Elizaveta Kiseleva
Museum of forfeited architecture on the site of The Warm Trade Rows (mid-19th century) an abandoned cultural heritage site in the heart of Moscow.
Preserving cultural heritage is crucial in Russia, as highlighted by cultural scholar Y. M. Lotman who described culture as a memory integral to human history and continuity. Russia’s history of wars and fires has led to the loss of countless architectural monuments, representing irreplaceable cultural, spiritual, and social capital. These losses, fundamental to national pride and global stature, are irreversible, underscoring the need for their preservation in museums through dedicated exhibitions and projects.
The Warm Trading Rows are an architectural monument located in the heart of Moscow. Its facade faces one of the city’s main streets, Ilyinka, as well as Bogoyavlensky Lane, which, in addition to the trading rows themselves, is home to numerous architectural monuments from the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The complex was constructed in the 1860s by architect Alexander Stepanovich Nikitin. It was built on the site of the Novgorod Podvorye (courtyard) and the Singers’ Settlement. One of the buildings incorporated the Church of Elijah the Prophet, dating back to the 16th–17th centuries. The Warm Trading Rows were the first in Moscow to receive year-round heating, which is reflected in their name. Their construction marked the beginning of the renewal of trading rows along Ilyinka: following the Warm Trading Rows, the passages of the Upper and Middle Trading Rows were erected.
Under the rubble of the Warm Rows, parts of the Novgorod courtyard from the 16th century were hidden for a long time. Since the main theme of the museum’s design was to preserve as many authentic elements as possible, the ruins of the courtyard were conserved. The remains of authentic brickwork, buried in the ground, were covered with a glass cloth after restoration. Thus, without being subjected to external influences, they remain accessible for viewing as one of the most fascinating exhibits of the museum’s exhibition space.
The preserved parts of the building are being carefully restored. The destroyed volumes are being recreated with a framework made of volumetric metal mesh, completely replicating the original appearance of the building. Thus, the airy open spaces contrast with the monolithic historical parts of the brick building complex. The use of mesh allows the creation of a space devoid of matter, which immerses guests in a dialogue with history: We are powerless to return what has long been lost, but we can recreate the echo. The architectural solution of the museum is an attempt to go beyond the spatial-temporal dimension and capture the dialogue between the eternal and the temporal, the natural and the man-made, the clear and the phantom.
In the planning of the Warm Trade Rows Museum, an exhibition section is envisaged, alongside a community center space that encompasses an assembly hall, a restaurant, and commercial premises; a library, and classrooms for craft circles, as well as an archive. This museum not only serves as a gateway to the rich architectural and historical legacy of Moscow’s Warm Trading Rows but also functions as a vibrant cultural hub. The exhibition area is dedicated to showcasing the history and evolution of the Warm Trading Rows, highlighting its architectural significance and the role it has played in the economic and social fabric of Moscow from the 1860s to the present day. Visitors can explore a wide range of artifacts, photographs, and documents that bring to life the bustling marketplace it once was, including the groundbreaking introduction of year-round heating that led to its name.
The community center within the museum aims to engage visitors with a lively mix of educational and cultural activities. The assembly hall hosts a variety of events, from lectures and workshops focusing on Moscow’s urban development and architectural heritage to cultural performances. The museum’s library and craft classrooms are dedicated to education and hands-on experiences. Here, visitors of all ages can engage in craft workshops, learn new skills, and delve deeper into the history and culture. The archive, an essential part of the museum, houses a wealth of historical documents and materials crucial for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the deep, layered history of the Warm Trading Rows and Moscow at large.
Author: Elizaveta Kiseleva.
Location: Moscow, Russia.
University: Moscow Architectural Institute.
Year: 2022