ARCH Moscow: From Rock Bottom to the "Ideal" Part 1
Photo:GORK Event:ARCH Moscow Location: Gostiny Dvor, 4 Ilyinka Street
Our usual "Projects of the Week" digest did not come out this Sunday because the main project of the week was obvious: ARCH Moscow 2026. This year’s theme is "The Ideal," curated by Timur Bashkaev.
Since the COVID years, we have observed a clear trend: the exhibition hit a symbolic low point and has gradually gained momentum every year since. This year’s ARCH Moscow impressed with the richness of its displays, both literally and figuratively. It was evident not only visually but also in conversations among visitors.
For us, ARCH Moscow may not be a precise barometer of the market, but it is certainly a visible indicator of what is happening within it. It was clear that participants invested significant effort and resources. As our editor Alexey put it, one hopes these investments were not a final desperate cry for survival. That was not the impression this year—the market seems to be feeling positive again.
Credit should be given to the organizers. The exhibition layout demonstrated a coherent structure in terms of navigation, logic, concepts, and presentation. The gallery featuring leading architectural firms was a pleasant surprise. It looked impressive, and it was especially rewarding to realize how many of the showcased projects had previously appeared in front of my camera lens.
More than 200 participants and just as many events took part in the exhibition. Attendance was high. A few years ago, one speaker jokingly asked where all these idle people came from and why they were not working. This year, I would say: let them explore—at the very least, it is beautiful.
Unfortunately, due to a busy schedule, I missed the entire business program, so don’t expect any lecture summaries from me. However, I captured plenty of content, which is why this review has been divided into two parts.
In the second part, I will highlight several exhibitions and displays that left a lasting impression.