Architect Andrei Chernikhov unveiled the main idea behind the "Birth of Scale" exposition

On March 1, the National Centre RUSSIA will host the opening of the "Birth of Scale" exposition, dedicated to Russian architecture and urban planners. The exposition will showcase the most striking, ambitious, and extraordinary architectural projects, as well as past and present concepts.

The chief curator of the "Birth of Scale" exposition, architect Andrei Chernikhov, stated that the project is built around several key ideas. According to him, the primary goal of the exposition is to help visitors grasp the scale and grandeur of Russia.

"Living in the largest country in the world, we do not always perceive this scale. Only when flying from one end of the country to the other — something that rarely happens — do we realize the vast distances, spaces, and expanses. This generates a completely different sense of scale. Moreover, the fact that we have constantly had to develop enormous territories while expanding our state borders has given rise to entire urban planning models and architectural concepts," the architect explained.

The second important objective of the exposition is to demonstrate what Russian genius is capable of when it comes to architecture. In Andrei Chernikhov’s opinion, it is essential to highlight the originality and uniqueness of ideas developed by Russian architects throughout different periods. 

Photo: Sergey Baranov / Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"Despite the fact that we borrowed a lot, as our development was very rapid, our architects created an enormous number of original projects, ideas, and concepts of their own. This includes Tatlin's Tower and, more broadly, the work of architects in the 1920s and 1930s, when we were rebuilding the country, reshaping it, and truly creating new architecture and new cities," emphasized Andrei Chernikhov.

The curator of the exposition highlighted the great significance of the National Centre RUSSIA as a venue for the display. "Even in its name, this centre is extremely ambitious — in the best sense of the word. And these ambitions align in essence and spirit with architecture," noted Andrei Chernikhov.

He added that architecture is something that first emerges in the imagination and then remains on the ground for decades or even centuries. In Andrei Chernikhov’s view, the "Birth of Scale" exposition seamlessly fits into the concept of the National Centre RUSSIA.