In the spring of this year, the media reported about the impending demolition of the famous "Glass" landing pavilion at the Sheremetyevo-1 airport. The pavilion was built in 1964 according to the project of architects G. A. Elkina, G. V. Kryukova, M. Chesakova, M. B. Gurevich, L. Ivanov, engineers N. I. Irmes, V. M. Aksenova, A. N. Pritzker and immediately became a "visiting card", a "highlight" of the first large Soviet international airport.
Since the mid-1950s, when the USSR's openness to the outside world has increased dramatically compared to Stalin's times, the country was faced with the task of demonstrating its new, modern architecture to the whole world. Sheremetyevo as the almost inevitable first point of visiting the Soviet country by foreigners, of course, should have made the best, memorable impression. The "Shot Glass" pavilion, progressive both in image and engineering solution, coped with this task "excellently". He looked so unusual that many directors specifically included him in their films, despite the difficulties of filming at the airport.
In connection with rumors about the demolition in early May, the Institute of Modernism (a non-profit organization engaged in research in the field of architecture of the 1950s - 1980s) sent an application to the Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region about the need to place the building under state protection, attaching photographs of the 1970s years from their archive. The materials of this appeal were published on the Archi.ru portal. Around the same time, on the Change.org platform, a public initiative began collecting signatures in defense of the pavilion, which was very successful.
The Ministry of Culture of the Moscow Region considered the appeal of the Institute of Modernism in a timely manner and agreed with the arguments about the value of the landing pavilion. On May 27, 2015, a reply was sent to the Institute, in which it was reported that "Glass" was included in the "List of objects of historical and cultural value and objects with signs of cultural heritage".
On the same day, the Ministry of Culture sent a letter to the General Director of Sheremetyevo International Airport OJSC indicating that the pavilion was included in the list of “declared” objects and that it was impossible to carry out any work at the facility that could distort the architectural appearance of the building and threaten its safety.
In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, it was forbidden to begin any work before the state historical and cultural expertise was carried out and the monument was given a conservation status.
The expertise has not yet been carried out, therefore, the object continues to be in the status of "declared" and is protected by the law of the Russian Federation. International experience speaks of various options for using this unique pavilion: it could house a museum of the Sheremetyevo airport, a restaurant overlooking the airfield or a VIP hall. There could be many options.
However, on July 25-26, 2015, as usual - on weekends, when it is impossible to contact the Ministry of Culture, contrary to the orders of the state authorities and the requirements of the law, the urgent demolition of the Rumka pavilion with heavy construction equipment began at the Sheremetyevo airport. Unfortunately, we have to admit that the legislation has been violated, and we can only hope for a halt in work, further restoration of the pavilion and fair punishment of the guilty.
