ARCH Moscow: From Rock Bottom to the "Ideal" Part 2
Photo:GORK Event:ARCH Moscow Location: Gostiny Dvor, 4 Ilyinka Street
Continuing our review of ARCH Moscow, we move from a general overview to several individual stands that caught our attention.
This year introduced a dark tunnel running through the premium residential zone, connecting all galleries into a single route. In previous years, ARCH Moscow often lacked a sense of spatial unity: strong stands existed independently, without any overarching direction or shared visual language. This time, that changed. Once you enter one of the zones, the route gently but persistently guides you through every gallery.
One stand that particularly stood out was the intimate Dagestan-themed installation by the Godekan bureau. Special thanks to Alik Guseynov, who brought back memories of many trips to this remarkable region and its local memes. We discussed the idea that Makhachkala is an island of architectural anarchy. Alik sees this as a positive thing: chaos creates room for creativity.
If I were in charge, I would award a bonus to the Derevo Park team. Their ability to spot and engage people in a crowd is remarkable—and they managed to do it twice: first at the exhibition and then unexpectedly on Nikolskaya Street. Impressive work!
My favorite restoration specialists were also present in the workshop area. At the stand shown in the main photo, they created a fully functional restoration workshop complete with tools and fragments of plaster from a church currently undergoing restoration. While we’re on the subject, I’d love to visit them someday. Unfortunately, I forgot to get their contacts.
The main takeaway from ARCH Moscow 2026 is simple: the architectural community feels confident enough to invest not only in projects themselves but also in how those projects are presented. The trend is positive, and the exhibition continues to grow alongside the market. We sincerely believe the best edition of ARCH Moscow is still ahead.