The Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

The project by Herzog & de Meuron, a famous Swiss architectural bureau, leaves no one indifferent. They are holders of Pritzker Architectural Prize, which is a sort of Oscar in the domain of architectural design, as well as creators of dozens of the most beautiful constructions all over the world, and now they are praised for the creation of Skoltech, which is their first project in Russia. The facades of the building are decorated with wooden panels, forming a ribbed structure, which unites all the composition of blocks. Edgy folders of the roof, just like the ones on the Elbphilharmonie (the Elbe Philharmonic Hall), designed by the same authors, can not be mistaken. In addition to exterior aesthetics, this façade decoration controls the inflow of daylight indoors. The architects used Guardian SunGuard® HP Neutral 60/40 coated glass for façade glazing. Its moderate glassiness accentuates the decorative elements, wooden lamellae. Besides, that’s to a special invisible coating, sputtered onto the glass by magnetron deposition, Guardian SunGuard® HP Neutral 60/40 glass perfectly combines the properties of solar protection and energy saving.

The more you get to know the Institute, the more it resembles a fortress: there are two big semi-circles, the Eastern and the Western ones, located within the main circle. Each of them, in its turn, consists of blocks that form student quarters. Despite its massive outwardly appearance, the building is airy in its essence, and all the yards and block are interconnected, so you can easily move from one to another. In the area of the external circle there are administrative facilities and dean’s offices of five faculties. The inner circle is composed of classroom facilities. In the center of this flawless geometrical composition there is the Central Yard, which can be seen almost from everywhere.