Beyond Postmodernism: Contested Narratives of 1980s Latvian Rural Architecture

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.