The new venue of the National Centre RUSSIA will become a point of attraction for visitors from around the world
The new building of the National Centre RUSSIA will be a space that brings together Moscow residents and visitors to the capital from across the country and abroad. Its future concept was presented on 4 April on the NTV programme "Today in Moscow".
"We need to create an atmosphere at the National Centre RUSSIA where every visitor feels a sense of pride and admiration for the country, where people are inspired to dream. And by dreaming together, to build our best future — our happy future," said Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova.
The shape of the roof is based on the image of a protective veil (pokrov) covering the entire country with care, symbolising warmth, comfort, support and confidence in the present and the future. Leading national institutions are involved in the project.
The construction of the space requires careful planning, and the project’s features are shaped by the specifics of its location.
"Construction is being carried out in close proximity to the Moskva River, which creates certain challenges related to drainage. However, this is not the most difficult aspect. The main challenge is that six metro tunnels from three active lines run directly beneath the building, which imposes significant constraints. Work above these tunnels can only be carried out at night," said Deputy Mayor of Moscow Vladimir Yefimov.
At other times, work continues in different parts of the excavation pit — at depths of up to 15 metres. The proximity of the Moskva River also creates additional challenges: the soil is water-saturated, so a special protective wall has been constructed around the perimeter of the site to ensure safety.
The National Centre RUSSIA will be able to accommodate around 20,000 visitors at the same time, and its total area of more than 200,000 square metres is comparable to approximately 29 football pitches. The new space will accommodate significantly more people than the current building. The National Centre RUSSIA will become an important point of attraction for both residents of the capital and visitors from other cities and countries. Cultural, business, educational and outreach events will be held here.
The project is being developed not only on the construction site but also in a digital environment, ensuring precision, high speed and quality at every stage. The digital model operates in real time and is updated daily, allowing all participants in the design process to track changes.
Construction of the new space was launched by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on 26 March. The future complex will become an architectural landmark of global significance — a symbol of modern Russia, reflecting its creative potential, multicultural identity and commitment to innovation. The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Moscow Urban Planning Complex. The opening is scheduled for the end of 2029.
During the spring holidays, the "Geography Lessons" exposition opened at the National Centre RUSSIA.
A series of open lectures as part of the "Space Odyssey" project will launch at the National Centre RUSSIA on 12 April, Cosmonautics Day.
The war correspondent also shared key principles of professional discipline with the young journalists.
