"An enormous number of models": architect Ayrat Bagautdinov praised "The Birth of Scale" exposition

The architectural exposition "The Birth of Scale" by the National Centre RUSSIA offers a comprehensive overview of current architectural trends to a wide audience, thanks to the vast number of models on display. This was shared by the author, architectural historian and engineering expert, and founder of the project "Moscow Through the Eyes of an Engineer," Ayrat Bagautdinov. He visited the exposition during the presentation of the reissued book "The World of Engineer Shukhov" on June 4. According to the expert, some of the models exhibited at the National Centre RUSSIA he had never seen before.

"What is valuable about this exposition is the enormous number of models. Over the past ten years, I have hardly missed any architectural exposition in Moscow. And I do not recall ever seeing such a quantity of exhibits anywhere else. Here, models were provided by both the Museum of Architecture, and there are new works I have never seen before. For example, the works of architect Kosinsky, who moved to Uzbekistan after the 1966 earthquake. This includes his remarkable idea of a floating house and a hammam bath," emphasised Ayrat Bagautdinov.

After touring "The Birth of Scale" exposition, the architect noted that the task of the National Centre RUSSIA is to create expositions that interest not only professionals but are also accessible to a general audience.

"The exposition places strong emphasis on exhibits that are meant to impress. There are many of them, they are excellently made, and for this the National Centre deserves great respect," Ayrat Bagautdinov shared his opinion.

"The Birth of Scale" architectural exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA reveals the grandeur of Russia through its architectural legacy. The exposition includes both items from the National Centre RUSSIA and pieces provided by museums and private collectors from across the country. Among them are tools used by architects from different eras, blueprints and models, and architectural designs — both those that were successfully built and those that remained bold concepts. A separate section is devoted to the future of Russian architecture: children’s creative studios, student workshops, and works by young architects.

Watch the series of educational lectures of the National Centre RUSSIA by art historian Yelizaveta Likhacheva and learn more about Russian architecture.

Partners of "The Birth of Scale" exposition include DOM.RF, the Ministry of Construction of Russia, Gazprom, the State Research Museum of Architecture named after A. V. Shchusev, the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art, the Yakov Chernikhov Architectural Foundation, and the HSE Art and Design School.

You can participate in a guided tour of "The Birth of Scale" and attend workshops as part of the educational programme "Children’s Architectural Workshops" free of charge with prior registration on the National Centre RUSSIA website russia.ru. Up-to-date information about the workshops can be found in the "Events" section.