Herzog and de Meuron-designed tech university building opens in Moscow

The first building designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog and de Meuron for the new tech campus of Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), outside Moscow, Russia, has been completed.

The new Skoltech University East Wing building is part of District 3 of the five-district Skolkovo community, which is the government’s initiative for a new urban development.

Located 17km west of the Kremlin, Skolkovo will offer residents a mix of diverse facilities across the five districts.

Herzog & de Meuron was commissioned to design the masterplan of District 3 with the new university serving as the core element.

Construction of the building started in 2013.

The Skoltech University consists of three circular shapes and phases, namely the East Ring, the Agora and the West Ring.

The new 1,442,000ft² East Wing building is shaped similar to a large ring with a 919ft diameter. Its outer ring and two small inner rings encompass an auditorium, academic facilities and shared spaces. A large basement accommodates support and technical amenities.

The blocks are oriented east-west in order to receive sufficient daylight. The lab and workshop blocks are located in checkered shapes within a grid. The building has several courtyards in varying sizes and shapes. The rings are decked in wood fins, while the exterior of the bars are decked in white aluminum fins.

This is not the only ring shaped building for Skolkovo. The Moscow School of Management Skolkovo, which will be completed in 2020, will also feature a circular podium topped by bars.