The Shukhov Tower is a symbol of Russian radio and television broadcasting, a world-famous symbol of the Soviet engineering and construction avant-garde of the 1920s. On March 19, 1922, a unique antenna tower began broadcasting radio broadcasts, which were received in remote cities and on the outskirts of Russia, as well as many European radio stations. Cellular repeaters are currently installed on the tower.
In connection with the preparation of the decision to dismantle the Shukhov tower, a group of Moscow architects came up with the initiative to develop a project for the development of the adjacent territory and the organization of a cultural, scientific and industrial cluster.
Authors of the project: Asadov's architectural bureau, Madetogether, UFO design bureau, Shabolovka initiative group.
The Shabolovsky cultural cluster is a quarter with a balanced ecosystem for the implementation of advanced engineering ideas. It is a symbiosis of education, culture, science and technology.
The innovation cluster includes the following functions:
- Shukhov Museum of Russian Avant-garde (innovations in architecture and engineering of the early 20th century)
- cultural and educational center
- media center
- studios of architects and designers
- engineering laboratories
- experimental production
Areas of activity: generation of innovative ideas and technologies, their translation, development and testing on prototypes and samples with subsequent implementation in production.
Why is it important?
The Shukhov Tower is not just a monument of Russian architecture and engineering, it is the main attraction of an entire district of Moscow with great potential for development.
Professional scientific restoration of the Shukhov Tower is an ideal way to show the new cultural policy in action, to emphasize the value of the heritage of the Russian Avant-garde and the importance of its preservation throughout the country. The restoration of the tower without disassembling and relocating it is a response to the challenge of the Russian and world expert community, demonstrating the high level of modern Russian culture and respect for the monuments of its own history. The preservation of the Tower in its original place is the beginning of the transformation of a large area of the city, the disclosure of its cultural, business and tourism potential.
The Shabolovskiy cultural cluster is an illustrative example of the transformation of urban spaces through cultural initiatives, capable of setting a new trend in the development of Russian cities.
Historical context
The Shukhov Tower is located in the context of well-preserved historical buildings. More than 70 unique buildings built in the 1920s and 1930s have survived in the Shabolovsky district.
At that time it was a desert area, which made it possible to freely design these quarters - and now you can still feel the atmosphere of those years in them. The Shukhov Tower became the first building on this territory, and then 4 more schools and 2 colleges, 5 unique housing estates, a Mostorg department store, the country's first commune house, 4 hostels, baths and even the first crematorium with a columbarium appeared here.
It is an almost ideal model of a constructivist city, 21 buildings of which are officially included in the lists of cultural heritage (they were recently published
guide). Such an interesting and rich history can become the beginning of the development of a new cultural and social life in the region and a bright milestone in the modern history of Moscow.
Walking route
The Shabolovka area with a lot of interesting architecture of the constructivist era has the potential to be an attraction for tourists and residents of the city. The compact location allows you to quickly get around the entire area on foot or by bike. Already now, every week people come to excursions and lectures about the Tower and the unique area of Shabolovka. Even those who live nearby are surprised how little they knew about these fascinating places.
Located in the middle between the renovated Gorky Park and the reconstructed territory of ZIL, the district can become an interesting point on the way between them. If Gorky Park is an exemplary reconstruction of the central park, the ZIL is planned to be created as an example of the conversion of the largest industrial territory, then the Shabolovsky cluster should become a standard for the reconstruction of a residential neighborhood on the border between the center and the periphery.
Cultural institutions
Now there is already a library and exhibition hall around the Tower, a large art school, a film college and a design college, which are gradually establishing interaction with each other. All of them are located in buildings of the avant-garde era. The gradual involvement of the institutions around it, the development of common programs of interaction, will lead to the creation of a full-fledged cultural cluster.
The next stage of development is the reconstruction of abandoned buildings and unused industrial areas, which will also carry a cultural function in the broadest sense of the word - from a museum and an educational center to an engineering and design technopark and high-tech industries. The synthesis of culture, science and production will make the cluster attractive for investment and breathe new life into constructivist workers' quarters.
Public spaces
The new life of the district is being formed around public urban spaces. Throughout the territory, pedestrian zones are being updated, bicycle paths are being laid. Benches, urns and fences are custom designed to convey the spirit of the place. Tourist routes are identified with special paving. Greening and lighting of pedestrian spaces becomes meaningful and appropriate.
The first floors receive a public function - they house small shops, cafes with outdoor terraces. Spending time on the street becomes as comfortable as indoors, the street is gradually turning from a transit highway into a living space. Cultural life flows from buildings to the open air - squares and courtyards become a full-fledged public space, not only comfortable, but also truly lively.
Materials provided by the authors (Asadov architectural bureau, Madetogether, UFO design bureau, Shabolovka initiative group).
