“How to restore the monument. An AUIPIK Strategy.” A new exhibition of AUIPIK (Agency on Management and Use of Historical and Cultural Artefacts). This exhibition continues a large-scale project of researching and designating strategies to restore and conserve unique cultural objects.
The exhibition presents 5 AUIPIK projects - five architectural landmarks in the process of restoration and those already restored.
Moscow Chambers of 17-19th centuries in Arkhangelsky Pereulok - a model of restoration and adaptation. The works completed by the Agency allowed to reveal and demonstrate two different stages of construction of the building: the “Fancy Patterns” style of the 17th century and the historical style of the second half of the 19th century. In addition to high-quality restoration, the building was adapted to present-day use: now it serves as the headquarters of the Russian Society of Military History.
Brewing Malt Building and Pechenko Chambers in Pskov ‑ recognized masterpieces of Pskov civilianarchitecture of the 17th century - have long caused caused alarm due to their dilapidated condition. In the early 20th century the building was acquired by Pskov Archaeological Society, which intended to set up the Pskov Historical Museum in the building. The strategic project of AUIPIK is used to implement this idea, intending to create the Museum of Pskov Architecture as a branch of the Schusev Museum of Architecture.
The Imperial Stables of 1848-1855, designed by architect N.L. Benois, the famous monument of the historism epoch, built in the Neo-Gothic style, occupy an entire block near the Alexandria Palace and Park Ensemble in Peterhof. In the Soviet times, the stables were turned into a sanatorium. After the sanatorium went bankrupt, the landmark remained in a very dilapidated state. According to the AUIPIK strategy, after a comprehensive research and restoration project, the building will be turned into an equestrian sport center.
Gostiny Dvor Complex, built in the early 19th century in Volsk, Saratov Region is a representative example of the Russian Empire style. Built initially as a trade house and inn (Gostiny Dvor), the building was later used as an office, a regional school, a high school and a hospital. In the 1990s the restoration project changed the architectural look of the building. Today the Gostiny Dvor building in Volsk, restored in accordance with the AUIPIK project, once again serves its original purpose. It is once again a hotel with a restaurant.
House for Young People and New Families in Ekaterinburg is the landmark of Soviet constructivism period - the dominant element of NKVD Residential Combine, the so-called Cheka Town. The 11-storied semi-cylindrical building was built in accordance with the project of a group of architects led by I.P. Antonov in the late 1920s - early 1930s. For a long time it was a home for the Iset Hotel. The building has stood vacant for several years. Now as it awaits restoration, it hosts various exhibition projects, such as the Third Urals Industrial Biennial Exhibition of Modern Art.
The exposition tells the unique story of each of the five selected objects, studied and reconstructed by Museum and Agency staff. The detailed story is based on archive materials, measurements, technical drawings, photos, pieces of decorative and applied arts. The exhibition not only demonstrates some of the Agency’s activities but the methods used in its work as well: research, restoration and adaptation projects. The properly selected way of using these unique monuments today helps conserve the monuments and breathe a new life into them.
On September 30 - November 4 the exhibition will be held in Aptekarsky Prikaz building of the Museum of Architecture in Moscow. On November 15, the exhibition will open as a part of the Cultural Forum in Peter-and-Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg.
The exhibition will become a part of the Cultural Heritage Preservation section, headed by AUIPIK Agency head Oleg Ryzhkov. For more information on the Forum events, please visit the “Cultural Program” section of the website.