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Virtually every foreigner coming to Russia is enchanted by Russia's
wooden architecture; not only by the tradional architecture of the North with
its wooden churches and farm houses, but also by the wooden houses that can be
found in the countryside and in provincial towns and cities alike. Most Russians
tend to agree about traditional architecture, but concerning the second category,
one hears a completely different opinon: wooden houses are considered to be of
bad quality, a fire hazard, and lack toilets and baths. They are associated with
poverty and only suitable for dacha life. The prevalent opinion is that in the
city, it is better to get rid of them as soon as possible. And this is what's
happening, although there are cities like Nizhni Novgorod or Vologda with a more
careful approach. Thus these parts of the city are built up with high-rise apartment
blocks clad in the 'traditional' style. Is there an alternative to this process?
To answer this question it is interesting to look at other countries with a tradition
of building in wood. In Canada and parts of the USA, climatically similar to Russia,
the whole construction industry is based on light wooden houses that can be erected
by small building companies in a matter of days after being pre-fabricated in
small local workshop in winter time. The situation could not be more different
in Russia with its large scale construction industry, and changing this is clearly
not easy. Still, Russia is not the only country where traditional wooden architecture
is suffering from its negative image. Some 15 years ago in European countries
like Switzerland and Finland, the authorities understood that their traditional
wood-based construction industry was under threat of disappearing. They started
programs to promote the use of wood in construction. The reasons for this were
not only cultural; ecological and economical arguments played a big role. For
instance: one doesn't need energy for the production of wood, and in using locally
produced wood you reduce transport costs, stimulate the local wood-industry and
reduce the need for imports Their programs included a campaign for the promotion
of building in wood and the addressing of problems connected with building in
wood: financing research on fire safety, sustainability and sound insulation.
Of course it would be too much to expect similar steps from the Russian government.
The authorities are too closely connected to the 'building-industrial complex'
to be interested in such questions. However, let's hope that the publication of
this issue of PROJECT RUSSIA will do its part in promoting the use of wood in
the architecture of Russia.
Bart Goldhoorn, editor-in-chief
CONTENTS
- Bart Goldhoorn Editorial
- Elena Opolovnikova Rhythm and beauty
- SОbastien Cavaroc Why choose wood?
- Vladimir Frolov A Russian Show
from S to XL
- Nikolai Belousov Without the Warm of Human Touch Architecture is Incomplete
- Project OBLO Anton Tabakov's House
- Project OBLO The Guest House at Anton Tabakov's Country Home
- Project OBLO Banyas in Private Residences in Suburban Moscow
- Abram Khot'kov Semicircle of colonisation in the Moscow Suburbs
- Architecture studio X.Y.Z. Sports Complex 'Lisya nora'
- Eugene Asse Model of Happiness is Different Now
- a_0 VILLANDSCAPE
- asse architects The Cottage in the Forest
- Aleksandr Brodsky The House in the Forest
- Aleksandr Brodsky The Beach CafО
- Totan Kuzembaev The Yacht-Office
- Totan Kuzembaev and Aleksandr Brodsky The Building up of the Zavidkin Cape
- Totan Kuzembaev 'Kot Dazur' Restaurant and a complex of guest houses
- Alexei Muratov In defence of wood
- Architectural-project bureau ELLISE The school in Troparevo-Nikulino 72
YAROSLAVL
- Guide to Soviet architecture
МONITOR
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