Location: Moscow, Russia.

Architect: UNK project.

The architects of a new building in Moscow have created a design that dissolves in space, reflecting their search for the meaning of architecture as an art form. The building’s shape is based on dematerialization, with a lens shape creating an ephemeral plane that displays an image of the famous Russian scientist Vladimir Vernadskiy. The building is located in the academic district of Moscow and becomes a high-rise dominant, but does not suppress the surrounding area. Instead, it creates a new identity that goes along with its time and starts a dialogue with neighboring buildings. The building has a 4-story high rectangular stylobate that serves as a base for a 14-story lens, forming the street scale of the perception of the building. The high ground floor is connected with the city space and will host stores, coffee-shops, and entry points of all functional areas. Vertical aluminum lamellae add lightness to the high-rise volume and fragmentary move onto the stylobate, visually connecting parts of the building. The portrait of the great scientist shows up on the facade as a result of the difference in the lamellae cuts, and can be easily seen by drivers and pedestrians from the opposite side of the avenue. The landscaping of the pedestrian side of the street along the main facade is also using the image of Vladimir Vernadskiy, his glasses in particular, that become an art-object and an element of the identity of this space, connected with the building itself. The building’s design reflects the architects’ search for the meaning of architecture as an art form and their desire to create a building that is in harmony with its surroundings while also reflecting the ideas of its time.

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