This year, AAVS Moscow completed its first series of multi-scalar design explorations in the area surrounding Shabolovka, south of Moscow's city centre. AAVS Moscow selected this site as an example of the urban environment in a transitional state. Over the course of this initial three-year series, AAVS Moscow explored the urban challenges and potential of the area through investigating its various scales.

The first workshop focused on designing speculative urban design projects, with participants exploring the potential of the area and proposing scenarios for its development. The second workshop concentrated on a city object that could drive the area’s transformation from within. Exhibitions in local galleries and book publications followed both workshops, which initiated discussions between AAVS Moscow and the general public.

The final workshop of the series was dedicated to the design-and-build process that led to the realisation of the AAVS Moscow Шар (Ball) Pavilion, which now acts as a point-of-interest to draw greater numbers of people to the marketplace area. The Pavilion sits along the axis of the main entrance to the market, in front of Danilovsky Market building – a place of cultural heritage designed by architects Gavriil Akulov and Felix Novikov, built between 1979 and 1986. 

The brief for the AAVS Moscow Шар (Ball) Pavilion was that it had to be light, interactive and adapt to the requirements of different events.  The Pavilion can host up to 30 people, seated inside, but is also a focus for outdoor summer events, including lectures, master classes, dinners and parties. Its giant sphere can even serve as a media screen where movies and illustrations are projected.

The Pavilion has been recognised by Felix Novikov (architect of the Soviet Modernism) as having a positive influence on the marketplace area, both aesthetically and functionally, and there are plans for it to be made a permanent feature.

The series of workshops concluded with a lecture on Recipes for Food and Architecture, by Christopher Pierce (Head of AAVS). This brought together the themes of architecture and food – the two integral parts of Danilovsky Market and AAVS Moscow Шар (Ball) Pavilion.

To find out more on the project, visit AAVS Moscow

Image credit: Natalya Kupriyanova