По-русски

« It is necessary to keep to the Tver type eclecticism ».The session of the town-planning committee at mayor of Moscow

On Wednesday, the 1st of November, the public town-planning committee at mayor of Moscow took place, where the projects of formation of the Kutuzovskij prospectus and construction of ten hotels were discussed, among authors were Zacha Hadid, Alexander Asadov, Paul Andreev, Sergey Kiselyov

01 November 2006
Report
mainImg

The  session has begun with a minute of silence in honour of memory of architect Evgenie Grigorevich Rozanova.

The first question on the agenda became the discussion of projects of a partial reorganization of Kutuzovskij prospectus and following it the Mozhajskogo highway between the Third transport ring and Moscow Circular automobile highway. This town-planning project was already discussed and has been rejected with the decision to lead competition which final result will be defined also by the committee. Today three from five projects presented on this competition were discussed.  

As a whole projects are close, but there are also differences. The first (International architectural academy MAAM) connects high-altitude buildings in central compositions around of crossing highways. The second (Moscow research and a project institute of objects of culture, rest, sports and public health services the Mosproject-4, architectural bureau Vorontzova) has much in common with the first. It also keeps opened The Apple garden and Poklonnaja mountain, however the skyscrapers here are scattered separately, «as giants», instead of connected in units. In the third project the more dense building concentrated basicaly in the territory of Poklonnoj mountain has been offered.  

In opinion of the majority acted, there are lacks in all three projects. Buildings are strongly pressed to the prospectus, limiting opportunities of its further development, entrance to city is strongly built up which, in opinion of all acted, should be only accented. Also too massive have recognized the prospective building around of Poklonnoj mountain which in the offered kind will reduce visual scale of district, will lower its town-planning and, the main, ideological value.  

As a result U.M.Luzhkov has approved the first project as the concept, having suggested to consider some ideas of the second, actually - to make houses "more interesting": « … we have an  unusual competition here, it is not a building or a group of buildings, but the whole prospectus, and one of the most prestigious … », and to keep the entrance to the city open. According to the mayor, « … we do not pursue the square meters, the first place is allocated to the architecture of the city! ».  

At the session 10 projects of hotel buildings have been considered.
The scale project presented by a workshop of Alexander Asadova, assumes construction above the railway between Savelovskim and Belarus stations, an office-hotel complex with present mountain-skiing descent above it. On a plan the complex should change considerably a town-planning situation in the area divided by tracks on two parts badly connected among themselves - Tver, is closer to the center, and Butyrskaja, behind the stations.
Besides the project includes expansion of the nearest streets, and the complex is supposed to be put on a new line. After long disputes of necessity of a sport center in the city centre outside of green zones, questions of its aesthetics and advantage, mayor has told, that he liked the study of highways, overlapping of ways and use of space above them, but « mountain-skiing descent, as they say, neither here nor there, this project approaches more for the Sochi anniversary, for example. And if we shall put forward the project only because there is an investor we shall find application of its billion ».  

Then the project of a hotel by Zahi Hadid was disscused, which is supposed to put on an axis between Moscow International Center "Moscow-city" and the center, as a prelude of City, not building it in the basic group of skyscrapers. The hotel will be placed in two towers, in horizontal stylobate showrooms are planned. The height of the hotel comes nearer to an average height of the City, 46 and 52 floors. The project has been accepted almost unanimously, with the unique amendment - have offered to create smoother transition from the City, to change places the arrangement of towers from a greater to a smaller one.  

The project of a high-altitude buildings (Open Company " Arch ") in area of Three stations, on Kalanchovskaja area, in a gleam between a tower of the Yaroslavl station and a hotel Moscow has been rejected because of the infringement of balance between already available high-altitude towers of station, hotel and Stalin many storied building. And also existence of the house on this place of 1930th which can quite serve as small hotel on 40 numbers.   

Also the amendments to the project of hotel already discussed earlier on Paul Andreeva's Pushkin area (Tver, 16/2) on a place of « Houses of the Moscow news » have been made. As the town governor has noted, the facades « are primitive and monotonous, it is necessary to adhere to the Tver type eclecticism ». The project has remained not accepted because of a disagreement in a question of a parity of car places - has been decided to reconsider specifications for hotels.  

In area of China-town, in a quarter 5, on a place of " shabby economic constructions not having a historical value » the committee has approved the construction of three hotels (State Unitary Enterprise " Mosproject-2 ") which « on the scale are entered in historical building and offer domestic territories as much as possible accessible to public ».  

In area of Tsaritsyn Borisovskih ponds U.M.Luzhkov has approvingly accepted Paul Andreeva's landscape hotel (State Unitary Enterprise " Mosproject-2 ", a workshop 14), having noticed, that « … only without a flat roof, not 5th floor and with a reference point on Tsaritsino's », that means white-red execution.  

One more project by Paul Andreev which has recently received the gold diploma of "Architecture", the project of hotel in the beginning of highway of Enthusiasts, on entrance to historical city centre, mayor has approved, but has specially asked not to take a column with an inscription « it is three versts up to Moscow », and it is better to transfer it on more appreciable place that « it was possible to estimate distance ». The project was decided to not accept, and in addition to discuss it with the inhabitants of area.  

Concerning the hotel in area Kuskovskii park, on crossing of street Perovskoj and the Svobodnui prospectus, presented by Open Company « Kiselyov and partners », the decision of mayor was following – it should not be above 43 meters, to increase the amount of car places having expanded underground garage.  

Near to Vladimir Plotkin's completed "Air bus", also with a view on the park of Timirjazevskoj academy the construction of the multipurpose Greek center «Ellada» is supposed which on its scale does not concede to the neighbour already become famous (about 30 floors). The project presented by a workshop «LVA», has appeared to be shown insufficiently in detail, there were many questions with its site and mayor has transferred more careful discussion on following session.



01 November 2006

Headlines now
The Copper Mirror
The varied-toned sheen of “unsealed” copper, painterly streaks and fingerprints, exposed concrete, and the unusual proportions – when you study the ZILART Museum building by Sergei Tchoban and SPEECH architects, there is plenty to talk about. However, it seems to us that the most interesting thing is how the museum’s composition responds to the realities of the district itself. The residential district has been realized as an open-air exhibition of façade statements by contemporary architects – but without public access to the inner courtyards of the blocks. This building – that is, the museum – is exactly the opposite: on the outside, it is deliberately restrained, while inside it shines spectacularly, creating its own sunbeams in any weather.
“Strangers” in the City
We asked Alexander Skokan for a comment on the results of 2025 – and he sent us a whole article, moreover one devoted to the discussion we recently began on the “appropriateness of high-rises” – or, more broadly speaking, “contrasting insertions into the urban fabric”. The result is a text that is essentially a question: why here? Why like this?
Dmitry Ostroumov: “To use the language of alchemy, we are involved in the process of “transmutation...
What we ended up having was an extremely unusual conversation with Dmitry Ostroumov. Why? At the very least, because he is not just an architect specializing in the construction of Orthodox churches. And not just – which is an extreme rarity – a proponent of developing contemporary stylistics within this still highly conservative field. Dmitry Ostroumov is a Master of Theology. So in addition to the history and specifics of the company, we speak about the very concept of the temple, about canon and tradition, about the living and the eternal, and even about the Russian Logos.
A Glazed Figurine
In searching for an image for a residential building near the Novodevichy Convent, GAFA architects turned to their own perception of the place: it evoked associations with antiquity, plein-air painting, and vintage artifacts. The two towers will be entirely clad in volumetric glazed ceramic – at present, there are no other buildings like this in Russia. The complex will also stand out thanks to its metabolic bay-window cells, streamlined surfaces, a ceremonial “hotel-style” driveway, and a lobby overlooking a lush garden.
A Knight’s Move via the Cour d’Honneur
Intercolumnium Architects presented to the City Planning Council a residential complex project that is set to replace the Aquatoria business center on Vyborgskaya Embankment. Experts praised the overall quality of the work, but expressed reservations about the three cour d’honneurs and suggested softening the contrast between the facades facing the embankment and the Kantemirovsky Bridge.
A Small Country
Mezonproekt is developing a long-term master plan for the MEPhI campus in Obninsk. Over the next ten years, an enclave territory of about 100 hectares, located in a forest on the northern edge of the city, is set to transform into a modern center for the development of the nuclear energy sector. The plan envisions attracting international students and specialists, as well as comprehensive territorial development: both through the contemporary realization of “frozen” plans from the 1980s and through the introduction of new trends – public spaces, an aquapark, a food court, a school, and even a nuclear medicine center. Public and sports facilities are intended to be accessible to city residents as well, and the campus is to be physically and functionally connected to Obninsk.
Pearl Divers
GAFA has designed an apartment complex for Derbent intended to switch people from a work mode to a resort mindset – and to give the surrounding area a much-needed jolt. The building offers two distinct faces: restrained and laconic on the city side, and a lushly ornate façade facing the sea. At the heart of the complex, a hidden pearl lies – an open-air pool with an arch, offering views of a starry sky, and providing direct access to the beach.
A Satellite Island
The Genplan Institute of Moscow has prepared a master plan for the development of the Sarpinsky and Golodny island system, located within the administrative boundaries of Volgograd and considered among the largest river islands in Russia. By 2045, the plan envisions the implementation of 15 large-scale investment projects, including sports and educational clusters, a congress center with a “Volgonarium”, a film production cluster, and twenty-one theme parks. We explain which engineering, environmental, and transportation challenges must be addressed to turn this vision into reality. The master plan solutions have already been approved and incorporated into the city’s general development plan.
The Amber Gate
The Amber City residential complex is one of the redevelopment projects in the former industrial area located beyond Moscow’s Third Ring Road near Begovaya metro station. Alexey Ilyin’s studio proposed an original master plan that transformed two clusters of towers into ceremonial propylaea, gave the complex a recognizable silhouette, and established visual connections with new high-rise developments on both right and left – thus integrating it into the scale of the growing metropolis. It is also marked by its own futuristic stylistic language, based on a reinterpreted streamline aesthetic.
A Theater Triangle
The architectural company “Chetvertoe Izmerenie” (“Fourth Dimension”) has developed the design for a new stage of the Magnitogorsk Musical Theater, rethinking not only theater architecture but also the role of the theater in the contemporary city.
Aleksei Ilyin: “I approach every task with genuine interest”
Aleksei Ilyin has been working on major urban projects for more than 30 years. He has all the necessary skills for high-rise construction in Moscow – yet he believes it’s essential to maintain variety in the typologies and scales represented in his portfolio. He is passionate about drawing – but only from life, and also in the process of working on a project. We talk about the structure and optimal size of an office, about his past and current projects, large and small tasks, and about creative priorities.
​A Golden Sunbeam
A compact brick-and-metal building in the growing Shukhov Park in Vyksa seems to absorb sunlight, transform it into yellow accents inside, and in the evening “give it back” as a warm golden glow streaming from its windows. It is, frankly, a very attractive building: both material and lightweight at the same time, with lightness inside and materiality outside. Its form is shaped by function – laconic, yet far from simple. Let’s take a closer look.
Architecton Awards
In 2025, the jury of the Architecton festival reviewed the finalist projects through live, open presentations held right in the exhibition hall – a rather engaging performance, and something rarely seen among Russian awards. It would be great if “Zodchestvo” adopted this format. Below, we present all the winning projects, including four special nominations.
Garden of Knowledge
UNK architects and UNK design created the interiors of the Letovo Junior campus, working together with NF Studio, which was responsible for developing the educational technology that takes into account the needs and perception of younger and middle school children.
The Silver Skates
The STONE Kaluzhskaya office quarter is accompanied by two residential towers, making the complex – for it is indeed a single ensemble – well balanced in functional terms. The architects at Kleinewelt gave the residential buildings a silvery finish to match the office blocks. How they are similar, how they differ, and what “Silver Skates” has to do with it – we explore in this article.
On the Dynastic Trail
The houses and townhouses of the “Tsarskaya Tropа” (“Czar’s Trail”) complex are being built in the village of Gaspra in Crimea – to the west and east of the palaces of the former grand-ducal residence “Ai-Todor”. One of the main challenges for the architects at KPLN, who developed the project, was to respond appropriately to this significant neighboring heritage. How this influenced the massing, the façades, and the way the authors work with the terrain is explored in our article.
A New Path
The main feature of the Yar Park project, designed by Sergey Skuratov for Kazan, is that it is organized along the “spine” of a multifunctional mall with an impressive multi-height atrium space in its middle. The entire site, both on the city side and the Kazanka River embankment, is open to the public. The complex is intended not to become “yet another fenced enclave” but, as urban planners say, a “polycenter” – a new point of attraction for the whole of Kazan, especially its northern part, made up of residential districts that until now have lacked such a vibrant public space. It represents a new urban planning approach to a high-density mixed-use development situated in the city center – in a sense, an “anti-quarter”. Even Moscow, one might say, doesn’t yet have anything quite like it. Well, lucky Kazan!
Beneath the Azure Sky
A depository designed by Studio 44 will soon be built in Kenozersky National Park to preserve and display the so-called “heavens” – ceiling structures characteristic of wooden churches in the Russian North, painted with biblical scenes. For each of these “heavens”, the architects created a volume corresponding in scale and dimensions to the original church interior. The result is a honeycomb-like composition, with modules derived directly from the historic monuments themselves, allowing visitors to view the icons from the historically accurate angle – from below, looking upward. How exactly this works is the subject of our story.
​The Power of Lines
The building at the very beginning of New Arbat is the result of long deliberations over how to replace the former House of Communication. Contemporary, dynamic, and even somewhat zoomorphic in character, it is structured around a large diagonal grid. The building has become a striking accent both in the perspective of the former Kalinin Avenue and in the panorama of Arbat Square. Yet, unfortunately, the original concept was not fully realized. In 2020, the Moscow ArchCouncil approved a design featuring an exoskeleton – an external load-bearing structure, which eventually turned into a purely decorative element. Still, the power of the supergraphic “holds” the building, giving it the qualities of a new urban landmark with iconic potential. How this concept took shape, what unexpected associations might underlie the grid’s form, and why the exoskeleton was never built – all this is explored in our article.
Resort on the Kama River
Wowhaus has developed a project for the reconstruction of Korabelnaya Roshcha (“Mast Grove”), a wellness resort located on the banks of the Kama River.
Nests in Primorye
The eco-park project “Nests”, designed by Aleksey Polishchuk and the company Power Technologies, received first prize at the Eco-Coast 2025 festival, organized by the Union of Architects of Russia. For a glamping site in Filinskaya Bay, the authors proposed bird-shaped houses, treehouses, and a nest-shaped observation platform, topping it all with an entrance pavilion executed in the shape of an owl.
The Angle of String Tension
The House of Music, designed by Vladimir Plotkin and the architects of TPO Reserve, resembles a harp, and when seen from above, even a bass clef. But if only it were that simple! The architecture of the complex fuses two distinct expressive languages: the lattice-like, transparent, permeable vocabulary of “classical” modernism and the sculptural, ribbon-like volumes so beloved by today’s neo-modernism. How it all works – where the catharsis lies, which compositional axes underpin the design, where the project resembles Zaryadye Concert Hall and where it does not – read in the article below.
How Historic Tobolsk Becomes a Portal to the Future
Over the past decade, the architectural company Wowhaus has developed urban strategies for several Russian cities – Vyksa, Tula, and Nizhnekamsk, to name but a few. Against this backdrop, the Tobolsk master plan stands out both for its scale – the territory under transformation covers more than 220 square kilometers – and for its complexity.
St. Petersburg vs Rome
The center of St. Petersburg is, as we know, sacred – but few people can say with certainty where this “sacred place” actually begins and ends. It’s not about the formal boundaries, “from the Obvodny Canal to the Bolshaya Nevka”, but about the vibe that feels true to the city center. With the Nevskaya Ratusha complex – built to a design that won an international competition – Evgeny Gerasimov and Sergei Tchoban created an “image of the center” within its territory. And not so much the image of St. Petersburg itself, as that of a global metropolis. This is something new, something that hasn’t appeared in the city for a long time. In this article, we study the atmosphere, recall precedents, and even reflect on who and when first called St. Petersburg the “new Rome”. Clearly, the idea is alive for a reason.
On the Wave
The project of transforming the river port and embankment in the city of Cheboksary, developed by the ATRIUM Architects, involves one of the city’s key areas. The Volga embankment is to be turned into a riverside boulevard – a multifunctional, comfortable, and expressive space for work and leisure activities. The authors propose creating a new link with the city’s main Krasnaya (“Red”) Square, as well as erecting several residential towers inspired by the shape of the traditional national women’s headdress – these towers are likely to become striking accents on the Volga panorama.
Valery Kanyashin: “We Were Given a Free Hand”
The Headliner residential complex, the main part of which was recently completed just across from Moscow City, is a kind of neighbor to the MIBC that doesn’t “play along” with it. On the contrary, the new complex is entirely built on contrast: like a city of differently scaled buildings that seems to have emerged naturally over the past 20 years – which is a hugely popular trend nowadays! And yet here – perhaps only here – such a project has been realized to its full potential. Yes, high-rises dominate, but all these slender, delicate profiles, all these exciting perspectives! And most importantly – how everything is mixed and composed together... We spoke with the project’s leader Valery Kanyashin.
​The Keystone
Until quite recently, premium residential and office complexes in Moscow were seen as the exclusive privilege of the city center. Today the situation is changing: high-quality architecture is moving beyond the confines of the Third Ring Road and appearing on the outskirts. The STONE Kaluzhskaya business center is one such example. Projects like this help decentralize the megalopolis, making life and work prestigious in any part of the city.
Perpetuum Mobile
The interior of the headquarters of Natsproektstroy, created by the IND studio team, vividly and effectively reflects the client’s field of activity – it is one of Russia’s largest infrastructure companies, responsible for logistics and transport communications of every kind you can possibly think of.