heneghan peng shortlisted for new NCCA building in moscow

heneghan peng shortlisted for new NCCA building in moscow
image by luxigon
all images courtesy of the new national center for contemporary arts (NCCA)

UPDATE december 23, 2013: it has been announced that irish office heneghan peng architects has been selected to complete the new national centre for contemporary arts (NCCA) in moscow, russia. for further information about the chosen project, and for additional images, see below.

heneghan peng has been shortlisted to develop a new museum and exhibition complex for the ‘national center for contemporary arts’ (NCCA) in moscow, russia. the irish practice is among three selected teams, including spanish office nieto sobejano arquitectos, and local firm MEL architecture, that were chosen ahead of other established names, such as steven holl and alejandro aravena’s elemental.

the proposed building will become a national institution, housing the center’s own contemporary pieces alongside private collections and works from other galleries. the complex will host large scale events, lectures, conferences and workshops, while the diverse program also includes performance spaces, an e-library, an arts school and on-site artists’ studios.

the brief requires that the building unites a range of local, national and international visitors, encouraging creative thinking and furthering knowledge of contemporary design.

the three shortlisted designed are documented below.

heneghan peng architects:

heneghan peng’s scheme involves retaining the site’s runways, which form designated areas of activity

heneghan peng’s vertical proposal rises above a landscaped park as a series of stacked volumes. the scheme utilizes small and accessible floor areas, allowing guests to view a specific gallery or alternatively browse the entirety of the collection.

an escalator leads from the entrance foyer to the exhibition halls, traveling through the museum’s storage facilities and giving guests a glimpse of past displays. interior spaces have been designed to be as flexible and as accommodating as possible, providing neutral backdrops which allow the artworks to take precedence.

the adjacent park retains the site’s runways as defined areas of activity, occupied by ice rinks, flower gardens and skateparks.

an escalator leads from the entrance foyer to the exhibition halls, traveling through the museum’s storage facilities
image by luxigon

galleries are spatially and environmentally optimized for both temporary and permanent exhibitions

the selected proposal illuminated at night
image by luxigon

nieto sobejano arquitectos:

nieto sobejano’s non-hierarchical design comprises a series of interconnected silos

the proposal from nieto sobejano arquitectos embraces the character and diversity of russian culture, specifically referencing the region’s industrial structures. the project forms a compact cultural hub hosting a range of public events, bringing life and character to a developing area of moscow.

the non-hierarchical project comprises a series of interconnected silos, four of which are dedicated to permanent collections. a foyer connects the scheme’s programs, while an elevated internal street reaches through the core of the design, establishing an area of congregation for artists, visitors and researchers.

the largest volume, adjacent to the primary entrance, houses the main auditorium. this space is conceived as a ‘black box’ providing a dynamic setting for performances and multi-media displays.

an elevated internal street reaches through the spine of the museum

internal exhibition halls have been designed to be as flexible as possible

MEL architecture:

MEL have developed a series of individual galleries forming an elevated park

russian practice MEL have developed a flexible and integrated design which features a distinct series of exhibition halls, connected with fluid public spaces.

the scheme retains a human scale throughout, with the museum’s individual galleries forming an elevated park, termed ‘the hill’. these hilltop pavilions are clad in stone tiles and appear as cliff faces, becoming part of the natural landscape. connecting the units externally, the public recreation area can host outdoor workshops, film screenings and seminars.

the ground floor of the design is one expansive volume which connects the program internally, providing access to the rooftop exhibition areas.

an aerial view of the scheme