Mosinzhproekt's fifth competition for the design of new metro stations ended at the end of August. The best projects were awarded by Zaha Hadid Architects and ASADOV Architectural Bureau. Both are planned for implementation. The architects shared their impressions of participation in the competition and the joy of winning.
How did you decide to participate in the competition? Why did your bureau send an application and were you confident in your victory?
Andrey Asadov: We have been looking closely at the competitions at the metro station for a long time, but until recently we did not dare to participate. But every year we were inspired by bright ideas of the appearance of the stations, so, in the end, we ourselves wanted to participate in this!
Christos Passas: We have always wanted to develop a design for a new station for the world famous Moscow Metro, so after the competition was announced, we decided to take part without hesitation. In such events, you never know who will be lucky, because many contestants present interesting projects. Any competition is a test, so we try to select high-class events with clear selection criteria and a well-organized process. It's also much more fun to work on exciting and meaningful projects.
Tell us, has your bureau previously created the architectural appearance of metro stations or a concept for the development of any object with a transport infrastructure? If yes, tell us, what is the difference between the past experience and the one that you received during the competition?
Andrey Asadov: Before the current competition, there was no participation in the design of metro stations, but there was quite extensive experience in the design of airports. Many things, from the laconic but expressive appearance of the interior to the wear-resistant finish, are similar here.
Christos Passas: We have already participated in such events. Specifically, this competition is interesting because the participants were invited to develop one of the nodes of a complex system of stations and branches with a very rich and interesting history (for example, palace stations), each of which is made in its own unique style.
What inspired you when creating the station project? What difficulties did you encounter?
Andrey Asadov: As with the creation of the airport, each of which necessarily bears someone else's name, the name of the station associated with Georgy Zhukov, a key character in a turning point in the national history of the 20th century, inspired us to a number of meanings and images. Of course, it was not easy to keep between the clarity of meaning and the absence of literal interpretations.
Christos Passas: The Klenovy Boulevard station is located on the periphery of the Bolshaya Koltsevaya line of the Moscow metro. It will become one of the stations of the new generation, and we wanted to develop a unique project - at the same time progressive, celebrating the heritage of the past and convenient for passengers.
What is the Moscow metro for you? What is its identity and difference from the metro in other countries?
Andrey Asadov: The Moscow Metro is a full-fledged museum of architecture and art of the Soviet era. Here the symbolic component plays an important role, so it is important to continue the tradition of creating new meanings now, in the 21st century. And a series of recent competitions at the station, of course, contributes to this.
Christos Passas: The Moscow metro is a dynamically developing system of complementary stations that passengers perceive as a single whole. Interestingly, each station is different: such a variety of styles and concepts is observed not only in Moscow, but also in other cities where there is a metro.
Tell us what is unique about your project and its main idea
Andrey Asadov: Following the traditions of the metro architecture, we tried to develop them at a new stage, combining them with one of the symbols of Victory - the Order of the Patriotic War, a red star with golden sheaves of light. In the ceremonial formation, as if victorious warriors, the supporting pillars froze. Dark side walls, personifying the tragedy of war, visually expand the space. The entrance pavilions in the form of red wedges also bear a symbolic component, echoing the arrows of military maps.
Christos Passas: This project reflects our idea of what a modern metro station can be: easy to operate, with intuitive navigation, backlit notifications for train arrivals and departures, and laconic design. We decided to create complex columns by building a single dynamic chain, and used a special technique to indicate the direction of train movement.
If you had to describe your project in three words, how would you describe it?
Andrey Asadov: Victory, Traditions, Vanguard.
Christos Passas: Bright, dynamic space and intuitive navigation.
What emotions did you experience when you found out that you won? Why do you think the jury chose you?
Andrey Asadov: Of course, it was very unexpected and pleasant to learn that the jury chose our project. From the very beginning, we tried to clearly express the key idea and keep it fresh until the end of the project. Hope we succeeded!
Christos Passas: The news of the victory made us very happy. Probably, the jury chose our project because it offered the most thoughtful and clear plan that fits perfectly into the concept of the Moscow Metro.
