Architectural Bureau "Ostozhenka". 25 Years

The exhibition called “Architectural Bureau Ostozhenka. 25 Years” in Schusev State Museum of Architecture might not be what one would expect. The whole exhibition fits in a small basement room all covered with printed square photos, which show the history of bureau and video journals.

                                                     A.Skokan, D. Gusev, U. Palasmaa, A. Devidson, 1991

These photographs present the ‘life’ of the bureau as well as the projects done by the architects working there. This exhibition might not be impressive; however it shows the background and sparks up interest in people to learn more about “Ostozhenka” and their work.

                                                                              Ostozhenka Street, 1989

                 

Six employees from the Research and Design center from MARCHI University created this bureau in 1989. They named the bureau Ostozhenka because their first project was restoration of Metrostroevskaya street, or Ostozhenka (as is was called before the Revolution). The ‘motto’ of this bureau is “architectural relevance” as the head of the bureau A. Skokan says himself.

In 25 year “Ostozhenka” designed and constructed 60 buildings in Moscow and the most famous example is Russian International Bank on Prechitenka Street, which received National and many other architectural awards.

Also another one of their office buildings also won a special prize at ‘Best Building Award’ for its visual lightness and the way that it fits in the city environment. This building is now occupied by UniCredit Bank (Butikovskiy Pereulok).

Although there are some more successful bureaus in Moscow, nevertheless ‘Ostozhenka” is promising and their improvement and changes can be clearly seen in the exhibition.

Project Simburg

Tretyakovskaya Gallery facade concept

Housing and office buildings on Prechistenka Street