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​Moscow Institute of Architecture: projects by Vsevolod Medvedev group

In this issue, we are reviewing the diploma projects of a group of bachelors from Moscow Architectural Institute working under the leadership of Vsevolod Medvedev, Mikhail Kanunnikov and Elizaveta Medvedeva.

28 October 2020
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Below, we are reviewing the project by the bachelors of the “Prom” department, developed during the lockdown, presented in the spring of 2020, and selected, according to our tradition, by the students’ architectural advisers. The curators of the group were Vsevolod Medvedev, Mikhail Kanunnikov, and Elizaveta Medvedeva.

This year, a group of bachelors graduated from Moscow Institute of Architecture. For the first time in history, a large part of the design process and the presentations took place remotely. This was quite a challenge, both for us and for our students. Unfortunately, the institute was unable to organize videoconferences for the defense of thesis projects, and all works were accepted virtually without any authors’ comments. I cannot quite get what it has to do with – maybe, our obsolete technical base or the conservative policy of our management. Moscow Institute of Architecture, just like many other creative higher educational institutions in this country, turned out to be unable to tackle such a challenge as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the lack of live meetings and discussions, the projects have a high level of elaboration and are in no way inferior to the works of their predecessors.

The choice of the topic of the project is not limited to a single concept. The students chose the direction independently, based on their personal interests and issues that they wanted to address. The scope of topics was quite diverse: from small-scale projects amidst dense city construction to grand-scale planning solutions on the territories of Russia, Europe, and the USA.

We tried not to impose our opinion, but to support and help develop individual innovative ideas. It was important to create a meaningful architectural design based on preliminary research and solving the identified problems. Most of the students’ time, however, was still devoted to developing architectural and imagery solutions. Interesting research became an excellent basis for further creativity, which eventually led to non-standard approaches, and this is the most important thing.

Creative ideas, individuality, and the ability to think out of the box is something that we have been trying to foster in our students for years. As always, we are happy with the result. The whole group is characterized by a unique architectural vision, the ability to defend their point of view and a serious attitude to the profession.


The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
Evgenia Chumachenko

In addition to the cultural and educational archaeology center, situated in the Crimea, this project offers an example of developing public city spaces.

The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko


“Archaeological research can be likened to studying tree rings, by which you can trace the growth, the history, and the development of a tree. With each new epoch, architecture and culture pile up new layers – something new comes around, but the old images and features linger on. The growth rings contain a lot of information; from their thickness and size one can judge about all the significant events that occurred during the tree’s life. It is this specific feature that is used as the basis for the town planning concept of the research and development institute.

The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko


The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko


The master plan of the land site is based on concentric growth rings – simple and complex architectural forms that reflect the evolution process that has been going for centuries in this city and this area. The rings are reflected in the structure of the pedestrian and cycling routes, by which one can go across the entire territory of the complex. Thanks to the rings formed on the master plan, one can single out the main plaza and divide the territory into zones: the institute, the museum, the residential part, and the pavilions, in which models of archaeological monuments are made.

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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman. Archaeological monuments in the southern part of the Crimea
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman. Location plan
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko


In addition to the tree rings, the age layers overlap, forming a “gradient of time” – the older matter lies deeper, while things that are newer lie closer to the surface. The gradient manifests itself in the town planning solution, helping to uncover the space. From the railroad side, the construction is denser; it gets sparser as we move towards the river, alternating with extended recreation areas.

The axis composition is meant to help people perceive the main cultural points of the city – the Kalamitu Fortress, the “cave town” on the Zagaitinskaya Cliff, and Chertova Balka. The main axis also includes the towers of the “ethno-center”, each of which symbolizes the cultures of people that lived on this land at different times. The second axis includes the complex of the museum and the institute.

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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman. The standard plan of a residential building
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman. Section view 1-1
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman. Section view 2-2
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko
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    The complex of Research and Development Institute of Archaeology in the city of Inkerman
    Copyright: © Evgenia Chumachenko


The institute itself is an elongated complex of three buildings, which are lined up along the second town planning axis, starting from the museum and ending in the second unit of the institute. The building of the museum was devised as an arch system that gradually “disintegrates”, bleeding into decorative columns in front of the museum building, and then into a bridge, visually connecting the museum from one bank of the river to the museum part in the institute. The facade of the main institute building also consists of arches that work not only on the facade but inside the building as well.

The project of the Research and Development Institute of Archaeology will become a large tourist and scientific center of the Crimean peninsula that will attract students and tourists alike. The complex is meant to liven up this land and improve the overall scientific and cultural standards in this area.”

The Moscow Film Laboratory
Anna Vorobyeva


“The goal of the project is to support and stimulate the development of cinematography by creating an experimental film laboratory – a place where new formats are created for further promotion and high-quality screening of films.

The Moscow Film Laboratory
Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva


The project will be hosted in the already existing Gorky Film Studio that is situated next to an important center of city activity – the VDKKh park. Such a location makes it possible to reconsider the attitude of the film studio towards the city, at the same time creating a center that is all about the openness of the whole process of movie making, conveying the essence of experimental cinema.

The Moscow Film Laboratory
Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva


The Moscow Film Laboratory
Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva


To develop cinematography, you need to search for new facets of your creative activity, and you need to experiment. Therefore, the basis of the project is the environment capable of adapting to any needs of the creative process: format, attitude towards the viewer, various collaborations, etc. Creating something new and yet-unknown does not have criteria that can be applied to designing habitual structures, therefore, use scenarios are supported by different types of transformations for each of the stages in the life of the new cinema format in the laboratory. The stages correspond to functions: educational, production, and public, all of them complementing each other and providing the resources; at the intersection of the functions, the Experiment begins.

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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. The auditorium
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. The location
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. The context
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. Eductation, experiments, exhibitions, professional work
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva


1 . The creation stage. The “Tower” educational center

The towers consist of independent studios that are arranged in accordance with the stages of filmmaking. Each studio has a floor of its own. There is also a “universal floor”, a transformable space with boundless possibilities for lighting adjustments.

2 . The testing stage. A practicing space: the “Curtain Labyrinth”.

This is the core of the experiment, where the spaces are formed by curtains, or, should a noise-proof environment be needed, by partitions of cylindrical modules, which move from the first level to the second on guides.

3 . The application stage. The production complex “filmmaking promenade”.

The floors move on guides, opening backlots, widening the filming spaces, and forming the “Movie Promenade”. This is a walking area that consists of various fragments; like spectators, people move along the line of changing frames. This is a route where you edit a cultural space of your own, which will always have different scripts or action scenarios depending on the specific activity of the studio.

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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. The structure
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. The structure
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. The structure
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. Education
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva
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    The Moscow Film Laboratory. Education
    Copyright: © Anna Vorobyeva


4 . The movie's premier stage. The “FINISH PAVILION” auditorium.

The main public part of the complex is the auditorium adjoining the preexisting building. The auditorium can be adjusted to fit any specific format. The floor space is occupied by lifting and lowering platforms, and the outer walls open onto the festival square with a pedestrian bridge connecting the public space with the core of the educational center.”

The center for mental health in Moscow.
Yana Kurilova


“The modern world is rapidly developing, constantly changing things that we have grown used to. We live in a stressful environment. Every day the number of people with mental disorders is growing, including in Russia. The project offers a look at how new digital technologies, contextual design and architectural solutions can help society in the area of mental health viewed in the context of this crisis.

The center for mental health in Moscow
Copyright: © Yana Kurilova


The mental health center operates based on a restorative approach. Most of the attention is paid to the employment of the rehabilitant and finding their strengths or talents, and not their illness and psychopathology. This approach builds self-confidence through self-help and self-reliance.

The center for mental health in Moscow
Copyright: © Yana Kurilova


A special program will help to bridge the gap that is there in treatment methodology between diagnostics and urgent help or medication in-hospital treatment. It will also make checking one’s mental health more affordable for everyone. Also, this project can be considered as the basis of a design guide, which offers a possible alternative to urban mental health care in Russia.

The center for mental health in Moscow
Copyright: © Yana Kurilova


The center is regarded as a testing ground for programs that are largely lacking in the current mental healthcare system. These programs will raise community awareness of the level of mental disorders, provide early diagnosis, and support mental health recovery.

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    The center for mental health in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    The center for mental health in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    The center for mental health in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow. Abandoned coach house converted into therapy studios
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    The center for mental health in Moscow. Location plan
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova


The building is a single volume that connects and enshrouds all the other structures on the land site. The pitched roofs of the houses that make up the complex are meant to evoke the traditional image of Home. The corrugated roof gives all the buildings certain lightness and unites all the blocks into a single whole. It also helps to solve the issues with lighting and possible overheating of the building; some of its parts conceal the utility lines.”

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    The center for mental health in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    The center for mental health in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova
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    Mental Health Center in Moscow
    Copyright: © Yana Kurilova


“Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment.
Denis Omelchenko


“The center is situated in Saint Petersburg, in the estuary of the Smolenka River on the Morskaya Embankment of the Vasilyevsky Island. The name of the center was determined by the historical past of the river. In the 18th century, the river had a well-established name of Mayakusha. In the first half of the 19th century, other names began to be used: Chernaya (“Black”) and Glukhaya (“Deaf”) rivers. In 1864, to eliminate confusion with the same name of another Chernaya River, it was named the Smolensk River after the nearby Smolensk Cemetery. Later on, the river got its current name.

“Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko


The Morskaya Embankment has had a pretty complicated history. For years, the city planned to build here Alla Pugacheva Theater, yet, even after three different architectural proposals were considered, the construction never did begin. Due to the difficulties in coordinating the construction of a theater in Saint Petersburg, the idea of building a theater has now been abandoned. It is difficult to say with certainty what is currently planned for this part of the city. The most realistic option is a recreation park. In this regard, in my project, I focus on the preservation of the natural landscape and recreation areas commanding beautiful views on the Morskaya Embankment.

“Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko


The “Mayakusha” center offers various educational programs, developed within the framework of extra education and meant for refresher courses for practicing artists, designers, and other creative groups.

The main goals of the project are:
  • Integration of cutting-edge technologies into modern art and media entertainment;
  • Accessibility of informational and technical resources for creative activities thanks to specially equipped studios for doing various kinds of art and graphic design
  • Creating a “point of attraction” due to landscaping and creating an interactive space for recreation in the river’s estuary.

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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment. Section view 1
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko


The territory of the center includes the project of a park, whose concept largely consists in the idea that intangible digital technologies can transform nature into art without harming it.

The Mayakusha Park is an interactive artistic space that changes due to people’s presence. It consists of overland and water-floating resonating lamps. If the wind blows or if somebody passes by such a lamp, it starts to glow and make sound. Light from one lamp is transmitted to neighboring ones, and so on until all the light passes through the entire mouth of the river. This light from the floating lamps transmits the same bright light to the ground lamps near trees and stones. When illuminated, the lamps emit a sound tone that matches a specific color. When the wind is not blowing and there are no people around, the lamps start to slowly go out.

The main pedestrian route leading to the center is the bridge that starts right next to the bus stop. The bridge features a small expo space for organizing art exhibitions in the warm season.

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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko
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    “Mayakusha”, the education and research center of integrating cutting-edge technologies in the area of modern art and media entertainment
    Copyright: © Denis Omelchenko


Also, the territory of Mayakusha includes an open-air exhibition hall. This space is designed for organizing temporary exhibitions and various events in the summertime (performances, happenings, etc.)

Sculpture Hall: a space for walking among permanently exhibited sculptures. Thanks to this concept of the entrance group, the cars that are driving by down the Korablestroitelei Street can see a very beautiful and unusual view opening up from the park. Still another place like this is situated next to the center, and is securely protected from the wind.”

An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
Lidia Kharcheva


“My diploma project is based on extensive research of the US suburbia, which identified problems that affect the quality of people’s life. The focus was on the Los Angeles suburbs and this is where I was looking for a site to design.

An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva


West Covina is located 30 km from downtown Los Angeles and is connected to it by a highway. The river that runs through the city and the highway that crosses it are problem areas. The fact that suburbia relies so much on the car traffic makes the territories lying alongside the highways the busiest ones, while the residential areas are empty and lifeless. The concrete river bed runs through the central part of the city; it is an exclusion zone that has a solely utilitarian function.

The land site which I chose for design is situated at the crossing of these two “arteries”, making it possible to employ both of them, creating a construction that would interact both with the city and the highway, and begin landscaping the riverside area.

An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva


Placing some of the projects above the highway and alongside it was conditioned by the planning structure of the suburbs, as well as by a need to create a high-profile project that would be read equally well by motorists and pedestrians alike in various parts of the city.

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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva


When I was considering the typology of the future construction, I saw my task in addressing such issues as construction monotony, lack of landmarks, lack of public spaces, parks, and lack of pedestrian connections. Vertical farming is becoming increasingly popular on a global scale. The ever-growing cities are consuming new territories, as more and more people leave the countryside. Traditional farming as we know it is dying out, and now it must adapt itself to the new reality. New methods of plant cultivation, such as aeroponics, hydroponics and aquaponics, allow you to get more crops in the shortest possible time, using several times less water, area, and manpower.

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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva
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    An urban agricultural complex in West Covina, USA
    Copyright: © Lidia Kharcheva


In the case of suburbia, the agricultural complex of such a type will boost the city’s activity and will draw an inflow of tourists, ensuring the autonomy of the surrounding area and providing jobs for the local residents, thus reducing the number of cars.

The complex has several functions: the public one with restaurants and a farmers market, the educational function with classrooms for schoolchildren and master class zones, and the research function with laboratories, while the main area will be occupied by cells for growing plants. Dividing the complex into cells gives city residents the opportunity to rent separate blocks for various purposes and simplifies their operation, as well as makes it possible to build similar centers in other places with the ability to change the configuration of their structure.” 

Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova


The existing buildings that are there on the territory of the former “Khimvolokno” plant are of no architectural value, but some of them are quite suitable for reconstruction, and can be remodeled to perform new and more relevant functions. Those buildings, which cannot be remodeled, will be taken down, and a bee art and technology park will be made here with a campus adjoining it.

Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova


I divided the technology park into six thematic areas corresponding to six arts, which I regard in the order of transition from visual and tactile to aural perception: 
  • Zone 1 – the zone of architecture and design (fully visual perception, and even tactile) – is situated in the very beginning of the park if we are to proceed from the management office building, which marks the compositional beginning of moving around the park.
  • Zone 2 is the zone of graphic art (visual perception with almost no tactile).
  • Zone 3 is the zone of filmmaking, theater, and photography (both visual and aural perception).
  • Zone 4 is the zone of literature and dramaturgy (which can be expressed both in images and words, yet words are used to describe an image, and this still refers to visual perception).
  • Zone 5 is the zone of choreography and acrobatics (visual and aural perception).
  • Zone 6 – the last and the main one, occupying the central location directly at the intersection of the two design axes – is the zone of music.

Why main? Because only music refers to pure aural perception! Only music is something that you can perceive without so much as a tiny image in your head, which is symbolic of triumph of mind over matter (if we are to conditionally assume that sound is something that does not physically exist, and an image always has a physical embodiment). Highlighting the music zone as the key one also resonates with the branding of the city of Klin, which is also based on aural perception (the city’s motto is “Klin... Sounds good!”)

Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova


The open-air music arena, designed in this area, can cater for 3000 people. The arena is elevated 45 meters above the ground; underneath the arena, there is a park with a swimming pool surrounding it. One can also get up to the arena by a spiral pedestrian ramp that circles it. Function-wise, this project may replace a classic city square.

Each of the six zones has everything that is necessary to study the art presented in it, and everything that you need to create, dreaming things up and making them a reality. I distinguish two types of spaces that are necessary to comprehend any of the existing talents.
  • The first type of spaces is meant for individual work on yourself and perfecting your skills, whatever they are. These spaces correspond to a square shape because, basically, what you need for studying or working is an adequately equipped square room with orthogonal walls, a floor, and a ceiling.
  • The second type of spaces is meant for communication / master classes / exhibitions / concerts. These spaces visually correspond to a circular shape because shows, lectures, or exhibitions lend themselves to more complex auditoriums: a circular exhibition, a round square, hemispheric arenas, and so on.

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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova


In my project, a typical building consists of multifunctional production studios, plugged in to water, sewage, and ventilation utility lines, which significantly widens the scope of activity in such a space. Also, the transformable partitions make it possible to join these studios together. In such rooms, you can make virtually any studio you may think of – a model studio, an art studio, or a mini workshop. The workshops are designed to cater for 300 people. Visually, the building and all the spaces inside of it have a square shape, which corresponds to the concept of form matching function.

A typical building of expo spaces includes different types of expo halls, including a 300-seat conference hall. Just like the studios, the expo spaces can be combined to form larger ones due to the removable partitions. According to the concept of the mutual dependence of form and function, the building and all the spaces in it have a round or ring shape.

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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova
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    Art and Technology park on the territory of the former synthetic fiber plan in the city of Klin
    Copyright: © Maria Cheltsova-Bebutova


28 October 2020

Headlines now
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.
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.
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.
​Towers Leaning Towards the Sun
The three towers of the residential complex “Novodanilovskaya 8” are new and the tallest neighbors of the Danilovsky Manufactory, “Fort”, and “Plaza”, complementing a whole cluster of modern buildings designed by renowned masters. At the same time, the towers are unique for this setting – they are residential, they are the tallest ones here, and they are located on a challenging site. In this article, we explore how architects Andrey Romanov and Ekaterina Kuznetsova tackled this far-from-trivial task.
In the spirit of ROSTA posters
The new Rostselmash tractor factory, conceptualized by ASADOV Architects, is currently being completed in Rostov-on-Don. References to the Soviet architecture of the 1920’s and 1960’s resonate with the mission and strategic importance of the enterprise, and are also in line with the client’s wish: to pay homage to Rostov’s constructivism.
The Northern Thebaid
The central part of Ferapontovo village, adjacent to the famous monastery with frescoes by Dionisy, has been improved according to the project by APRELarchitects. Now the place offers basic services for tourists, as well as a place for the villagers’ leisure.
Brilliant Production
The architects from London-based MOST Architecture have designed the space for the high-tech production of Charge Cars, a high-performance production facility for high-speed electric cars that are assembled in the shell of legendary Ford Mustangs. The founders of both the company and the car assembly startup are Russians who were educated in their home country.