FAI Glavgosexpertiza of Russia Issued a Positive Opinion on the Museum and Theatre & Educational Complex in Kemerovo

FAI Glavgosexpertiza of Russia issued a positive opinion on the design documentation and engineering surveys for the Museum Complex (Branch of the State Russian Museum), the Opera and Ballet Theatre (950 seats), the Kuzbass Art Centre with a general purpose and concert halls. Phase 2 Basements. Structures below 0.000. The complex is a cultural & educational cluster facility built by Stroytransgaz Siberia JSC in Kemerovo on behalf of the National Cultural Heritage Foundation.

The functional purpose of the facility is a multi-purpose art centre building. The site area is 48,557.00 m², the developed area is 17,957.13 m². The level of responsibility of the designed capital construction facility is high. Geodetic, geological, hydrometeorological and environmental surveys were performed to issue the opinion. The project was developed by the Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au and adapted for Russian conditions and standards by the Russian designer, GORKA Group.

The museum & theatre complex will be a new cultural point and a future architectural landmark in the urban landscape of the Kemerovo downtown. The complex will be connected to a network of public spaces, including the to-be embankment. It will unite big and small halls of the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the branch of the Russian Museum and the Kuzbass Art Centre into a general purpose public space.

The building exterior will consist of the images of a graceful floating cloud, which will house the theatre, and two crystals (a museum and an art centre) located around the Atrium. Its heart will be located in the centre of the building, a 950-seat theatre hall with a fly tower* and backstage rooms. In addition, the theatre "cluster" will house auxiliary premises, including offices, VIP rooms and rehearsal rooms.

* A fly tower is the space above the stage housing the stage equipment and props.

The elevated public space, the Atrium, will be not only a junction of all cultural spaces, cafes, restaurants located here, but also a new place for meetings and events. Partial panoramic glazing of the public space will provide a breathtaking view of the surroundings. The height difference makes up terraces that can be used at any time of the day, during holidays and for entertainment purposes.

The hall leads to the general purpose and lecture halls of the Russian Museum, the dance and lecture halls of the Kuzbass Art Centre, and a small hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. The museum's crystal houses an exhibition hall, conservation and restoration shops and offices.

The crystal of the Kuzbass Art Centre will house a cinema and concert hall, educational and auxiliary premises, a recording studio and offices of the complex. There are two side stages, rear stage** and a fly*** above the stage. Dressing rooms, rehearsal rooms, lounges and service rooms will be located at different levels around the stage.

** The rear stage is a special space located behind the main stage to continue it and create an illusion of greater depth for the spectator and being a reserve premises for theatrical props.

*** A fly is the mesh decking above the stage housing the stage equipment and props.

The task to create four new cultural centres (in Vladivostok, Kemerovo, Kaliningrad and South Russia) was set by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in his Address to the Federal Assembly in 2018 and specified in the Executive Order On National Goals and Strategic Objectives of Development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2024.

The creation of modern cultural & educational complexes is a unique Russian educational project that will change the quality of life throughout the Russian Federation through introduction to art. The schools as part of these complexes will have all conditions required for affordable and high-quality vocational training of young talents, who will become the new cultural and creative capital of this country. The project is important for developing the international cultural collaboration and will have a special economic and social significance not only for the region, but for the country as a whole.

The Siberian Arts Complex includes: Opera and Ballet Theatre, branch of the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre; Museum & Exhibition Centre, branch of Russian Museum; Kuzbass Art Centre, including a Cinema and Concert Complex; Siberian Campus of the Russian State Scenic Art Institute; School of Creative Industries; Branch of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography; The Siberian Branch of the Central School of Music at Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory with a boarding school, a comprehensive school, a museum depository, two residential houses and a student dormitory. The construction of facilities in Kemerovo started in 2019.