Sergey Kuznetsov Spoke about the Restoration of INION RAN

The reconstruction of the INION RAN complex on Nakhimovsky Prospekt is planned to be completed strictly within the deadline - by the end of 2021. Now the finishing of the facades has been fully completed, the installation of engineering systems is in progress and the construction of the summer amphitheater in front of the building is almost finished. This was told by Chief Architect of Moscow, First Deputy Chairman of Moskomarkhitektura Sergey Kuznetsov.

The new site will be built in lieu of the former fountain. The project uses pixel paving: areas with lawns and flower beds alternate with the covering of the pedestrian zone. This solution shows how nature and urban environment can be combined.

“For more than 40 years of operation, the water bowl has completely decayed. The multi-level parterre, which used to be part of the fountain, is being transformed into a summer amphitheater. The paving is almost completed, the lanterns are installed. The landscaping will be fully completed by the end of this year. In addition, pedestrian paths have already been laid in a small grove that adjoins the building, so it will be a single public space for walking and relaxing, with flower beds, shrubs and trees,” said Sergey Kuznetsov.  

The library building itself was restored in accordance with the project of the Soviet architect Yakov Belopolsky, however, taking into account modern regulations and design standards. The concept was developed by the team of OOO Giprocom on the basis of sketches and archival photographs. The general contractor is OOO VELES-STROY.

“The external appearance, elevations, dimensions of the building - everything is completely preserved. But construction technologies have made great strides forward. For example, this includes different finishing materials, as the old ones would simply not comply with the fire safety standards. The old building frame was replaced with monolithic reinforced concrete. The facades were faced with gray natural stone, which looks harmonious against the background of the neighboring building of Sechenov University. Instead of single glazing, double-glazed windows were installed, now they are installing modern engineering systems that will significantly increase the energy efficiency of the building,” Sergey Kuznetsov explained. 

A distinctive feature of the building of INION RAN was the light lamps on the roof, they are preserved in the project. If earlier they were had a plastic cover, now durable glass is installed. Also, on the central facade there appeared a new name of the institution, made of brass.  

The internal layouts have undergone changes: the storage area for books has significantly increased, in addition, a new storage facility has been made in the underground part. Much attention has been paid to the storage system itself, which has become much more convenient and secure. The area of the congress center has also been increased, recreation areas and cafés have been added.

The building of the INION RAN library is an example of Soviet modernism. It was built in the mid-1970s according to the project of architects Yakov Belopolsky, Efim Vulykh and Lev Misozhnikov. As a result of a fire in 2015, most of the building was lost. Structures collapsed, and then they were dismantled to save the surviving books.