modern architecture
AQUAMARINE
Business Center:
what is the message of neo-architecture?
what is the message of neo-architecture?
About the building
Authors of the project
Sergey Choban, Sergey Kuznetsov
Architectural style
Art Nouveau
Main dates
Designed in 2005-2010, commissioned in 2010-2012
Address
Moscow, Ozerkovskaya Naberezhnaya, 24
Participant of the exhibition "Moscow. The Real" of A.V. Shchusev State Museum of Architecture as a landmark building of the capital built over the past 10 years
Sergey Choban, Sergey Kuznetsov
Architectural style
Art Nouveau
Main dates
Designed in 2005-2010, commissioned in 2010-2012
Address
Moscow, Ozerkovskaya Naberezhnaya, 24
Participant of the exhibition "Moscow. The Real" of A.V. Shchusev State Museum of Architecture as a landmark building of the capital built over the past 10 years
AQUAMARINE business center is the dominant location of Ozerskovskaya Embankment in the center of Moscow. Fans of social media consider the building and the small block it forms one
of the most successful places for photos. The architectural firm describes its creation as
"an interesting modern monument" among the building complexes on the embankment. At the same time, the building also faces extensive criticism because of its popular but not useful orientation and the inappropriateness of its architectural solutions.
of the most successful places for photos. The architectural firm describes its creation as
"an interesting modern monument" among the building complexes on the embankment. At the same time, the building also faces extensive criticism because of its popular but not useful orientation and the inappropriateness of its architectural solutions.
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"Successful shots can also be made on the territory of the HPS — this is the most spectacular building for playing with geometry and stylish images! The Aquamarine business center is also suitable — such a piece of Europe in the center of Moscow.
For influencers and fashion photographers, this is the perfect place".
For influencers and fashion photographers, this is the perfect place".
Unfortunately, "instagrammaticy" does not define the functionality of a modern building. First of all, it should fit perfectly into the overall ensemble, and secondly,
it should be comfortable and meet modern challenges.
In order to understand the usefulness of this building, the architectural features, we decided to contact the architect of the project, as well as another architect to get the most complete picture of the building. Unfortunately, we were unable to talk to the architect because the building is old by the standards of the architectural bureau, and Sergey Choban and Sergey Kuznetsov no longer work at SPEECH. Nevertheless, there was information about the project on the organization's website.
SPEECH BURO: "The composition of the facades, inspired by the traditions of Konstantin Melnikov's architecture and Ivan Fomin's so-called "red dorica," the clear rhythm of the facade elements, and the clean, laconic color scheme give the whole complex the character of a complete architectural ensemble. The interaction with the environment, the dynamism of the three-dimensional solution and the attention to large-scale public space make the ensemble on the Ozerkovskaya Naberezhnaya one of the most interesting modern examples of such important typologies for Moscow - the complex of buildings on the embankment". |
The most complete picture about this building gave the candidate of art history, assistant professor of the Department of Architecture of Public Buildings of the Moscow Architectural Institute Dmitry Karelin. He stressed that commercial real estate in Russia is designed and built taking into account global trends in modern infrastructure.
"From the point of view of the architectural landscape among the various buildings on Ozerkovskaya embankment the building of the business center looks out of place. In itself it is very stylish. It is higher than the average height of buildings on the embankment in terms of the environmental approach. From the point of view of people, who are for the preservation of monuments of architecture, it is not quite good, because they took and inserted a much larger box, which took and broke everything".
Dmitry Karelin
candidate of art history, assistant professor of the Department of Architecture of Public Buildings of the Moscow Architectural Institute
The building of the AQUAMARINE business center really stands out against other buildings along the river.
At the same time, the building is excellent architecturally, but unfortunately gives less coziness compared to the older buildings. The exterior is primarily influenced by the trends of the times. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, eclecticism, Byzantine style, and Art Nouveau were popular; then came the avant-gardists, who advocated as simple forms as possible. After a while the eye again gets tired of the previous period and changes to something new, simpler or more complex. Modern trends tell us that people like complex architecture that combines many different themes that come together in harmony. In a historic city, be it Moscow or Rome, layers of different times, different scales are especially valued. It creates coziness.
A separate configuration of the first floors of the buildings could recreate the desired coziness. This is often used in modern architecture. So, on the ground floor and first floor level, more expensive materials could be used for finishing, as well as more eye-catching details.
The building is interestingly constructed volumetrically. Inside it creates a kind of courtyard, which is tucked into the road and the embankment. Despite this questionable solution, a flat building would not look so impressive.
At the same time, the landscaping of the courtyard leaves much to be desired. SPEECH claims that you can have a great time there, but unfortunately there are no benches, no urns, no trees inside, and the paving stones are already falling away.
In addition, when we visited this building on a Saturday afternoon, we did not see any commercial corners that would also lure residents.
The building is interestingly constructed volumetrically. Inside it creates a kind of courtyard, which is tucked into the road and the embankment. Despite this questionable solution, a flat building would not look so impressive.
At the same time, the landscaping of the courtyard leaves much to be desired. SPEECH claims that you can have a great time there, but unfortunately there are no benches, no urns, no trees inside, and the paving stones are already falling away.
In addition, when we visited this building on a Saturday afternoon, we did not see any commercial corners that would also lure residents.
"Today, the classic building cannot fully meet today's challenges. Everything around us is getting more expensive, buildings should be as functional as possible, simple and not contain anything superfluous".
Dmitry Karelin
candidate of art history, assistant professor
Sustainability in architecture - thinking through the life cycle of a building from the choice of building materials, so that the building does not harm the environment, to the appearance in "old age". Building classic architecture in modern times is no longer the way to go. Builders are replacing quality natural stone with synthetic counterparts or finishing facades with artificial materials. This affects the stability of the building, increases damage to the environment, as well as marring the appearance over time. The Aquamarine Business Center, as a monolithic building, is likely to start falling apart in 50 years.
The appearance of the building is certainly important, but we must not forget about its functionality. The office is one of the simplest buildings in terms of planning, but it is also quite flexible. When designing, an "elevator core" is made, and then other rooms are etched around it. Offices get their classiness first of all because of their location, and then the specific features are added. For example, the top offices in Moscow are located within the Sadovoe Koltso. These are class A office buildings. A good office - a good entrance and navigation inside. Further down - the simplest rectangular spaces on the floors that are rented out. Old office buildings can meet the criteria of new modern buildings. So, first of all, their prestige is influenced by the exterior appearance and history of the building, who is there and who fills it all.
At the same time, now we can fully enjoy its strangeness, futuristic and amazed by its impressive size, take a couple of great photos, and then continue our walk along the picturesque promenade.
