- tel: +7 (495) 933-78-78
- fax: +7 (495) 933-78-77
- e-mail: info@welt.ru
- address: bld.1, h.20 Sadovnicheskaya st., Moscow, Russia, 115035
- our branches
|
|
On January 25 the competition between two projects of the Apraksin Yard reconstruction will be summed up. Two companies – the Glavstroy-SPb in the person of Chris Wilkinson and the Renaissance Apraksin Yard presented by Norman Foster – dispute the right to renovate the historical monument in the center of Saint Petersburg. Both rival projects have their favorable and weak aspects.
For example, the plan of Chris Wilkinson embodies erection of a glass roof in the form of a cloud over the complex that discontented experts. Architects agreed that such a construction above the historical buildings would destroy integrity of the important architectural monument – the embankment of the Fontanka River. The new bridge over the river opposite the Lenizdat building, which is also mentioned in the project, will be discordant to the surrounding constructions, including the Tovstonogov Grand Drama Theater building and works of brilliant architects Rossi and Quarenghi. However representatives of the Glavstroy-SPb announced that in case of their victory in the competition they are ready to refuse the controversial decisions and to modify the project in order to preserve the historical appearance of the Fontanka embankment.
In the conception of Chris Wilkinson the renovated Apraksin Yard will contain shops, offices, dwelling houses, hotels, and in the middle of the former market territory there will be a open-air court intended for leisure and meetings of citizens. The author will try to keep as many ancient buildings as possible, especially along the perimeter of Apraksin Yard. Underground space is also to be developed. Parking area will appear there.
The project of Norman Foster is even more audacious. It comprises three underground floors connected with the Gostiny Dvor and Sennaya Ploshad metro stations by means of tunnels. At the same time Norman Foster will keep up to 99% of the complex intact.
|
Cosmos
President
