GES 2

The 20,000 m² building is structured around four key areas. The Civic Pole includes public spaces connected to the outdoor piazza, seamlessly blending with street life. At its core, the Indoor Piazza serves as the main entrance, linking to the Library and Media Hub to the north and an art installation space and restaurant to the south.

The Welcoming Pole, accessible from the Indoor Piazza, houses ticketing, orientation, and a shop on the ground floor. Above, a performance area overlooks the Forest, while an auditorium provides a dedicated venue for cultural events. The Exhibition Pole features diverse gallery spaces, adaptable for various art forms. The Education Pole supports creative learning, with the School of Art for future curators, critics, and historians, alongside Lifelong Learning spaces for workshops and public programs. Artists’ residences and workshops in the North Tower further enrich the center’s educational mission.

The project restores the site's four brick chimneys, transforming them into sustainable steel structures. These chimneys, once sources of pollution, now draw in clean air from 70 meters above ground, supporting natural ventilation and reducing energy use.

Nature plays a crucial role in the project. Inside the museum, a Forest of birch trees brings an organic element to the space, while the west side features a sculpture garden transitioning into a tree-filled landscape.

Two key concepts guide the design. First, intuitive navigation ensures visitors can easily explore the center without needing a map. The Welcoming Area provides immediate visual cues, allowing guests to understand the space at a glance. Second, the Circulation Web—a seamless network of stairs, lifts, corridors, and platforms—connects all areas, creating a sculptural flow of movement. This network also highlights the main entrances from Bolotnaya Nab and the pedestrian bridge, ensuring accessibility and cohesion throughout the site.