OMA Gives Moscow Building a Second Chance

An abandoned 1960s former restaurant building in Moscow has been confirmed as the recipient of an architectural makeover from renowned Dutch practice OMA. The building will be transformed into a flexible exhibition and gallery space for the existing Garage Center for Contemporary Culture.
Designed in collaboration with Russian design studio Form Bureau, OMA plans to turn the 5,400 sq m building into an extensive cultural arts centre, conceived to raise the international profile of Russian art. In addition to two levels of exhibition and gallery space, there will also be an auditorium, children’s creative centre, retail space, café and office area.
The prefabricated concrete structure, due to open in late 2012, will incorporate a variety of architectural references to its Soviet-era heritage, including decorative tiles, exposed brickwork and mosaics.
This is only the first phase of the Garage’s new openings. The second phase, due for completion in 2013, will see the cultural centre commandeer a historic 8,599 sq m 1920s hexagonal pavilion.
Both buildings are set within the 1920s Gorky Park, which is also undergoing extensive redevelopment.
See Stylus' report OMA/ Progress, Inside The Architectural Powerhouse and AMO on Prada for a deeper exploration of OMA's architectural work