I read the article by A. Yu. Lozhkin. "An idea or a technique?" on the website of the Agency for Architectural News.
I will immediately answer the question posed by the author in the title, and to which the author does not give an answer in his polemical article. Answer: both the idea and the technique! And compliance with the laws in force in the Russian Federation. And creativity. There is no other way, Alexander Yurievich! Otherwise, everything turns into either empty chatter, or a stupid redrawing of previously worked out solutions.
About Alexander Yuryevich Lozhkin, I would like to say only kind and good words. The fact that he left his business in Novosibirsk and moved to Perm is worth a lot. This is an example of what our authorities, when they want, can interest and attract a talented architectural critic and publicist. We argue with him on many issues. But the fact remains - this is an authoritative and intelligent person. The fact that he is a theorist is perhaps even not bad. In Perm, after all, there is a shortage of professional competent architectural criticism, but criticism is in abundance. And Alexander Yurievich is a magnitude. His energy, but in a peaceful direction.
But what I cannot agree with is the shameless outright slander and discrediting of the Russian Russian architectural school. Such a tone is fundamentally unacceptable. As well as praise and admiration for Western experts. A balanced, deliberately detached criticism of urban planning and architectural practice is needed. And criticism of projects and buildings of Russian architects, and criticism of projects of our European colleagues. It's time to abandon the approach in which everything that is built by “ours” is obviously bad; and everything that is only so far offered by the "Dutch" is wonderful. It is necessary to consider each project separately, without regard to the residence permit in the passport and citizenship of the architect.
In order to understand how erroneous the approach of indiscriminate denigration of domestic architects is, it is necessary to accept the fact that almost everything that is built in Russia is 99% built according to the designs of Russian architects by Russian builders. But buildings built according to the designs of foreign architects in Russia can be searched for a very long time! In Perm, they simply did not exist, they are not, and are not expected in the near future.
So far, only talk! Over the past 5 years, we have seen so many projects by European architects that if all of them are built, Perm will become not only the cultural, but also the architectural capital of Europe! Among the many of these projects were really interesting original projects, and there were also frankly weak, helpless, projects that did not stand up to criticism. Some projects of foreigners, if they were considered at the Professional Council of the Union of Architects or at the Town Planning Council under the head of the city, would be rejected with a crash.
In this sense, it is remarkable that none of the projects of the Europeans has yet been implemented. And the majority will not be realized. The only exception is, perhaps, the project of the new Bolshoye Savino airport by the Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. A wonderful project, which is also awaiting its fate, because there is no decision on its implementation yet.
The planning projects, about which Lozhkin A. Yu. writes in his article, are generally a separate topic. This topic is: territorial planning and urban planning documentation. Indeed, KCAP - Kees Christiaanse Architects & Planners is a Dutch company that has not developed a single PP (planning project). And the head of KCAP himself, Kees Christiaanse, will confirm this. The planning project is developed and approved in strict accordance with the legislation in force in the Russian Federation, in particular with the Urban Planning Code.
But KCAP, not only cannot, but also do not want to comply with Russian legislation. Suffice it to say that there is no such term as “master plan” in Russian legislation. Therefore, the words of A. Yu. Lozhkin. The large "portfolio" of KCAP, in which there are many master plans, only confirms that KCAP is a reputable planning firm. Does anyone really argue? Not at all.
Now let's get back to the planning projects. Since 2009, KCAP has been developing a project for block 179 (the territory of the Regional Psychiatric Hospital). But after 3 years, there is still no plan for this quarter. Last year there was a lot of talk about the project for planning the territory of the DKZh-Svetly microdistrict. They said that the project was almost ready. Not a planning project for 2 quarters that were sold at auction, but a project for the entire territory. Until now, this project also does not exist. This fact can be stated because there is no resolution on the approval of the project. There is also no plan for the territory of the Red Barracks. This project was developed by St. Petersburg architects.
But, since Mr. Lozhkin remembered about the projects of Saturn-R LLC, I can report with pride that the planning projects developed by the design institute Saturn-R LLC are quite real and tangible. So the design of the layout of the Sadovy-1 m / r is not just developed and approved, but has already been practically implemented (there is only 1 residential building left to be built, at 86 Yursha Street), and all the apartments are in new houses built in accordance with the layout project (these are houses: Zvonareva, 2/1, Startseva, 17-a, Ponomareva, 75, Ponomareva, 77-a, Ponomareva, 79, Yursha, 80, Yursha, 82, Yursha, 84) have already been sold. A project for the planning of the territory of quarters No. 504, 505, 506, 508, 510, 514, 515 in the residential area of Danilikha, Dzerzhinsky district of Perm, has been developed and has already been approved. A conceptual project for the reconstruction of the urban ensemble of the Esplanade, a planning project for the territory of quarter No. 1001 (Perm Fair), a planning project for the Krasnye Kazarmy microdistrict (even before the St. Petersburg architects) have been developed. And these are only projects of Saturn-R LLC.
Therefore, the question arises: why this unmotivated outburst of negativity from the respected Mr. Lozhkin? The answer suggests itself. Firstly, in order to divert attention from the fact that until now not a single planning project has been approved in accordance with the General Plan of Perm adopted in 2010. Secondly, in order to prepare public opinion for the fact that local builders and architects are to blame for the failure to implement the Master Plan. In conclusion, I would like to wish Alexander Yuryevich less criticism and look for the guilty, but remember his main profession, an architect, and get down to business, i.e. designing the architecture of the beautiful city of Perm.
Respectfully yours, IV Lugovoy, Chief Architect of Saturn-R LLC. 2012-15-03
