Space design projects for orbital stations await guests at "The Birth of Scale" exposition

At "The Birth of Scale" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA, one can see not only models of architectural objects, but also sketches of interiors for spacecraft and an orbital station, authored by Galina Balashova, who became one of history's first space architects and designers.

Her projects were classified for a long time, but after publication, they gained worldwide recognition as an example of outstanding and innovative design work.

"Galina Balashova developed designs for habitable modules for Soviet spacecraft and orbital stations for almost 30 years as part of Sergei Korolev's Design Bureau OKB-1 (now S. P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation 'Energia')," explained Dmitry Lesnykh, a guide at the National Centre RUSSIA.

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"The Birth of Scale" exposition features the initial and final design versions for the interior of the orbital (habitation) module of the Soyuz spacecraft, preliminary sketches of the interior of the habitation module for the Lunar Orbital Spacecraft, the initial interior design version for the working area of the Mir orbital station, a sketch of the realised interior design for the orbital (habitation) module of the Soyuz-T spacecraft, and a sketch of the interior of the Mir space station with colour zoning.

Balashova's design is characterised by simplicity, functionality, attention to detail, and aesthetics.

"The Birth of Scale" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA showcases completed architectural projects as well as ideas that remain only as concepts. The exposition consists of both the National Centre RUSSIA's own objects and those provided by museums and private collectors across the country.

You can learn more about Russian architecture through the series of educational lectures at the National Centre RUSSIA delivered by art historian Yelizaveta Likhacheva.

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 Charitable Architectural Foundation, and the HSE Art and Design School.