The competition of concepts for the development of the Zaryadye territory is coming to an end, but it was still unknown how the ideas proposed by the participants could be used. This week, the chief architect of Moscow, Alexander Kuzmin, explained that they will form the basis of the terms of reference for another competition: either Russian or international, the decision on which will be made later. The past competition, first of all, made it clear what should not be in Zaryadye, says Viktor Logvinov, president of the Moscow Union of Architects. So, on the site of the hotel "Russia" there should definitely not appear high-rise buildings, large commercial objects, monumental sculptures, squares for parades, demonstrations and rallies. According to the architect, the attributes of the ceremonial style are completely excluded.
Another large-scale project of the Moscow authorities is connected with the creation of a network of pedestrian roads in the center of the capital, according to the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. In total, it is planned to open 12 routes for walking, for which several streets will have to be completely freed from vehicles, including Lenivka and Nikolskaya. Pedestrian routes will connect the main sights of Moscow and will run from Revolution Square to Lavrushinsky Lane. Moskomarkhitektura has already approved architectural and planning studies for projects of pedestrian zones. Work on the improvement of the routes will begin when they are approved by the mayor's office.
Not only Moscow streets are being prepared for reconstruction, but also the public center “Peace, Progress, Human Rights” named after Andrei Sakharov, located in a two-story mansion on Zemlyanoy Val. The American firm Ralph Appelbaum Associates was invited to solve the problems of expansion and re-exposure of the center, the newspaper Moskovskie Novosti writes. The architects proposed to combine the two objects (the mansion and the exhibition garage located next to it) with a single glass capsule, which will be attached to the end of the historic building and will completely cover the garage. A two-story transparent "cover" will create additional space in which it will be possible to equip rooms for various purposes. During the reconstruction, special attention will be paid to the renewal of the permanent exhibition of the center.
Grigory Revzin once again talks about the expansion of Moscow and the possible relocation of a number of government agencies to the science city of Troitsk and its environs. An architectural critic considers this idea of Dmitry Medvedev to be an attempt to manage those structures that are under his control: officials, educational, scientific and cultural institutions. It is much more difficult, according to Revzin, to develop abandoned factories, military units and exclusion zones, which occupy about 33 percent of the city's territory and really require a radical urban rethinking. RIA Novosti continues the theme of the development of the Moscow agglomeration, publishing an interview with Borina Andrew, director of the French architectural agency Wilmotte & Associés. She, in particular, talks about the proposals that the bureau is developing within the framework of the competition for the "Greater Moscow" project. In particular, according to Andrew, Moscow should be turned to face the river.
Regnum news agency reports that the defenders of the Priory Park in Gatchina succeeded in obtaining a promise from officials to conduct a historical and cultural examination before the construction of the Regional Theater began. The site, which is designated for the construction of a 21-meter building, is located in the center of the palace and park ensemble, and, according to the law, it is possible to build here only after a full-scale excavation has been carried out. In addition, activists doubt the feasibility of the project: it is unlikely that residents of the Leningrad Region will come to Gatchina to watch the performances of the Regional Theater.
And in St. Petersburg, Alla Pugacheva presented a project of her Song Theater, which is planned to be built at the mouth of the Smolenka River on Vasilyevsky Island, Gazeta.ru reports. The architectural solution of the complex was developed by the British architectural bureau Populous. The shape of the building will resemble a diamond; its height will reach 100 meters. The cultural center will include a concert and exhibition halls, a recording studio, a school of producers, a business center, cinemas, restaurants, apartments, a hotel and a two-story parking lot. If the city planning council of St. Petersburg approves the project, the construction of the complex will begin this year, and will be completed approximately in 2016. But in any case, the center will not appear before the construction of the highway connecting Vasilievsky Island with the southern and northern districts of the city. Petersburgers consider the project of the Song Theater quite controversial. In addition, the law prohibits the construction of hotels and apartments on this territory, and it is not yet clear how and by whom this contradiction will be resolved.
Residents of St. Petersburg are outraged by the construction of a business center in the courtyard of the house of the state controller at 74 Moika Street. The upper floors of the commercial building rise above the architectural monument and are visible even from St. Isaac's Square. After a wave of speeches by activists, work in the courtyard area was suspended, now options are being worked out to reduce the number of storeys in the building. However, the developer does not intend to dismantle the already erected structures.
A town planning council was held in Sochi to discuss the concept of public spaces in the city center. The experts concluded that in order to improve the urban environment, public spaces need to be freed from commerce. The main principle of organizing urban spaces should be the creation of continuous landscaping along the main walking routes. It is also proposed to withdraw the main traffic flows from the city center, to convert part of the housing into hotels, to build cinemas and playgrounds, and to reconstruct the embankments.
On April 18, the day of monuments and historical sites was celebrated all over the world. Festive events were also held in Russian cities, and some of them will only take place next weekend. So, on April 21, an excursion along Povarskaya Street will take place in Moscow. And in the city on the Neva on this day, closed objects will open their doors for visitors: Pelya's pharmacy, Pulkovo Observatory, A. F. Kelkha, Russian Geographical Society, house of M. P. Botkin and the Mariental fortress. The Day of Monuments was also marked by the Russian branch of the international organization for the protection of architectural monuments DOCOMOMO. Its Secretary General Anna Bronovitskaya told Gazeta.ru about the activities of this organization. Currently, DOCOMOMO is dealing with the fate of the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, trying to prevent the development of the territory of the legendary complex.
