Recently, a new "trend" has emerged in Moscow: architects, on their own initiative, develop project proposals for the transformation and development of significant urban spaces. I must say that the city authorities willingly support such manifestations of civic activity, which sometimes even leads to concrete results. Perhaps the most illustrative example of this kind is the concept of transforming Triumfalnaya Square, developed by a team of young architects from the Megabudka bureau. Their project caused a wide public outcry, drew attention to the fate of the square and, finally, pushed the Moscow authorities to hold an open architectural competition. Thanks to this, to date, in addition to the winning project, determined by the results of the competition, a serious base of proposals and ideas has been collected, which, of course, will be useful at the stage of implementing the idea of the laureates of the competition. And there are few doubts that the reconstruction will take place in the near future.
Inspired by this example, the architects of the Fourth Dimension workshop - also on their own initiative - decided to prepare a project for the reconstruction of another important urban space - Turgenevskaya Square and Myasnitsky Gate Square, separated by a dense traffic flow and practically lost the function of a public place. But in fact, this territory may well claim the status of a new cultural and intellectual center, given the high concentration of cultural and historical objects there. The Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, the Turgenev Library, the Et Cetera Theater, and the former exhibition hall of VKHUTEMAS are located here, which, with the right approach to reconstruction, could reopen to the public.
The office of the Fourth Dimension workshop is located in Bobrovy Lane, in the same courtyard with the ruins of this exhibition hall. Every day, on the way to and from work, the architects of the workshop observed how the square ceased to be a square: all vacant lots were cluttered with ugly stalls, kiosks and a huge number of spontaneously parked cars. Later, an underground parking was built in front of the VTB 24 bank building, but this did not in any way reduce the number of cars at street level: moreover, many additional technical structures appeared there, spoiling the view of the square.
With the arrival of the new city government, it was decided to introduce paid parking lots, which slightly relieved the territory. Also, temporary metro-building structures were demolished, adjacent to the Et Cetera theater from the side of Myasnitskaya Street. However, the result of the demolition turned out to be rather negative, since the theater wall was not decorated in any way, and the empty area in front of it was occupied by a lawn behind a high fence, which has become a favorite place for walking dogs and "resting" of persons without a fixed abode.
But the most deplorable sight was the gradual destruction of the exhibition hall, built at the beginning of the 20th century by the project of the architect I. O. Kurdyukov in the courtyard of the Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. The special value of this building is that the glazed covering of its multi-colored hall was created according to the drawings of Vladimir Shukhov. However, in the early 1990s. it was decided to dismantle the building, as a result of which the roof structures and part of the walls disappeared. Then only the protests of residents and activists saved the monument from complete destruction. For several years, its ruins remained untouched under the scaffolding. But recently, on the initiative of the owner, a project for a new hall was developed, according to which the frame of the gallery is planned to be finally demolished, even destroying the foundation. In return, the owner of the facility intends to build an Empire-style house that has nothing to do with the destroyed building, moreover, it was made in violation of the current building codes and regulations.
In connection with these events, activists again came out with pickets to defend the exhibition hall, and the architects of the "Fourth Dimension" realized that there was simply nowhere to wait - and there was nothing. This is how an alternative proposal appeared - the concept of restoring the exhibition hall, and with it - the project for the reconstruction of the Turgenevskaya and Myasnitskiye Vorota squares. It was immediately obvious that a comprehensive reorganization of the territory was necessary in order to create a new multifunctional public space capable of linking together all the art and education institutions located around.
One of the authors of the project, Vsevolod Medvedev, said that the main problem of the territory under consideration is related to the rupture of the Boulevard Ring. An island was formed between Sretensky and Chistoprudny boulevards, inaccessible to pedestrians due to the constant dense traffic of cars. To continue moving along the boulevard, a pedestrian is forced to go around, long and painfully overcoming endless underground and ground crossings.
To bridge this gap, the authors propose to build a pedestrian bridge with a lot of greenery - as a natural extension of the boulevard. At the same time, the traffic pattern under the bridge will remain unchanged, and a small parking lot can be organized on the empty “island”. It is proposed to place all the necessary infrastructural objects at the “feet” of the new boulevard-bridge and at the same time to liquidate trade pavilions and stalls of all stripes, which surrounded the entrances to the metro. Also, at the intersection of two boulevards, a branch of the modern Turgenev Library with a winter garden and a reading room could be arranged: after all, it was in this place that its old building was previously located.
In addition to linking the two boulevards, the bridge will also - through a beautifully curved ramp - provide access to the new multifunctional square in front of the Et Cetera Theater. All fences will be removed from there, and instead of them there will be fountains, a stage with a dance floor, a large interactive screen, a lot of comfortable urban furniture and, of course, greenery.
According to the authors, such an area can be used as a front stage for a theater or an additional exhibition area and recreation for Academy students. A winter scenario with a skating rink and a Christmas tree was also invented for the new square. As for the bare wall of the theater, it is proposed to fit it into the landscape with the help of vertical gardening. Such a saturated public space, previously not used by any of the institutions located here, will allow the deployment of cultural objects facing the city.
Transformations will also affect the site in front of VTB 24 Bank. Here, the parking area will be covered with a green space structure, thanks to which the city will receive additional “recreation” rich in greenery.
An important stage in the project should be the reconstruction of the former exhibition building of VKHUTEMAS with an accurate reconstruction of the roof structures according to Shukhov's drawings and the conservation of the remaining part of the facades. The ruins should be placed in a glass box through which the unique roof structures will be visible from the outside. The exhibition hall itself and two gallery floors will be located inside the central volume, allowing you to view from above a spectacular multi-colored space under a huge glass dome. It is proposed to enter the building through the existing arch in the academy building from the side of Turgenevskaya Square.
Also, the project for transforming the area should also touch the post office building, which is currently practically not used due to its emergency state. The huge glass lantern covering the building was broken, and the facades were significantly damaged. The funds allocated for the repair of the post office were only enough for a very superficial reconstruction and painting of the walls. The authors of the project insist that this building should be considered as part of the square - it must be carefully restored and connected with the new public space.
As Vsevolod Medvedev explains, this project has a single goal - to draw the attention of the authorities and residents of the city to the area between Strastnoy and Chistoprudny boulevards, ideally giving impetus to the competition. “If the competition does take place,” comments Medvedev, “then, of course, we will participate in it. It is probably impossible to assess your chances of winning the competition. But our project is quite viable, even taking into account such a laborious task as building a bridge. The main rivals for us, it seems to me, can be large Western bureaus and young Russian architects 25–35 years old, who are very well-grounded in a professional sense and are focused on the instant generation of creative solutions."
Residents of the district have already supported the initiative of the architects, after which the concept was approved by the Moscow Committee for Architecture and Architecture. Thus, there was hope that the success of Triumfalnaya Square could be repeated on Turgenevskaya. If this happens, then it will be possible to talk about a new urban practice: the possibility of an architect to show his civic position, using only his professional and therefore only available to him means - creating a competent architectural project that “speaks” much more than any words.
