The proposal for Moscow’s New National Center for Contemporary Arts by WAI Architecture conceives the new exhibition space to be an extension of the existing city that will house all programs necessary for bringing a community together.
Promenade View (Night). Image Courtesy of WAI Think Tank
One of its main focuses is creating a flexible space that will enable it to alternate between various functions as well as implementing additional programs when needed. The extensive amount of open space surrounding the structure helps to bring the public into the park as a communal relaxation space.
Children’s Educational Centre. Image Courtesy of WAI Think Tank
This idea of fusing the park with the structure opens the design up to merging both the art and public together. The experience of the museum is an open one; there is no established path that the users have to traverse so it enables them to walk freely through the museum and also opens the possibility of continuously stumbling upon new works. Circulation ultimately leads to the park as well as the metro station nearby. Its functions include various public programs, creative residences, office space, conference halls, and the collection repository.
Architects: WAI Think Tank
Country: Russia, Moscow
Year: 2014
Photographs: Courtesy of WAI Think Tank
Design Team: Cruz Garcia, Nathalie Frankowski, Edgar Garcia, Zhang Yanping, Yu Yihua, Anna Popova, Ilyas Sadybekov
Structural Engineer: +G (Felix Cruz Marcos, Laura Gil Santana)
Technology and Sustainability: Alejandra Garcia Hooghuis
Museology Consultant: Evgenia Novgorodova
Area: 45000.0 sqm
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.