To borrow rather freely from Dante (forgive us!), culture is the motor that moves the world. It moves peoples, creates connections, expands horizons, shaping a vision of the future. Not by chance, culture is part of renewal projects, though often not their basis. Also urban renewal, as in the case of Moscow. The city is going through a new transformation – we have been watching it and talking about it for some time now – which since the World Cup of soccer last year has brought a breeze of freshness and internationalism. While sport offered the apparent stimulus, culture in all its breadth and depth has taken its cue to give rise to a new challenge, where new facilities become embodiments of an innovative spirit.
On this proving ground, the leading international firms face off: Renzo Piano, Zaha Hadid Architects, Herzog & de Meuron, Rem Koolhaas are the names behind the latest (some still under construction) works of architecture for culture, including museums, technology centers, universities, centers of the arts and music.
The city is reborn, and the market as well, as a capital capable of attracting international visitors, on a par with the world’s leading cities. The new energy also emerges from local designers (already famous or making a name thanks to the SaloneSatellite), by now able to speak an increasingly contemporary, articulate language, displaying affinities with the design culture that has been spread by Made in Italy as well – let’s take some credit!
