Architectural expositions as a dialogue between eras: international experts reflect on "The Birth of Scale" at the National Centre RUSSIA
On July 30, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the panel discussion "International Architectural Expositions: Relevance, Challenges, Objectives" as part of the closing programme for "The Birth of Scale" exposition. The event brought together leading experts from Russia, Egypt, India, and South Africa for a professional dialogue on the role of exposition projects in the contemporary architectural landscape.
The discussion was moderated by Yulia Napolova, founder of the architecture bureau PS Culture.
The participants included:
- Andrei Chernikhov, architect, professor at the International Academy of Architecture;
- Natalia Shashkova, Director of the A. V. Shchusev Museum of Architecture;
- Svetlana Nikolayeva, Deputy Director of the Department of Museum and Exposition Activities at VDNH;
- Kirill Gavrilin, Adviser to the Rector of the Stroganov Moscow State Academy of Arts and Industry;
- Rajendra Kumar, Director of the School of Architecture and Design, Lovely Professional University (India);
- Alireza Taghaboni, founder of Next Office (Iran).
Speaking about global trends in architecture, Rajendra Kumar identified three key areas of development:
"Firstly, technological innovation — whether it’s BIM, artificial intelligence, or the latest software. This is undoubtedly a crucial trend. Secondly, growing attention is being paid to ecology, the environment, and understanding climate change — a topic of increasing relevance. And thirdly, the trend of cities striving for global identity."
The Indian expert also expressed special appreciation for the exposition "The Birth of Scale":
"I visited the exposition and would like to note that it is truly an outstanding project. I would also like to thank the curator — a great deal of work has gone into presenting how Russian architecture combines tradition and modernity."
According to Alireza Taghaboni, the conference offered an insightful cross-section of the modern world intertwined with ancient cultures:
"Today we heard from speakers representing Africa, Egypt, India — regions with very different histories, and yet they share remarkable points of connection. We saw how people from these cultures are rethinking their heritage, approaching it critically, learning from history and rediscovering its values to apply them in the future. It was a genuinely multicultural and multilingual perspective on design — and on the world at large. Everything discussed here centred on the human being and on respecting the diversity of our time. We must study and rediscover our cultural roots."
The A. V. Shchusev Museum of Architecture played a key role in shaping the exposition, as Natalia Shashkova noted:
"We provided materials for nearly every section of the exposition. But the most valuable and fascinating was the section devoted to Russian wooden architecture, avant-garde architecture of the 1920s, and Russian urban planning from its early stages to the planned cities of the 18th century. The most precious contribution we could offer was original models from our collection. These are extremely delicate, beautiful, and valuable objects. We brought around 50 models representing the wooden architecture of the Russian North."
The exposition "The Birth of Scale" at the National Centre RUSSIA affirmed its significance not only as a cultural event, but also as a professional one. It brought together architects, designers, planners and students, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and the generation of new ideas.
"Any major architectural exposition is, above all, a way to position the country — its achievements, technological and economic potential. It is undoubtedly about exploration, experimentation, and the emergence of an important launchpad for architects to present bold new ideas," concluded Kirill Gavrilin, Adviser to the Rector of the Stroganov Moscow State Academy of Arts and Industry.
The final day of the exposition marked the culmination of a large-scale project that attracted thousands of visitors throughout its run. The exposition offered a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Russian architecture — from traditional wooden design to modern urban planning solutions.
The closing day’s programme will conclude with a formal closing ceremony starting at 18:00. Further details are available on the official website of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Event photobank
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