Corten And Concrete

2024 Author: David Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-09 00:53

A center for creative industries called ARTCOR has recently appeared in the capital of Moldova. Its main idea is to bring together entrepreneurs, students, artists under one roof in order to stimulate the development of the country's cultural resources. The project was developed by the bureau of the Chisinau architect Maxim Kaluzhak. ARTCOR is located in the historical center of the city, in the immediate vicinity of the State Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts, and the building of the academy was partially used in its project.

The total area of ARTCOR is 850 m²… Of these, 450 "squares" are located directly on the territory of the academy - on the first floor of a 1950s building. Here there was a place for a workshop, a library and meeting rooms. In addition, dedicated areas for the administration of the center, a bookstore and a shop with design objects have appeared in the old building. The musical part, consisting of a recording studio and rehearsal rooms, was placed in the basement.

Центр творческих индустрий ARTCOR в Кишиневе © Volker Kreidler. Фотография предоставлена бюро Maxim Calujac

Remaining 400 m² placed in a new block. He was "entrusted" with the role of a multifunctional space where all kinds of cultural and business events will take place. So, on the first floor there is an exhibition hall and a meeting room, on the second there is another exhibition hall, lecture halls, as well as premises for workshops and startups. Even higher is the roof - a green terrace, where a staircase (also known as open stands) leads, which can be used for training sessions. The view from the roof opens to the neighboring Kazimir-Keshko estate - an architectural monument of the late 19th century.

The new building for ARTCOR is made of reinforced concrete and covered with corten steel sheets around the perimeter. On the remaining concrete part of the facade, bas-reliefs were placed in the form of organs of perception (and communication) - eyes, mouths, ears. According to the authors, the composition should remind of human nature. The spatial solution of the new block - in terms of the building is almost triangular - is dictated by the configuration of its 1200 m section² and the nearby buildings, one of which is the state-protected estate of the Kazimir-Keshko family.

The appearance of the interior is determined by the structural system of the building: a heavy coffered ceiling, internal staircases, stands, tinted concrete walls.

The architects managed to get an additional 300 m²to create a public space there. For this, old warehouses and temporary buildings were demolished. At the entrance, next to the roadway, a sculpture "Tree of Knowledge" was erected. A small “stone river” is not only a decorative element and “road markings” that highlight the walking route, but also a part of the storm sewer.

The project participates in the award organized by the ArchDaily portal, Strelka KB and the Strelka Institute. Young architectural firms from the post-Soviet space can participate in the competition. The names of the three winners will be announced on 19 August.

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1/3 ARTCOR Creative Industries Center in Chisinau © Volker Kreidler. Photo courtesy of Maxim Calujac
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2/3 Creative Industries Center ARTCOR in Chisinau © Volker Kreidler. Photo courtesy of Maxim Calujac
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3/3 ARTCOR Creative Industries Center in Chisinau © Volker Kreidler. Photo courtesy of Maxim Calujac