Russia as part of global civilisation with unique characteristics: interim results of the architectural dialogue summed up at the National Centre RUSSIA
The lecture
"Russian Architecture in the Global Context" took place at the
National Centre RUSSIA on May 30. It was the seventh event in a series of
educational lectures on the architecture of our country. The series will
continue in June, offering new meetings for guests.
The
moderator of the lecture was art scholar and architectural historian Yelizaveta
Likhacheva. The speaker was Andrei Chernikhov, Professor of the International
Academy of Architecture (IAA), Head of the Architecture Programme at the HSE
University, President of the Yakov Chernikhov Foundation, and curator of
"The Birth of Scale" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The experts
emphasised that Russian architecture is part of intercultural dialogue and
discussed the contribution of Russian architects to the development of global
architecture.
"This
was a conversation about the place Russia occupies in global architecture —
what it has given to the world and what it has absorbed from it. Architecture
is an international art form. Ideas born in different eras and countries move
it forward. Architects from all over the world look at one another and know
what their peers are doing," said Andrei Chernikhov.
For
centuries, Russian architecture has been an essential part of global architectural
heritage, constantly engaging in dialogue with international cultural and
stylistic trends. From Byzantine influences to European Baroque and Classicism,
Russia has not only adopted and reinterpreted foreign styles but has also
offered the world unique solutions, shaping a distinctive national identity.
According
to Andrei Chernikhov, over the past 30 years, Russian architecture has become
more socially oriented and aesthetically refined.
"In
Moscow, there are already three generations of young architects who not only
compete successfully, but also represent a whole spectrum of architectural
talent. They learn the craft very quickly and enter the profession with
remarkable projects," said Andrei Chernikhov.
Yelizaveta
Likhacheva focused attention on the Narkomfin Building, located on Novinsky
Boulevard in Moscow. It is a monument of Soviet avant-garde and constructivist
architecture. The building is unique for its layout, innovative engineering
solutions, and the concept of communal living. The apartments are referred to
as "cells," and all of them are two-storey. The living room windows
face west to enjoy the sunset, while the bedroom windows face east to wake up
with the first rays of the rising sun. A communal dining room and laundry were
available to residents, with household tasks handled by staff. The architects
behind the project were Moisei Ginzburg and Ignaty Milinis — leading experts of
their time.
A model of
the Narkomfin Building is on display at "The Birth of Scale"
exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Yelizaveta
Likhacheva also summed up the interim results of the architectural lecture
series.
"Our
lectures featured outstanding experts — architects and architectural
historians. The audience response has been very positive, so we’ve decided to
continue. We’ll return soon with new ideas and topics. Our lectures on the
National Centre RUSSIA website have been viewed by over 35,000 people, and more
than a thousand guests have attended in person," said Yelizaveta
Likhacheva.
According to
her, the lectures have shown that Russia is part of global culture and
civilisation, with its own unique characteristics.
You can attend events of the educational programme free of charge by pre-registering on the website of the National Centre RUSSIA at russia.ru. Current information is published in the "Events" section.
You can learn more about Russian architecture through the series of educationallectures at the National Centre RUSSIA delivered by art historian Yelizaveta Likhacheva.
"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.
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.
Event photobank
The history of Russian architecture, bold concepts, and Soviet urban planning projects realised across the globe were presented to delegations of the exposition on May 31.
These mills were technological structures, each one a complex mechanism despite its apparent simplicity.
The workshop "Apartment Planning Through a Child’s Eyes" took place on May 30 as part of the educational programme of "The Birth of Scale" exposition at the National Centre RUSSIA.
