At the beginning of summer, the results of the architectural competition "Russian Character" became known - as many remember, the Megabudka bureau won with a "summer cottage" project. Meanwhile, in parallel with the participants in the competition, another group of architects was engaged in the development of the same topic. The truth is only for the future: the teacher of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Florence, Seraphina Amoroso, suggested that third-year students think about the Russian character using the example of the cultural center of the microdistrict in Butovo.
Serafina found the conditions and task of the competition suitable for a third-year educational program, the focus of which is precisely on the topic of designing a public building in an urban environment. At the preparatory stage, students analyzed the initial data, studied the historical, climatic, social, economic, cultural and architectural aspects of the project. These studies then resulted in full-fledged concepts. It is worth noting that the students have not yet completed their projects, so it would be premature to assess the results too strictly at this stage. However, in terms of process and design methodology, important didactic results have already been achieved.
The works of five Italian students, as well as the collected research material, were presented in May at the Contests exhibition at the Moscow Biennale, along with projects by other Russian Character contestants. Student projects, in accordance with the general concept of the exhibition design, were printed on cardboard cubes: in order to see everything that was placed on them, the audience had to twist them in their hands. The result is a kind of out-of-competition parallel program that gives an alternative answer to the question posed in the conditions of the competition.
We bring to your attention 5 concepts of Italian students. ***
Student: Alberto Ginetti
The idea is based on reflections on the theme of the utopian "garden city". In addition, the author sought to comply with the rational approach inherent in Soviet architecture after the Khrushchev reforms. Winding walking paths - refer to the Byzantine heritage; the lower floors with smooth lines and organic forms - to the "garden", and the upper, geometric and laconic - respectively, to the architecture of the sixties. Thus, the chronological order of the eras by which the author was inspired is respected.
The building is a system of covered public spaces that can be used at any time of the year.
Student: Ercole Antenucci
The formation of this cultural center can be compared with the movement of tectonic plates: in both cases, a new natural landscape is created (the author was inspired by the landscapes that open when moving along the Trans-Siberian Railway). The volume of the center consists of four pairwise connected buildings, united by a basement. In the interior and on the facades, along with traditional materials for Russia, it was proposed to use super-modern design methods, for example, 3D holograms.
Student: Giulia Lapini
The aim of the project was to create a new landmark while maintaining continuity with the past. Inspired by the Moscow metro, the concept of a cultural center involves the creation of an appropriate atmosphere, which, most likely, will be expressed in decorative elements.
On a rectangular stylobate there is a square volume with a square inner open courtyard. The rest of the stylobate space is a huge square, the level of which gradually descends to the entrance to the building, as if inviting visitors to enter.
Student: Stefano Lombardi
The idea of this project is based on the creation of a center in the form of a model of an urban environment (quarter), only on a more humane scale. All the main premises are "hidden" in the underground level, while on the ground floor level there are only relatively small square and triangular volumes, creating cozy courtyards on the territory.
Student: Luca Zheng
The natural streamlined forms of this cultural center were inspired by water as an element, as a life-giving force. And the goal of the project was to try to make the urbanized urban environment a little more natural and natural. The whole building is covered with a green roof and seeks to become as invisible as possible, to cuddle to the ground. The project resembles the work of the AB-Studio bureau, which was shortlisted for the main program of the competition - the same hill with a green lawn.
