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Factory Renovation

Six projects competing for the reconstruction of Confectionery and Bakery Factory “Prostor” in the district Cheremushki

26 September 2014
Contest Results
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Firm:
Arch Group
DNK Architectural Group
Arkhstroydesign ASD
Mosproekt-2
Object:
The architectural concept for the reconstruction of the Baking Factory «Prostor» in Moscow
Russia, Moscow

Project Team:
Architects: Mikhail Krymov, Alexey Goryainov, Irina Kochuk, Diana Zhegulina

5.2014 — 6.2014
The factory is situated at the crossing of Akademika Skryabina and Ferganskaya streets in the south-east of Moscow. The factory was built in 1987 and it now consists of three buildings: the production building, the “domestic” building, and the office-and-academic building. Now it is an unsightly construction a la the 1980’s – the horizontal segmentation, typical for the industrial buildings, in combination with low-quality building materials make up the usual coloring for the outlying districts. The renovation must turn the factory into the architectural centerpiece of the area. Its main feature, however, is the fact that it does not withdraw its enterprise in order to give place to residential facilities and offices – the factory is being modernized instead. In the last few years, it is the first reconstruction without function altering.

On September 25, the judging panel of the competition selected the winners. The first prize is shared by two consortiums “Mosproject-2” and “Progress” – and Alexey Ivanov’s studio “Arkhstroydesign ASD” – working with MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE. So the second place was not assigned to anyone. The third place was awarded to “Arch Group”, the forth place – to DNK Architectural Group, the fifth place – to Polyansky’s  Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design and sixth – to the A2OM + Spectrum duet. The designer has been chosen after some talks with the client.
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First place
“Mosproject-2” and architectural bureau “Progress”.

Pyotr Anurin, Anna Kopeina, Nataljya Mastelerzh, Ivan Sakara, Nata Tatunashvili, Anastasiya Tikhomirova, Polina Filippova

Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»



The authors consider the 80s architecture to be substandard, at the same time respectfully appreciating the strong special-volume construction, the calibrated rhythms of the facades and the recognizable architectural style. The problem, according to the architects, is the low quality of the construction work and materials. All this creates the impression of “fatigue” of the buildings that have lived up to our time with shabby or hastily remodeled facades all covered with ACs, cellular antennas and random signboards.

Thus, the architects suggested no changes in the facades or the buildings themselves. Instead, they decided to bring about the original intentions of their creators – CNIIEP n. a. B.S. Mezentsev.


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»

In the meantime, new volumes will be added to the old buildings. They will be veneered with glass and aluminum (solid structural glazing, divided by vertical aluminum frames at five feet intervals) neatly built in the existing modernistic composition mainly due to the 1980’s proportions. One floor will be added to the “domestic” building. Formed by the late Soviet tessellated panels, the current facades  will be replaced by the new, similar ones, only without any visible joints.

Special attention is paid to the territory development and reorganization. The highest priority is given to common areas. The entrance from the Ferganskaya Street, accentuated by a canopy, leads to a shop, a café on the first floor of the domestic building and to the main factory gangways. The technology and the logistics of the factory work will not be changed. The exits and entrances will remain in the same places, as well as the existing parking lots that are to be planted with trees. The architects have also thought over the illumination and intentionally made it even, without accented spots.


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Mosproject-2» + «Progress»
***
 
Yet another first place 
Alexey Ivanov’s studio “Arkhstroydesign ASD” + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE



Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE

Unlike the authors of the previous project, in this case the architects do not see the factory buildings as bearing a “sensible image”, except for the memory of building culture and typology of that time. That is why they suggest a significant change in the appearance of the buildings, their facades in particular. The basic element of the new facades are fiber-reinforced cement panels (4 ft * 4 ft * 0,3 in) with carved symbols of working processes in the factory buildings. Each block gets its “own” color. There are no panels here – the walls get painted.

The convergence of the factory territory with the surrounding buildings, getting rid of the barriers, has become the main idea of the land improvement. Both the inside part of the factory and the adjacent urban territory will be organized.


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 1st and 2nd places © «Archstroydesign ASD» + MANIPULAZIONE INTERNAZIONALE

 
***
 
Third place
Arch Group



Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 

The office block is turned into a glass tower. The rest buildings are masked behind the new facades. Their texture indicates the confectionery specialization of the factory, in that way or another. The largest façade is made of special fabric with the texture of dough and the fingerprints reminding of the bakers’ manual labor. The semitransparent façade material lets the light easily into the building. From the outside, however, it does not seem transparent at all and creates an illusion of a solid surface. Another façade type is made of a perforated material, reminding the texture of sliced bread. 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 3rd place © "Arch Group" 
***

Fourth place
DNK Architectural Group



Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group" 

The domestic block was enlarged by two floors. A bit extended, alike to the “mountain peak”, this angle becomes the spatial landmark – it can be easily seen from the crossroads. In order to unite the factory complex with the city the authors suggest the outside modernized park be broadened up to the crossroads opening up the facades the administrative and domestic buildings and providing direct access to the complex from the Akademika Skryabina Street. The first floors of the blocks are glazed. The main entrance in the domestic block is being shifted closed to the center of the vestibule inside. The entrance to the shop is planned to be made at the end-wall of the administrative building, so that it would lead out to an open space of the parking lot, where the main entrance is.

There will be a park with lanes and platforms between the street and the production building. The enterprise territory is separated from the park with a transparent fence of vertical steel profiles – so that the façade of the production block would be open to the park.


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 4th place © "DNK Architectural Group"
***
 
Fifth place
Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design



Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design

The territory of the factory is being significantly enlarged with outbuildings and superstructures in this project. A baker’s shop is added to the structure of the incoming group. New entrances and parking lots for personnel and visitors are being made. The existing parking lot is being planted with trees. The modernization includes causeways, minor architectural forms and illumination. The authors are also working on a new transit pedestrian path, connecting Akademika Skryabina and Ferganskaya streets.

Perforated metal sheets and structural glass are proposed as the two main materials. The facades are being winterized.


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place © Polyansky Moscow Institute of Art and Architecture Design


Contest project for the reconstruction of the Confectionary and Bakery Factory "Prostor" 5th place ©&
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Firm:
Arch Group
DNK Architectural Group
Arkhstroydesign ASD
Mosproekt-2
Object:
The architectural concept for the reconstruction of the Baking Factory «Prostor» in Moscow
Russia, Moscow

Project Team:
Architects: Mikhail Krymov, Alexey Goryainov, Irina Kochuk, Diana Zhegulina

5.2014 — 6.2014

26 September 2014

Headlines now
Faraday Grid
The project of the Omsk airport by ASADOV Architects is another concept among the 14 finalists of a recent competition. It is called “The Bridge” and is inspired by both the West Siberian Exhibition of 1911 and the Trans-Siberian Railway bridge over the Irtysh River, built in 1896. On one hand, it carries a steampunk vibe, while on the other, there’s almost a sense of nostalgia for the heyday of 1913. However, the concept offers two variants, the second one devoid of nostalgia but featuring a parabola.
Midway upon the Journey of Our Life
Recently, Tatlin Publishing House released a book entitled “Architect Sergey Oreshkin. Selected Projects”. This book is not just a traditional book of the architectural company’s achievements, but rather a monograph of a more personal nature. The book includes 43 buildings as well as a section with architectural drawings. In this article, we reflect on the book as a way to take stock of an architect’s accomplishments.
Inverted Fortress
This year, there has been no shortage of intriguing architectural ideas around the Omsk airport. The project developed by the architectural company KPLN appeals to Omsk’s history as a wooden fortress that it was back in the day, but transforms the concept of a fortress beyond recognition: it “shaves off” the conical ends of “wooden logs”, then enlarges them, and then flips them over. The result is a hypostyle – a forest of conical columns on point supports, with skylights on top.
Transformation of Annenkirche
For Annenkirche (St. Anna Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg), Sergey Kuznetsov and the Kamen bureau have prepared a project that relies on the principles of the Venice Charter: the building is not restored to a specific date, historical layers are preserved, and modern elements do not mimic the authentic ones. Let’s delve into the details of these solutions.
The Paradox of the Temporary
The concept of the Russian pavilion for EXPO 2025 in Osaka, proposed by the Wowhaus architects, is the last of the six projects we gathered from the 2022 competition. It is again worth noting that the results of this competition were not finalized due to the cancellation of Russia’s participation in World Expo 2025. It should be mentioned that Wowhaus created three versions for this competition, but only one is being presented, and it can’t be said that this version is thoroughly developed – rather, it is done in the spirit of a “student assignment”. Nevertheless, the project is interesting in its paradoxical nature: the architects emphasized the temporary character of the pavilion, and in its bubble-like forms sought to reflect the paradoxes of space and time.
The Forum of Time
The competition project for the Russian Pavilion at EXPO 2025 in Osaka designed by Aleksey Orlov and Arena Project Institute consists of cones and conical funnels connected into a non-trivial composition, where one can feel the hand of architects who have worked extensively with stadiums and other sports facilities. It’s very interesting to delve into its logic, structurally built on the theme of clocks, hourglasses and even sundials. Additionally, the architects have turned the exhibition pavilion into a series of interconnected amphitheaters, which is also highly relevant for world exhibitions. We are reminding you that the competition results were never announced.
Mirrors Everywhere
The project by Sergey Nebotov, Anastasia Gritskova, and the architectural company “Novoe” was created for the Russian pavilion at EXPO 2025, but within the framework of another competition, which, as we learned, took place even earlier, in 2021. At that time, the competition theme was “digital twins”, and there was minimal time for work, so the project, according to the architect himself, was more of a “student assignment”. Nevertheless, this project is interesting for its plan bordering on similarity with Baroque projects and the emblem of the exhibition, as well as its diverse and comprehensive reflectiveness.
The Steppe Is Full of Beauty and Freedom
The goal of the exhibition “Dikoe Pole” (“Wild Field”) at the State Historical Museum was to move away from the archaeological listing of valuable items and to create an image of the steppe and nomads that was multidirectional and emotional – in other words, artistic. To achieve this goal, it was important to include works of contemporary art. One such work is the scenography of the exhibition space developed by CHART studio.
The Snowstorm Fish
The next project from the unfinished competition for the Russian Pavilion at EXPO 2025, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, is by Dashi Namdakov and Parsec Architects. The pavilion describes itself as an “architectural/sculptural” one, with its shape clearly reminiscent of abstract sculpture of the 1970s. It complements its program with a meditative hall named “Mendeleev’s Dreams”, and offers its visitors to slide from its roof at the end of the tour.
The Mirror of Your Soul
We continue to publish projects from the competition for the design of the Russian Pavilion at EXPO in Osaka 2025. We are reminding you that the results of the competition have not been announced, and hardly will ever be. The pavilion designed by ASADOV Architects combines a forest log cabin, the image of a hyper transition, and sculptures made of glowing threads – it focuses primarily on the scenography of the exhibition, which the pavilion builds sequentially like a string of impressions, dedicating it to the paradoxes of the Russian soul.
Part of the Ideal
In 2025, another World Expo will take place in Osaka, Japan, in which Russia will not participate. However, a competition for the Russian pavilion was indeed held, with six projects participating. The results were never announced as Russia’s participation was canceled; the competition has no winners. Nevertheless, Expo pavilion projects are typically designed for a bold and interesting architectural statement, so we’ve gathered all the six projects and will be publishing articles about them in random order. The first one is the project by Vladimir Plotkin and Reserve Union, which is distinguished by the clarity of its stereometric shape, the boldness of its structure, and the multiplicity of possible interpretations.
The Fortress by the River
ASADOV Architects have developed a concept for a new residential district in the center of Kemerovo. To combat the harsh climate and monotonous everyday life, the architects proposed a block type of development with dominant towers, good insolation, facades detailed at eye level, and event programming.
In the Rhombus Grid
Construction has begun on the building of the OMK (United Metallurgical Company) Corporate University in Nizhny Novgorod’s town of Vyksa, designed by Ostozhenka Architects. The most interesting aspect of the project is how the architects immersed it in the context: “extracting” a diagonal motif from the planning grid of Vyksa, they aligned the building, the square, and the park to match it. A truly masterful work with urban planning context on several different levels of perception has long since become the signature technique of Ostozhenka.
​Generational Connection
Another modern estate, designed by Roman Leonidov, is located in the Moscow region and brings together three generations of one family under one roof. To fit on a narrow plot without depriving anyone of personal space, the architects opted for a zigzag plan. The main volume in the house structure is accentuated by mezzanines with a reverse-sloped roof and ceilings featuring exposed beams.
Three Dimensions of the City
We began to delve into the project by Sergey Skuratov, the residential complex “Depo” in Minsk, located at Victory Square, and it fascinated us completely. The project has at least several dimensions to it: historical – at some point, the developer decided to discontinue further collaboration with Sergey Skuratov Architects, but the concept was approved, and its implementation continues, mostly in accordance with the proposed ideas. The spatial and urban planning dimension – the architects both argue with the city and play along with it, deciphering nuances, and finding axes. And, finally, the tactile dimension – the constructed buildings also have their own intriguing features. Thus, this article also has two parts: it dwells on what has been built and what was conceived
New “Flight”
Architects from “Mezonproject” have developed a project for the reconstruction of the regional youth center “Polyot”(“Flight”) in the city of Oryol. The summer youth center, built back in the late 1970s, will now become year-round and acquire many additional functions.
The Yauza Towers
In Moscow, there aren’t that many buildings or projects designed by Nikita Yavein and Studio 44. In this article, we present to you the concept of a large multifunctional complex on the Yauza River, located between two parks, featuring a promenade, a crossroads of two pedestrian streets, a highly developed public space, and an original architectural solution. This solution combines a sophisticated, asymmetric façade grid, reminiscent of a game of fifteen puzzle, and bold protrusions of the upper parts of the buildings, completely masking the technical floors and sculpting the complex’s silhouette.
Arch, Pearl, Wing, Wind
In the social media of the governor of the Omsk region, voting was conducted for the best project for the city’s new airport. We asked the finalists to send over their projects and are now showcasing them. The projects are quite interesting: the client requested that the building be visually permeable throughout, and the images that the architects are working with include arches, wings, gusts of wind, and even the “Pearl” painting by Vrubel, who was actually born in Omsk.
Architecture and Leisure Park
For the suburban hotel complex, which envisages various formats of leisure, the architectural company T+T Architects proposed several types of accommodation, ranging from the classic “standard” in a common building to a “cave in the hill” and a “house in a tree”. An additional challenge consisted in integrating a few classic-style residences already existing on this territory into the “architectural forest park”.
The U-House
The Jois complex combines height with terraces, bringing the most expensive apartments from penthouses down to the bottom floors. The powerful iconic image of the U-shaped building is the result of the creative search for a new standard of living in high-rise buildings by the architects of “Genpro”.
Black and White
In this article, we specifically discuss the interiors of the ATOM Pavilion at VDNKh. Interior design is a crucial component of the overall concept in this case, and precision and meticulous execution were highly important for the architects. Julia Tryaskina, head of UNK interiors, shares some of the developments.
The “Snake” Mountain
The competition project for the seaside resort complex “Serpentine” combines several typologies: apartments of different classes, villas, and hotel rooms. For each of these typologies, the KPLN architects employ one of the images that are drawn from the natural environment – a serpentine road, a mountain stream, and rolling waves.
Opal from Anna Mons’ Ring
The project of a small business center located near Tupolev Plaza and Radio Street proclaims the necessity of modern architecture in a specific area of Moscow commonly known as “Nemetskaya Sloboda” or “German settlement”. It substantiates its thesis with the thoroughness of details, a multitude of proposed and rejected form variants, and even a detailed description of the surrounding area. The project is interesting indeed, and it is even more interesting to see what will come of it.
Feed ’Em All
A “House of Russian Cuisine” was designed and built by KROST Group at VDNKh for the “Rossiya” exhibition in record-breaking time. The pavilion is masterfully constructed in terms of the standards of modern public catering industry multiplied by the bustling cultural program of the exhibition, and it interprets the stylistically diverse character of VDNKh just as successfully. At the same time, much of its interior design can be traced back to the prototypes of the 1960s – so much so that even scenes from iconic Soviet movies of those years persistently come to mind.
The Ensemble at the Mosque
OSA prepared a master plan for a district in the southern part of Derbent. The main task of the master plan is to initiate the formation of a modern comfortable environment in this city. The organization of residential areas is subordinated to the city’s spiritual center: depending on the location relative to the cathedral mosque, the houses are distinguished by façade and plastique solutions. The program also includes a “hospitality center”, administrative buildings, an educational cluster, and even an air bridge.
Pargolovo Protestantism
A Protestant church is being built in St. Petersburg by the project of SLOI architects. One of the main features of the building is a wooden roof with 25-meter spans, which, among other things, forms the interior of the prayer hall. Also, there are other interesting details – we are telling you more about them.
The Shape of the Inconceivable
The ATOM Pavilion at VDNKh brings to mind a famous maxim of all architects and critics: “You’ve come up with it? Now build it!” You rarely see such a selfless immersion in implementation of the project, and the formidable structural and engineering tasks set by UNK architects to themselves are presented here as an integral and important part of the architectural idea. The challenge matches the obliging status of the place – after all, it is an “exhibition of achievements”, and the pavilion is dedicated to the nuclear energy industry. Let’s take a closer look: from the outside, from the inside, and from the underside too.
​Rays of the Desert
A school for 1750 students is going to be built in Dubai, designed by IND Architects. The architects took into account the local specifics, and proposed a radial layout and spaces, in which the children will be comfortable throughout the day.
The Dairy Theme
The concept of an office of a cheese-making company, designed for the enclosed area of a dairy factory, at least partially refers to industrial architecture. Perhaps that is why this concept is very simple, which seems the appropriate thing to do here. The building is enlivened by literally a couple of “master strokes”: the turning of the corner accentuates the entrance, and the shade of glass responds to the theme of “milk rivers” from Russian fairy tales.
The Road to the Temple
Under a grant from the Small Towns Competition, the main street and temple area of the village of Nikolo-Berezovka near Neftekamsk has been improved. A consortium of APRELarchitects and Novaya Zemlya is turning the village into an open-air museum and integrating ruined buildings into public life.