Redesigning the Pushkinsky Cinema Hall, is a chance to give this theater a design befitting its position at the center of Russia’s cultural life. It is also an opportunity to rethink how the theater engages with the public from its prominent position in Pushkin Square. The Changing the Face competition seeks to prove that changing the facade of once great buildings is not a mere superficial change, but one that can revitalize landmarks and change the dynamics of public space.

Address: Pushkin Square, 2, metro stations: Chekhovskaya, Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya The Pushkinsky cinema hall is located at Pushkin Square in central Moscow at the junction of Tverskaya Street and the Boulevard Ring. The Square is one of the most beloved gathering spots in the city: the mini-park near the monument to A. S. Pushkin is a vibrant, dynamic public space frequented by local Muscovites and tourists alike for dates, business appointments, and friendly get-togethers. Historically, the spot where the Cinema Hall now stands was occupied by the 16th-century Tver Gate of the White City. The cinema itself – originally nicknamed “Russia” -- was built in 1961 as the "palace" of the Moscow International Film Festivals (MIFF). The sweeping balcony and public galleries of the building seamlessly connected the function of the building to the already-bustling life of Pushkin Square. Architects Yu. N. Sheverdiayev and D. S. Solopov designed what was the first multiplex wide-screen movie theatre in the USSR, integrating innovative film technology with the efficiency and rationalism of Soviet-era design. The building was the prototype for antecedent movie houses in the USSR, replicated widely in small towns across the country. In 1997, after a comprehensive overhaul that involved its entire interior, the “Russia” was re-christened the “Pushkinsky.” The 2,056-seat theater was once more outfitted with the latest in cinematographic technology: this time, Dolby Digital sound and a cutting-edge Cinemaccanica projection system. The Pushkinsky continues to reign as the most important theater in Russia as it serves as the opening night venue for Russia’s largest film distribution company, Karo-Film. (Think New York’s Lincoln Center or Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.) Russia has a rich history as a center for film and theater, and its role as the venue for the Moscow Film Festival’s opening and closing ceremonies makes it an absolutely essential backdrop for one of Russia’s most storied cultural traditions. The goal of the competition is to respect that tradition -- and to push the Pushkinsky forward into the future of contemporary Russian cinema.

Applicants should submit their draft proposals via Architizer with the following items attached:

• 1 (one) .pdf file of main boards (6MB maximum)
• 1 (one) .doc file with a description of the draft proposal in Russian and English or English only
• 3 (three) .jpeg image files of rendersm sections and plans are strongly suggested

The image file of the main boards should contain at least one panoramic image, one vertical projection, one side selection and a development plan for the proposed project, along with a text description the applicants may regard as fitting for exhaustive explanation of the underlying concept of their proposal and their choice of materials. The applicants should also present their projects from different view angles, and include the narration and detailed description of the original concept underlying the final proposal presented. The proposals must be technologically feasible and reasonable enough. The applicants with award winning projects may be required to provide detailed feasibility report.

Competition notice:	8 February 2011
Registration opening:	8 February 2011
Seminars for architects:	22nd February - London, UK 24th February - Istanbul, Turkey 28th February - St. Petersburg, Russia 2nd March - Yekaterinburg, Russia 4th March - Moscow, Russia
Project submission deadline:	15 May 2011 @23:59 GMT
Project assessment:	Starting from 16 May 2011
Results notification: (to be also published on Architizer)	7-8 June 2011 (TBC)
Awarding ceremony:	7-8 June 2011

The Jury comprises Russian and foreign architects highly renowned for their architectural projects, and for scientific and academic achievements, and includes DuPont representatives. The Union of Architects of Russian aims to form a jury of such members who would ensure impartiality of the Competition owing to their personal work and achievements. The Chairman of the jury is the UAR President Andrey Bokov (Russia). The Jury members are:
Sergey Skuratov (Russia)
Aleksey Uchitel (Russia)
Matthias Hollwich (USA)
Marc Kushner (USA)
Kerem Erginoğlu (Turkey)
Corrado Tibaldi (Italy)
Bryan Avery (UK)