WOWHAUS:

. Frozen Magma

A competition for the creation of a public and cultural center was held in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Three architectural companies made it to the final, and we consider it important to share about the work of each. Let’s start with the winner – the consortium led by Wowhaus.

Julia Tarabarina. 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.

Julia Tarabarina. The Black Mountain

The project of reconstructing the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet theater developed by Wowhaus, which won the competition, proposed a total demolition and new construction, as well as considerable expansion (up to 8 floors) – and transformable multifunctional spaces. The new project, however, does retain the recognizable elements and the image of the old theater. As for the main spectator hall, it is turned – figuratively speaking, of course – into a semblance of a black volcano.

Nina Frolova, Julia Tarabarina. We work remotely: Moscow architects about working from home during the pandemic

In this article, we are speaking to the leaders of a few Moscow architectural companies about their plans for remote work caused by the #COVID19 pandemic.

Elena Petukhova. ​The Social Biology of Landscape

The list of new typologies of public spaces and public projects has been expanded yet again — thanks to Wowhaus. This time around, this company came up with a groundbreaking by Russian standards approach to creating a place where people and animals can communicate.

Julia Tarabarina. ​Civitas ludens*

Tula, the city of rugged gunsmiths, got a new embankment – a relaxed space of a postindustrial type. It promptly reacts to all the difficulties presented by the context, treating them nicely and easily, more like a game than a tough challenge. The city center came alive with colors, interesting space solutions, and a multitude of possible behavioral scenarios. There are also lots of unusual and exciting kinds of entertainment for kids as well.

Anna Agaphonova. ​Embroidery on Context

What is the Moscow Monorail metro line – a means of transportation or just an amusement ride? Keeping it in working order is detrimental to the city budget, and generally it is like a suitcase without a handle. The Wowhaus interns worked on the project of turning the Monorail into a “Monogarden”, a giant (5 square kilometers) urban tourist attraction that picks up on both local and city scenarios in terms of function and imagery as well.

Elena Petukhova. ​The Red Park

Wowhaus turned a park in the center of Moscow into a great space for recreation and outdoor activities where everyone will find a place for himself by following red guiding marks.

Alla Pavlikova. Seven Hills of Moscow

Seven installations for Moscow Fireworks Festival and a multistory raft in the city of Vyksa – these and other projects were realized by the team of interns of the 4th internship of Wowhaus.

Alla Pavlikova, Julia Tarabarina. ​Re-cultivation of the City Center

The project of reorganizing the embankment in the center of Tula helps the city to recover the hundred-year-old complex that has been revised with regard to the principles of modern urban planning.