Object: Elektrozavod
Developer: Etalon
Geo: Moscow, Russia
The editorial team, always tossing in topics for commentary, suggested we write about the much-talked-about Elektrozavod. It immediately brought to mind the Rostec building "VNIIALMAZ," tucked away in the courtyards off Prospekt Mira. From there, my thoughts quickly drifted to the fact that northern Moscow does not inspire much reverence in me, and the best association is the "Olympiyskiy" complex rising there: some hyperbolized mass that seems to have swallowed the site whole. Nearby stand a colossal mosque, the Army Museum, and a complete lack of spatial logic — as if objects that never quite fit into VDNKh were moved into these courtyards, an architectural vinaigrette with a Luzhkov-era aftertaste.
Closer to the Yauza in the northeast, the story is similar, only the facades are older and the atmosphere has a more honest St. Petersburg vibe. You drive through this environment and suddenly see the beautiful Gothic portal of Elektrozavod — a rare sight on Moscow’s streets and therefore one that stays in memory.
A recent article on Archi.ru said the building is planned for demolition, and the architectural community has started speaking out in its defense.
I’ll add my own view: industrial buildings of that era have enormous structural strength reserves. I wasn’t there with a candle, but it seems to me that nobody simply wants to deal with the renovation — in this case, Etalon.
If preserving the former cultural heritage really feels too complicated, there is another compromise. A good example would be the well-known projects near Zaryadye and Bolotnaya: partial preservation of the facade outline and complete demolition of the interior. That way, you keep both the history you can touch and the visual image of the key facade, and ultimately the historical identity. There is only one problem: you would need to add the extra complexity of linking the historical contour with contemporary architecture — but, forgive me, you are not demolishing a five-story panel block here.
@gorkjournal · GORK
3D · Photo · Render · AI
Developer: Etalon
Geo: Moscow, Russia
The editorial team, always tossing in topics for commentary, suggested we write about the much-talked-about Elektrozavod. It immediately brought to mind the Rostec building "VNIIALMAZ," tucked away in the courtyards off Prospekt Mira. From there, my thoughts quickly drifted to the fact that northern Moscow does not inspire much reverence in me, and the best association is the "Olympiyskiy" complex rising there: some hyperbolized mass that seems to have swallowed the site whole. Nearby stand a colossal mosque, the Army Museum, and a complete lack of spatial logic — as if objects that never quite fit into VDNKh were moved into these courtyards, an architectural vinaigrette with a Luzhkov-era aftertaste.
Closer to the Yauza in the northeast, the story is similar, only the facades are older and the atmosphere has a more honest St. Petersburg vibe. You drive through this environment and suddenly see the beautiful Gothic portal of Elektrozavod — a rare sight on Moscow’s streets and therefore one that stays in memory.
A recent article on Archi.ru said the building is planned for demolition, and the architectural community has started speaking out in its defense.
I’ll add my own view: industrial buildings of that era have enormous structural strength reserves. I wasn’t there with a candle, but it seems to me that nobody simply wants to deal with the renovation — in this case, Etalon.
If preserving the former cultural heritage really feels too complicated, there is another compromise. A good example would be the well-known projects near Zaryadye and Bolotnaya: partial preservation of the facade outline and complete demolition of the interior. That way, you keep both the history you can touch and the visual image of the key facade, and ultimately the historical identity. There is only one problem: you would need to add the extra complexity of linking the historical contour with contemporary architecture — but, forgive me, you are not demolishing a five-story panel block here.
@gorkjournal · GORK
3D · Photo · Render · AI