BUSINESS-CENTRE "NEVSKY, 38"

BUSINESS-CENTRE "NEVSKY, 38"

Russia, St. Petersburg, 38 Nevskij pr.
Design: 1995; 2000-2001
Realization: 2001-2004
Client: OAO "PSB"

Authors of the project:

Architects: N. I. Yaveyn (team leader), V. M. Antipin, V. L. Kulachenkov, P. S. Sokolov
with the participation of: P. M. Berezin, V. A. Zenkevich, M. N. Zamelova, L. I. Kutuzova, V. I. Parfyonov, N. M. Pobedinskaya, J. V. Razumova, T. Yu. Sologub, V. V. Khmelyova

Structural designers: O. A. Kurbatov, B. A. Mironkov (ООО "Silko")

Restoration project: G. V. Mikhailov, A. G. Mikhailov, O. A. Brunina (Mikhailov Architectural Studio)

The renovation of a protected building with nearly 300 years of history, which has had more than 10 reconstructions and been seriously damaged by a fire in 1994. This could be compared with the work of a surgeon battling to save the life of an especially important patient. First, work of lower value was removed, as if by pincers. Then, all the most significant parts were restored, the parts which make up the soul of this building: arched rooms from the 18th century, classical facades of the early 19th century (architect K. Rossi), cast-iron colonnade made in 1881 (arch. G. Prang), the operations hall of the former Volzhsko-Kamskij Bank in the style of late French classicism (1898, arch. L. Benois).

Finally, the narrow space of the internal courtyard, the only part where new construction could be possible, was reconstructed as a covered atrium, closely surrounded by office blocks. The image of Rome’s multilevel aqueduct system is the key symbol, which allowed the design to convert all the difficulties and insufficiencies of this tall and narrow space, like a canyon, into aesthetic advantages. The stone arches of the aqueduct, as a main visual element, are added by a metallic web of bridges and small walkways, reaching over the gaping emptiness. Both functionally and visually – there are a series of "archaeological layers" in the building, which are situated on different levels.

The symbolic center of the composition is the reconstructed "tower" of the historic safe deposit box with its shiny reliable locks on the Krupp’s door, and the narrow drawbridge which leads to it. This view will attract your attention, and make you wonder where you are: in a Piranesi engraving or in the virtual space of a computer gangster game.

Data
Total area: 14 500 sq. m

Footprint:

Before reconstruction – 2 802,3 sq. m
After reconstruction – 3 150,0 sq. m
Usable area – 12 080 sq. m

Estimated area – 9 884 sq. m, out of there:

office – 6 660 sq. m
retail – 3 224 sq. m
Structural volume – 76 000 cub. m

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