Russian Open with Adriaan Geuze & Eugene Asse, Amsterdam

What's happening within the field of architecture In Russia, now the rigid soviet planning system slowly is giving way to more participatory models? With public space becoming a topic of public discussion and a meaningful tool in creating more lively cities, we take a look at important architectural projects involving the development of (semi) public spaces. A delegation of local architects will put the current need for open spaces into context, explaining how Russian cities are changing. At the same time, Dutch architects are also involved in creating public areas in Russia that bring together residents, meeting spaces, apartments and recreation. How are they implementing their skills in today’s Russia and how is their knowledge being valued? What can we learn from ‘Urbanism’ as a widely accepted model to improve local neighbourhoods?

With among others:

Markus Appenzeller

Director and Partner MLA+

Eugene Asse

Dean, MARCH Architectural School

Dasha Paramonova

CEO at Strelka architects

Julia Bourdova

Principal Buro Moscow

Olga Aleksakova

Principal Buro Moscow

Pero Puljiz

Architect/partner, de Architekten Cie.

Michiel van Driessche

Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners

Adriaan Geuze

Landschapsarchitect, WEST8

Marina Lepeshkina

General Plan of Moscow

© de Architecten Cie.

de Architecten Cie.

As an architect at de Architekten Cie., Pero Puljiz visited Russia more than twenty times while working on large-scale projects. One of his projects is the Rubleskoye Shosse Court design: a new generation of residential complexes in the Moscow cityscape. From the inside of the block, the plinth organizes a private courtyard and accommodates a series of amenities. The residential towers are positioned in such a way they articulate prominent corners and allow splendid views. He will share his experiences and compare the use of public space in the Netherlands and Russia.

Buro Moscow

Founded by Julia Bourdova & Olga Aleksakova, Buro Moscow aims to change city environments. With their project Truimfalnaya they created a square in the very heart of Moscow with trees, flower beds and even swings.

© Felixx

Felixx

As a senior landscape architect at Felixx, a Rotterdam-based office for proactive landscape architecture, Michiel van Driessche served on a range of projects, both large-scale master plans and detailed designs of public spaces. Together with de Architecten Cie. they recently won an international competition to transform the historic Russian city of Chelyabinsk. Their idea is to activate the city’s existing grid structure and to use it as a vehicle for spatial transformation.

MLA+

Since the beginning of his career, architect Markus Appenzeller has been involved in large-scale architecture projects. Nowadays he is the director of MLA+, an office that combines architecture, planning, and consultancy, where he works on several international projects, including cases in Russia. What can we learn from the current developments in Russia? And how is the bottom-up culture connected with the field of architecture, according to his experiences?

© asse.ru

What Happened To My Buildings?!

Inspired by the hilarious self-reflection of Marlies Rohmer, we ask architects to review their own buildings. Curator, architect, and teacher; Eugene Asse is an all round artist that has been working within the field of architecture for more than 30 years. He is also the founder of MARCH, an independent school of architecture in Moscow. He will reflect on his own building projects and take a good look at his own work. What would he have done differently and does his work stand the test of time?

Dasha Paramonova

As Director of Bureau Alexander Brodsky and CEO and teacher at Strelka, an architectural office established by Strelka KB, Dasha Paramonova knows all about Russian cities. How are they changing and what urban development is taking place?

Soundtrackcity

Discover the sounds of the city with Sountrackcity. Their sound walks tell stories about the history, present and future of a neighbourhood, based on stories by local residents. For Architecture Now!, they will take you to public spaces in cities, combining sound, voices and background noise.

Read more

Skating Public Space

Public space is being developed amongst large-scale Soviet Bloc housing in ways that encourage skateboarders. Just think of when skateboarders were put under surveillance in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall because the Communists were suspicious of the sport’s American origins.

Eugene Asse: An Architect with a Strong Voice

We have talked to Eugene Asse, the founder of the Moscow School of Architecture (MARCH) who runs his own design office and discussed national education peculiarities and architectural identity among other topics.

Nonofficial culture in Russia is flourishing - and it is less underground than we think

The picture of Putin's Russia has gaps. Alongside the frauds and repression, there are other developments taking place in Russia. Particularly underexposed are developments in Russian creative industries and independent journalism. For creative inspiration, Russia is an excellent travel destination.

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