Snos!

The University of Children's World at the Lubyanskaya Square in Moscow is recognized as an architectural monument. The professor of the Moscow Architectural Institute Natalya Dushkin told this in an interview with Granam.ru. The new status of the building, erected by her grandfather, Alexei Dushkin, can seriously affect the reconstruction plans of the "children's world". Moreover, for the "reconstruction", launched by the current owners of historical construction, experts suspect demolition and complete alteration. There are a lot of destruction carried out according to this scheme in the capital's practice.

Hard plans

The projects of the alteration of the building began to appear in the 1980s: the department store reproaches, including in ineffective use of space. These works have been conducted especially intensively since the mid-1990s, when a new owner appeared near the building. In fact, they became businessman Vladimir Yevtushenkov. He is the owner of more than 75% of AFK Systems. And this company, in turn, belongs to more than 70% of the shares of OJSC "Children's World".

According to Natalia Dushkina, a professional in the field of the protection of architectural heritage, almost all reconstruction projects were extremely gestured in relation to the building. And they did not take into account the architectural value of the construction.

Such a professor also attributes the last project, which is developed by one of the subsidiaries of the System. Details have not been disclosed, however, the general concept can be found on the website of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. The Bank of the Bank on November 30 last year approved this project and gave the go -ahead for a loan of $ 50 million for AFC. Another 40 million, the Russian company will borrow from a certain syndicate of commercial banks. And in total reconstruction costs will amount to 157 million.

Demolition practice

As promised, as a result of the "children's world" will turn into a department store for the middle class. Prices for goods will fall along with the cost of rent: the retail space should increase more than half - from the current 16.2 thousand square meters. m. up to 39 thousand square meters. m. In addition, the authors of the project say that now the building is generally in a deplorable state, since half a century did without overhaul.

Even these stingy details are disturbed by Natalia Dushkin. “Firstly,” she said to the “facets,” the word “redelopment” is used in the description of the project. In professional architectural and urban planning practice, this word is used only in case of complete redevelopment, alteration. And, knowing the architectural practice of recent years in Moscow, I can say that we are talking about demolition. ”

And secondly, Mrs. Dushkin does not believe that the building is a dilapidated structure. “To imagine that in the 1950s large objects that are under the control of the government of the country will be built poorly, from short -lived materials and with a small margin of strength,” she says. According to her, the buildings of the Moscow and Voentorga hotel and Voentorg, demolished due to their supposedly emergency state, were also in good condition. “It's no secret,” explains Natalya Dushkina, “that any documents can be prepared that justify the need to destroy any construction.”

Children in Lubyanka

So that the "children's world" does not repeat the fate of many well -known historical Moscow buildings, at the end of 2004, 11 appeals were sent to the Main Directorate for the Protection of Monuments. Large professional and public organizations, as well as the family of Alexei Dushkin - all spoke out about the need to recognize the building of the department store as a protected monument. The applicants paid special attention to officials to several points.

Firstly, the building of the "Children's World" occupies a key place in the history of Soviet architecture-as a transition from retrospective Stalinist architecture to Khrushchev’s typical construction. In addition, such a giant department store is a unique structure for all post -war Europe.

Secondly, this construction had an important social subtext. The decision of the Council of Ministers on the construction of the "children's world" on Lubyanka was adopted at the end of 1953, exactly three years before the XX Congress. “This was one of the first signs of the thaw,” says Natalya Dushkina. “The bright symbol of childhood was no coincidence built next to a very serious institution.”

Thirdly, the construction plays an important role in the urban planning organization of the Moscow Center. “Thanks to its powerful arched rhythm, the building is dominated by the new square and theatrical passage,” Natalya Dushkin says with the confidence of the experienced lecturer.

And he adds that the "children's world" was built according to the project of her grandfather, one of the largest architects of the Stalin's time. (He, for example, designed in Moscow the metro station "Kropotkinskaya", "Mayakovskaya", "Avtozavodskaya", "Novoslobodskaya", a high -rise house at the Red Gate). More recently, in the capital, the centenary of the birth of Alexei Dushkin was violently celebrated.

These and other arguments sounded convincing. And at a meeting on January 19, the metropolitan GOOP recognized the "Children's World" "by the identified object of cultural heritage as a monument." A special group is now working, which will accurately determine what is subject to state protection in this building. As Natalya Dushkina promises (she also entered this group), the result of the examination will be ready in February.

Do it gently

The decision of the Guopa, which the public has not yet been reported, will affect the plans of the owners of the building in any case. Now all reconstruction work should be carried out taking into account the new construction status. In any case, there can no longer be any question of demolition, or redeelopment (as you do not call it).

“In relation to buildings of this class,” says Natalya Dushkina, “mild reconstruction projects that have a restoration orientation are possible.” It deciphens: builders will have to preserve not only the true material structure of the structure, but also the pattern of its facades, the texture and color of the surface of the building. We will have to take care of the interiors, especially for the central space - a large two -color hall ... and so on. We'll have to - if you force act according to the law.

So far, Moscow architecture does not really save its status. After all, if it is not possible to recognize the building with emergency, it can always be done. And the fire in the arena is only the most scandalous of the hints of this.