Birch Forest to be Planted within GES-2 Improvement Project

A large-scale improvement program is taking place on the territory adjacent to the culture-significant object GES-2. In particular, a birch forest is going to be planted in the very heart of the city.

The government of Moscow has agreed to make changes to the draft layout of the territory adjacent to GES-2 complex (Bolotnaya Embankment estate 15, buildings 1, 2, 4, buildings 6, 7, 8 in Bersenevskaya Embankment estate 16 building 5, 5/1), and land use and development rules. The corresponding decree was signed by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin.

According to the project documents, it is planned to expand the pedestrian zone towards the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. This will create a comfortable walking area for Muscovites and visitors to the capital. “The project on improvement of GES-2 territory will involve creating green spaces.  In particular, it is planned to plant a birch forest in the very heart of the city”- said Yuliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of Moskomarkhitektura.

Let us recollect that the historic power station GES-2 on Bolotnaya Square in Moscow will be preserved, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the V-A-C Foundation will be located in its halls. The project has been developed by a well-known international bureau Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The general designer is APEX project bureau.

“The project is unique since it is completely made by a private investor, and famous foreign architects are designing it. This is an excellent example of international cultural dialogue. The concept of the museum was discussed at a meeting of the Architectural Council of Moscow, as well as the Scientific and Methodological Council of the Department of Cultural Heritage and was approved in principle” - said Chief Architect of Moscow, Sergey Kuznetsov.

“I must remark that the reconstruction of GES-2 is supervised directly by the authors of the project. Thanks to BIM-modeling, it is possible to coordinate all stages in real time and pay attention to every detail. This project is a great example of international cultural dialogue. The birch forest next to the museum will harmoniously fit into the environment and will separate this zone from the neighboring buildings. We are going to plant about 600 trees” – Kuznetsov explained.