Project for the new National Centre RUSSIA building presented at ARCH MOSCOW exposition

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The project for the future building of the National Centre RUSSIA, one of the capital's most technologically advanced public spaces and the country's future architectural symbol, was presented for the first time at the XXXI International Architectural and Design Exposition Forum ARCH MOSCOW. The project was shown at the stand of the ATRIUM architectural bureau, which developed the building concept. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, launched construction of the new building on 26 March 2026.

"The new space of the National Centre RUSSIA will become an architectural event of global scale. The project is being implemented in complex engineering and geological conditions. The excavation pit is 15 metres deep, and the construction site is located above six operating tunnels of three metro lines. Several design institutes and specialised organisations were involved in developing the roof that will cover the world's largest panoramic amphitheatre. Modern technological solutions are being used in construction," said Deputy Director General for Construction and Operation of the National Centre RUSSIA Ksenia Mayer.

According to Ksenia Mayer, all spaces have been designed to transform quickly. This will make it possible to hold more than five events at the same time. For example, the stalls of the congress and concert hall can be "converted" into a flat space in 15 minutes. In addition, a digital visitor passport system will be introduced at the National Centre. Thanks to this, guests will be able to track the Events schedule online, see how full the functional zones are, follow a selected thematic route or listen to international speakers using a built-in online translator.

"The National Centre team is developing the concept for the landscape park and the interiors of the space, which we will certainly continue to talk about. We aim to create spaces that inspire pride in the country, and are comfortable, convenient and, of course, technologically advanced," Ksenia Mayer added.

Co-founder and Chief Architect of the ATRIUM studio Anton Nadtochiy emphasised that it was important to create not just a building, but a new point of attraction where technology would serve human comfort and the quality of urban life.

"The new National Centre building is a multifunctional facility. It will include 50,000 square metres of temporary expositions and 10,000 square metres of permanent expositions, a cinema and concert hall, ancillary premises and a large entrance area. Most importantly, it not only accommodates functions the city needs, but also creates a new public space. I am confident that the new National Centre will become one of the most beloved places among city residents, and the building itself will become a new symbol of the city and the country," Anton Nadtochiy said.

According to Anton Nadtochiy, the team faced the difficult task of creating a building that embodies the country's diversity. The idea is based on the image of a flying cover — a dynamic plane that "hovers above the ground". This symbol, Anton Nadtochiy explained, expresses an aspiration towards the future, while remaining a modern form and at the same time universal for the whole of Russia, bringing together its many facets.

The architect clarified that turning to the bionic style helped connect the large-scale public complex with human perception and the urban context. The form, inspired by nature, made it possible to avoid excessive monumentality while creating a recognisable silhouette visible from different points in the city.

The experts also noted the scale and functional content of the project. According to the design, the National Centre RUSSIA will occupy more than 205,000 square metres and will be able to accommodate up to 19,000–20,000 guests at the same time. It is a multi-level public space that harmoniously combines business, cultural, educational and leisure functions.

The International Exposition Forum ARCH MOSCOW is being held at Gostiny Dvor from 27 to 30 May. During the exposition, curator-led tours are held at the stand, where the ATRIUM bureau gives detailed presentations on the future building, its architecture and technologies.