Former Research Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy named after Bardina has become a public space with offices, coworking and cafes.
The revitalization of the former plant opposite the Bauman Moscow State Technical University was carried out by the developer Alexey Kapitanov, who already has successfully implemented the projects “Bakery No. 9” and “Red Arrow”. The heart of the new public space was the lobby, which occupies the building of the former workshop. The name “Supermetall” refers to the history of the place and is played in the finishing materials, which are emphasized in the interior. It was inherited from the previous owners, and the current owners decided to keep it and visually beat it in identity, presenting it as an element of the periodic table.
Photo of the object before the work.
Photo of the object before the work.
The architectural and design concept of the space was developed by architect Maria Yasko. Her task was to fill the “Workshop” with new functions: to allocate space for offices, meeting rooms, cafes, a coworking area. Initially, the workshop was an empty, elongated space without ceilings with high ceilings and window openings laid with glass blocks. The industrial atmosphere was preserved, but the glass blocks were replaced with new ones made of transparent glass to let more natural light into the interior. The metal roof and walls were cleaned of finishing and left in this form and other materials were picked up in the company for them: rolled and Korten steel and concrete.
Making a second floor in a space with seven-meter ceilings was a logical decision, but in order to preserve the feeling of air and emphasize the scale, Maria Yasko designed the mezzanine. It has an undulating shape and creates an interesting effect: it allows you to estimate the volume of the room and at the same time hides it behind the next turn. The mezzanine was occupied by small offices that are rented out, and along them there is a gallery with a length of about 150 m, along which you can walk the entire “Workshop”. Undulating curves are repeated in architectural forms located on the lower level: planters, concrete-cast meeting rooms and elements zoning the space. According to the architect’s idea, rounded shapes soften the brutality of the materials chosen for finishing. For the same purpose, a large number of plants have been planted here.
The construction process.
The construction process.
Some of the furniture for the public space below is custom-made and, like the walls and railing of the gallery, sheathed in steel. There is an interesting element in the center of the round metal table: a machine found in this workshop is stored under a glass hood, like a museum exhibit. And this art object is an excellent symbol of the new life of the old workshop.
