TATLIN NEWS #62-2

it possible to go a step further and understand the world as a whole? The individual proposals in this category ranged from designing a physical element that could be experienced throughout Russia, to the development at the provincial level and the experience of Russia as a mega-landscape. This approach also yielded the prize winner, who promised a digital window unto the world. It is interesting that Russian architects are focusing on the tension between the tangible and the manageable on the level of the living environment on the one hand, and cohesion on an almost global scale on the other. The Challenge The second observation that can be made is that many of the proposals departed from housing or the design of the living environment. Architecture has the tendency to mirror developments in society. This tendency is reflected in the patriarchal world view that produced cathedrals and castles, in the monuments of the revolution and humanism by Ledoux and in the fascination for mechanics and speed in the monuments of the international style. More than any other, our era is determined by the desire of people to choose their own housing and living environment. Emerging economies such as Russia are faced with an ever-increasing contingent of empowered ‘housing consumers’. This entails that public housing will be an increasingly central challenge to the architectural practice in the country. It is

interesting to observe that young Russian architects are aware of this development. At present, Russia is a country in which the question of public housing is approached almost entirely from an industrial perspective: how can the maximum amount of living space be created at minimal cost. Social matters are, as of yet, considered irrelevant. If it is up to the new generation of architects, this situation is about to change fast! Role of the architect A global development is taking place in the building process. After the modern and up until about ten years ago, the architect has increasingly become an avant-garde artist. However, in recent years the young generation of architects has become increasingly aware that an architect should have more to offer than design alone. The architect, one could say, is emancipating. The proposals display the desire of the young Russian architects to show that they can exert a positive influence on their environment, beyond mere design. They want to help to organize a better world, and intend to solve complex problems with simple yet effective solutions. This is possibly the most promising signal of the contest. At present, Russian architecture appears to lag behind when it comes to design. This is not surprising, considering the lack of opportunities for architects to show their talent. However, it can be said that the young generation of architects in Russia lead the field when it comes to awareness for changes in society and the opportunities for architects to play a positive role in these changes. This awareness is the most important building block for creating an environment of contemporary architecture! *ReimarvonMeding,architect,KAW architects and advisors, Rotterdam,Netherlands

ня в России к жилищной архитектуре подхо- дят исключительно с индустриальной точки зрения. Главной задачей является построить наибольшее количество жилья с наименьши- ми затратами. Социальные задачи пока счи- таются неуместными. Если новое поколение возьмется за дело, ситуация очень скоро из- менится! Роль архитектора В строительстве происходят глобальные изменения. Вплоть до предыдушего десяти- летия архитекторы все больше приближа- лись к авангардным художникам. Однако в последние годы молодое поколение архи- текторов приходит к выводу, что архитектор должен быть способен предложить нечто большее, чем просто художественное реше- ние. Можно сказать, что архитекторы эманси- пируются. Конкурсные проекты демонстри- руют желание молодых российских архитек- торов повлиять на среду, а не просто создать конкретный проект. Они хотят помочь устро- ить лучший мир и намерены решать ком- плексные задачи с помощью простых, но эф- фективных методов. Это, возможно, самый многообещающий результат конкурса. Сегодня, российская ар- хитектура, очевидно, отстает. Это неудиви- тельно, принимая во внимание то, что у ар- хитекторов практически отсутствует возмож- ность показать свой талант. Однако можно с уверенностью сказать, что молодое поколение архитекторов лидирует по пони- манию социальных изменений и возможности архитекторов поло- жительно повлиять на них. Это по- нимание является наиболее важ- ной базой для создания простран- ства современной архитектуры!

*РеймарфонМединг,архитектор,KAW architects and advi- sors,Роттердам,Нидерланды

104 ТАТLIN news 2|62|93* 2011

пространство современной архитектуры