Architecture Competition SKYHIVE 2020 Skyscraper Challenge Honourable mention - MOSCOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE | MARKHI

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honourable mention winner for our “SKYHIVE 2020 Skyscraper Challenge” competition - Gennadi Kraev from the Russian Federation.

Gennadi Kraev 

I graduated from the Moscow Institute of Architecture and the Moscow College of Architecture and Management in Construction. For two years between college and institute I worked at various construction sites in Moscow, where I gained experience and knowledge in organizing construction processes and saw the cooperation between architects and a builders from a different angle.

During my studies at the institute, I first worked as a BIM-manager on the construction of the VTB-arena stadium, and it was a good experience in terms of understanding the organization of design processes and teamwork on complex large-scale projects based on BIM technology.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where company/individuals have been involved?

At the moment I work for a Russian architectural bureau “APEX Project Bureau”. It is a young and actively developing company, whose most prominent projects are Paveletskaya Plaza, GES-2, Badaevsky, RED7, which we work on in collaboration with companies like Herzog & de Meuron, MVRDV and RPBW. The projects I have worked on are subject to NDA, so I am afraid I cannot describe them. Now I am taking part in the design of a large business centre located in the heart of Moscow.

What  does  architecture  mean  to  you  and  what  is  the  role  of  an architect  in  your  society?

Architecture for me, on one hand, is the process of creating new microworlds and spaces, and on the other hand, it is the result of this process. Emotional perception of the result is one of the main criteria for the quality of an architect's work. And one of the most important reasons for which I love my profession is that in order for the vision of an architect to be fulfilled in the intended form, it is necessary to negotiate and find common rational solutions with a large number of people from related areas, to take into account the interests of the customer and the residents of the city. The architect is the connecting link for all of them, which makes the creation process even more interesting and exciting.

The architect’s role in our society can hardly be overestimated, although people tend to take it for granted. Yet everywhere we go in cities, we are surrounded by architects’ ideas brought to life. The space that the architect creates greatly influences many aspects of a person's life, therefore he has a great responsibility.

Why  do  you  participate  in  architecture  vision  competitions?

For me, as an architect, it is an amazing opportunity to express my thoughts and ideas without facing frames and restrictions. I love to offer my vision of solving certain problems, to experiment and create projects on the verge of reality.  The spirit of competition, which I believe should live in the heart of every architect, is a driving force for me.

What  advice  would  you  give  to  individuals  who  struggle  to  decide  whether  it  would  be  beneficial for  them  to  participate  in  architecture  vision  competitions?

Participation in contests is always a win-win thing. You win in any case, as you learn or discover something new for yourself while working. When we work on a competition, we set ourselves the goal of coming up with something new, going beyond the boundaries of the usual thinking, finding a way to look at familiar things from another angle. Competitions are an excellent platform that allows you to improve your skills and set a vector for the development of your ideas.