"We are racing against time": international architects’ discussion opened the final day of "The Birth of Scale" exposition

On July 30, 2025, the final day of the large-scale exposition "The Birth of Scale" began at the National Centre RUSSIA. Over the course of the exposition, thousands of visitors explored the evolution of Russian architecture — from traditional wooden architecture to contemporary urban planning solutions. Each model on display at the National Centre RUSSIA told a unique story of bold engineering, aesthetic excellence and the pursuit of new heights.

To mark the closing of the exposition, the National Centre RUSSIA welcomed international architects, who joined as speakers in a series of panel discussions. The experts exchanged insights and addressed key topics in contemporary architecture, urban development, and sustainable design.

The final day opened with the panel discussion "Architecture of the Future: Trends and Forecasts for 2050," where leading international experts examined the main trends, challenges and prospects for the industry. The meeting demonstrated that the National Centre RUSSIA serves as a professional platform, bringing together the international architectural community to address current challenges in the field. 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The session was moderated by Anton Nadtochiy, co-founder and chief architect of the ATRIUM studio. The speakers included:

—  Andrei Chernikhov, architect, professor at the International Academy of Architecture;

—  Alexander Kazachenko, founder of the Do Buro architectural studio;

—  Walid Arafa, founder of Dar Arafa Architecture (Egypt);

—  Rajendra Kumar, director of the School of Architecture at Lovely Professional University (India);

—  Nadia Tromp, founding director of Ntsika Architects (South Africa).  

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

 Andrei Chernikhov, architect and chief curator of "The Birth of Scale" exposition, focused in his address on the accelerating pace of architectural development:

"Neuroscientists say that modern humans can hardly keep up with this speed. Today, trying to predict the future is more than naïve — and that applies to architecture, too. I like the words of a philosopher who said that the future cannot be predicted — it can only be invented. When we recall the great utopians of the early 20th century — Bruno Taut and the Russian avant-garde — we can say that it was an era of inventors of the future. That, I believe, is precisely what we are lacking today."

Nadia Tromp, founding director of Ntsika Architects, shared her thoughts on the current challenges:

"I believe that contemporary architecture is facing challenges that also bring new opportunities. In particular, we’re seeing the development of artificial intelligence and the impact it will have on all of us. The technological progress we’re witnessing is immense, and we may see new technological revolutions emerging, happening even faster. The task and the role of the architect will become even more important." 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Revolutionary changes in construction technologies were highlighted by Rajendra Kumar, director of the School of Architecture at Lovely Professional University:

"We are racing against time. This applies to artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and other technologies. In my opinion, the main challenge we face is time — we need to stay ahead of it. In the past, constructing a building might take a year or more, but today we can do it in a month." 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

Walid Arafa, founder of Dar Arafa Architecture, offered a philosophical perspective on today’s trends:

"Architecture is not just about constructing buildings — we are speaking of meanings. And right now, we are inevitably seeing a faster pace in how projects are created. It seems as though artificial intelligence and all these other things are inevitable. But I believe we need to look at this from another angle. We must pause, take a breath and reflect — we should not get stuck on a single approach. We need to offer something new, something more sustainable and rational, something that recognises the diversity of our planet and its cultural systems. We should embrace new technologies — but not forget tradition." 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"The Birth of Scale" exposition has become a significant event not only in the cultural sphere, but also in the professional community, bringing together leading architects, designers, urban planners, students, and all those interested in the development of architectural thought in Russia.

The final day’s programme will continue with the panel discussion "International Architecture Expositions: Relevance, Challenges, and Objectives." The official closing ceremony of the exposition will begin at 18:00. Detailed information about the final day’s programme is available in the "Events" section on the official website of the National Centre RUSSIA.