Museum of Russian Impressionism

The project provides a dedicated art museum for the display of Russian Impressionist Art, located at the heart of the redeveloped historic Bolshevik Factory on Leningradsky Prospekt in central Moscow. The Museum was opened to the public by the Minister of Culture in May 2016 and has already established itself a key destination in the City's rapidly developing cultural landscape.

The Museum provides over 1,000m² of exhibition space, a cinema, a multimedia zone, educational facilities for children, a café and retail facilities. The exhibition space is arranged over three floors, with the permanent collection on the ground floor and temporary exhibits on the upper floors.

The project forms part of the Bolshevik Factory Masterplan, which has transformed one of Moscow's most important historic pre-Soviet industrial estates into a new business centre. The key creative challenge was to work within the radial geometries and envelope of an existing storage silo to create a contemporary art museum with the flexibility to accommodate a changing programme of exhibitions and events.

A grand radial public stair links all levels, leading to a dramatic cantilevered window overlooking landscaped courtyards. Supporting infrastructure is located in the basement, with the administrative suite on the fourth floor. The remodelled exterior is clad in perforated anodised aluminium cladding.

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'At the beginning and end of a visit, people can reconnect this building as part of the remarkable history of the Bolshevik Estate. The Museum is part of this story and its establishment runs parallel with the regeneration and transformation of one of Moscow’s most important examples of pre-Soviet industrial heritage.'

Aidan Potter, Partner, John McAslan + Partners