The winning "Russian Character" concept for a new cultural center in Butovo Park, Russia

Morton Group recently announced the winning proposal of their international "Russian Character" competition, where entrants had to uniquely incorporate concepts of contemporary Russian architecture for a new Russian Culture and Education Center in Butovo Park.

The two-stage competition rounded up 96 applications from 27 countries down to 15 for the second stage. The jury then selected the winner out of 12 finalist entries that were submitted anonymously. Unsurprisingly, eight of the finalists were from Russian firms.

Russian firm Megabudka won the competition with "Dacha in a Dvor", which the Morton Group plans to realize with an estimated 180 million rubles (approx. US$5.3 million). Slovenian studio ENOTA+Arhimetrics won an online vote for the People's Choice Award, while Totan Kuzembaev Studio and MEL's entries will be proposed for implementation in other districts.

Have a glimpse of the winning entries below.

Project description by Megabudka: "'The concept of ‘dacha’ is very close to the Russian people, and one of the most definitive architectural-topological forms in Russia today. The   first dachas appeared during the reign of Peter the Great, acquiring broader social significance in the Soviet era and remaining extremely important today. As a distinctly national concept, dacha is not translated when referenced in other languages, similar to cultural icons like matryoshka, samovar, babushka and borsch. The dacha’s flexibility in adapting to any rigid framework or allocated plot — thus expressing its own identity — is deeply symbolic of the Russian character. Demand for dachas is enormous in major cities, but lack of time along with traffic jams en route to and from the countryside reduce their accessibility.'

The word 'dvor' also has a unique Russian character, meaning courtyard or other form of yard adjacent to a residential building. It is a place shared by the building’s residents, an intermediary between the public space of streets and the private space of individual homes or apartments."

"Not a single member of the jury remained indifferent to Megabudka’s submission. Six of eight gave Dacha in the Dvor first place without reservations. City of Moscow Chief   Architect Sergey Kuznetsov mentioned its versatility and potential multifunctionality, and that the project remains distinctive regardless of the plot where it occupies. He recalled   that the Russian Education & Cultural Center in Butovo Park is a pilot project that the Morton Group plans to implement in other new housing developments, adding that although the present terms of reference are very clear, selecting a project capable of future adaptation was an unanticipated bonus."

"The Russian Culture & Education Center will be the main gathering place for residents of the Butovo Park residential district, which is currently under construction by the Morton Group. It will contain up to 70 sections, including facilities for theater, visual arts, creative workshops, regional studies and athletics. Special attention will be given to promoting and perpetuating Russian cultural traditions."

All images courtesy of the Russian Character competition.

Click the thumbnails below to see entries from ENOTA+Arhimetrics, Totan Kuzambaev Studio, and MEL.