commie block
They are buildings constructed of large, prefabricated concrete slabs. Typically gray concrete with no ornimantation, though some have murals or mosaics decorating an exterior wall. Such buildings are often found in housing estates, as well as suburbs, even isolated locations such as mining camps or military bases. Although large panel system-buildings are often considered to be typical of Eastern Bloc countries, this prefabricated construction method was also used extensively in Western Europe and elsewhere, particularly in public housing. Also known as Plattenbau (in Germany), Khrushchyovka (in the former Soviet Union), and Tower Blocks as well as many other names.