Published on Archi.ru (https://archi.ru)

30.07.2009

Exhibition complex

Anna Martovitskaya
Architect:
Sergei Tchoban
Studio:
Tchoban Voss Architekten
Evgeniy Gerasimov & partners

We can’t imagine any modern megapolis, a cultural and industrial center without a large exhibition complex. Even though today an exhibition is primarily a high-tech infrastructure with a full range of services, the typology of building requires a bright and catchy architecture, symbolizing success and attractiveness of such kind events. There are such complexes in Milan, Frankfurt and Paris. Now St. Petersburg is also in the list. Yevgeny Gerasimov and Sergei Tchoban designed new “ExpoForum” for the city.

The total area of the site for "ExpoForum" is 56,4 ha. The site is narrowed by Peterburgskoe highway from the north-eastern side and Pulkovsky water basin from the north-west, and its north side is adjacent to a deep ravine with Pulkovka river. Thus, the complex is being installed between the city and its main airport. "ExpoForum" will rest on 2storey stylobate. Because of relief discontinuity it is totally earthed from the three sides, and partly from the west side. Emerging from the ground in front of the smooth surface of the water basin it becomes a support for the open arena for large cultural and entertainment events with seating for 5,000 people. The stylobate will house traditional for such objects numerous parking lots (for cars and buses). On the top of the stylobate there will be open exhibition space area of 65,000 square. m. (so to say, for the future – afterwards it can be used for further development of the complex and partly as an open car parking), a retail and entertainment complex and a recreation area – an impressing axis of cascades of swimming pools and fountains, flanks of green and paths for taxes. To make such leisurely promenades possible al the year round the exhibition town will be covered by glass dome, from a distance it looks like a carelessly thrown transparent blanket. Its "folds" are formed by the grid of diamond-shaped steel profiles, with glass insertions. The most significant “ExpoForum” feature is the building-arch which will be the major entry of the center from Peterburgskoe highway. Covered all over with glass of brightest colors and with the shape of a racing car it is stretched along the highway and is thrown over the square of the main entrance in the dynamic bending.

EXPOFORUM. The first version of the project © SPEECH, Evgeny Gerasimov and Partners
EXPOFORUM. The first version of the project © SPEECH, Evgeny Gerasimov and Partners
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