140 Applications Submitted for Moscow Architectural Prize-2021
The number of projects submitted for the Moscow Architectural Prize (the Moscow City Prize in the field of architecture and urban planning) has grown by 32% compared to last year, and the range of submitted works has also increased. According to Chief Architect of Moscow, Chairman of the jury of the award Sergey Kuznetsov, among them there are not only large buildings of the city and federal level, but also local objects of regional significance.
This year, against the background of such large-scale projects as, for example, the Multifunctional Complex of Buildings of the National Space Center on Filevsky Boulevard, a fourth part of the applications fall upon social infrastructure projects. These are not only kindergartens, schools and hospitals, but also sports centers for professionals and amateurs, as well as houses of culture, which, after opening, should become full-fledged points of attraction for residents of the districts. Another 14% of applications are for renovation projects located in 13 districts of Moscow, including Golovinsky, Lefortovo, Donskoy, Butyrsky, and others.
A significant share of applications falls on the Moscow metro stations and, for the first time, bridge projects are submitted for the award. According to experts, this area of architectural design is in demand all over the world and has a great future in Moscow.
“We are used to evaluating large status projects and they really mean a lot for the capital and its image. But the face of the city is also formed by local projects, regional metro stations and the MCC, and small forms. We are moving away from the monocentric model of the city and are working to ensure that the areas that are usually called bedroom districts are decorated with high-quality interesting architecture, overgrown with their own monuments and points of attraction. There are no minor projects, and I am glad that year after year we see not only an increase in the number of applications for the awards, but also a diversification of projects, as well as an improvement in their quality” - said Sergey Kuznetsov.
According to Elizaveta Likhacheva, director of the A.V. Shchusev Museum of Architecture, a member of the award jury, the Moscow Architectural Prize is extremely important for the processes that shape the architectural environment of Moscow, and hence Russia, since Moscow is one of the drivers of the development of contemporary Russian architecture. “In addition to the fact that the widest circle of experts is involved in the project, the award does not have an age qualification, which means that an architect of any age can take part in it. This is a great support for young professionals. The Moscow City Prize is one of the most significant factors influencing the appearance of Russian architecture as a whole” - said Elizaveta Likhacheva.
Any capital construction project that has received a certificate of approved architectural and urban planning decisions in 2020 can be submitted for the award
Winners are selected in two stages. In March, the list of nominees for the Moscow Architectural Prize-2021 will be announced, and the announcement of the winners will traditionally be timed to the Architects Day. Laureates will receive up to 5 prizes in the amount of 1 million rubles each.
Moscow Architectural Prize was established in 2017 with the support of Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin. The award is presented for the development of the most expressive, original, high-quality architectural and urban solutions of capital construction projects, the implementation of which meets the challenges of creating a comfortable urban environment and contributes to the future development of the construction industry in Moscow. Until 2017, Moskomarkhitektura celebrated the best projects of the year within the framework of the Prize of Archcouncil of Moscow for five years.
