Copyright: © Aleksey Ilin Architects
Fili transport hub
information:
Alexey Ilin /
RussiaAlexey Ilin Architects /
RussiaPartners and Clients
Client - JSC "New Concession Company"
Copyright: © Aleksey Ilin Architects
Archi.ru about this project:
Julia Tarabarina. 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.
Archi.ru: Your architectural office was founded if I’m not mistaken relatively recently, around 2020, correct? And yet it’s already well known for competition entries and major projects. What are you working on right now? Do you spec... moredescription:
The Fili Transport Hub project has been shortlisted for the competition.
Developed by a large, tight-knit team of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists, the project embodies the image of a “window house.” The composition consists of two high-rise towers connected by cantilevered levels. As you move along Bagration Avenue, a framing effect reveals a panoramic view of the Moscow City skyscrapers — an iconic and expressive silhouette of the city.
At the base of the complex lies a column-free space housing the transport hub. It brings together a metro station, the MCD line, a bus terminal, and pedestrian crossings over the railway tracks and the avenue. This is more than just an infrastructure node — it's a true urban public space.
The main hall volume is a modern interpretation of early 20th-century railway stations. This large-span structure not only serves a utilitarian purpose but also impresses with its architectural scale. Inside, there is an exhibition with model airplanes (a nod to the aviation plant that once occupied the site), cafés, and areas for rest. On the upper levels, sports and entertainment facilities offer panoramic views of the city and Moscow City.
The towers accommodate a variety of uses — from business to public functions — carefully selected based on an analysis of the surrounding urban context and neighborhood needs. Polished aluminum is the primary material, used on façades, platform roofs, and interior finishes. It visually and stylistically unifies the entire complex. The design code is reflected in every detail: the distinctive window shape of the tower is echoed in floor plans, paving patterns, lighting fixtures, and hardware.
The building features a unique, high-tech structural system developed by the project’s structural engineers. First, the two towers are erected. Then, the connecting levels are lifted by cranes to a height of 250 meters — all while traffic on the avenue and MCD line continues uninterrupted. The main hall is assembled on the ground as a spatial truss and carefully shifted into place from both sides using temporary supports.
On the rooftop, landing pads are provided for air taxis and drones. In the future, the journey from the airport to Moscow City will take just a few minutes.
