soviet architecture,

oral history,

Postmodernism,

post-Soviet identity,

social memory

Related subjects:

Architecture and design,

Architecture,

Urbanism,

Architecture and design, other

© 2026 Andris Uškāns, Regita Zeiļa, Artis Zvirgzdiņš, published by Riga Technical University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 22 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)