An open competition could be launched for the restoration and future use of Moscow's 1922 Shukhov Tower after it was saved from demolition. A campaign led by some of the biggest names in architecture has persuaded Moscow city council to overturn plans to dismantle the 150 meters steel lattice radio tower to make way for a new development. Now Moscow city council has announced it is to give the structure protected status, citing its dominance on the skyline, its 3D design - it features five interlocking hyperboloids - and the method of its construction as key reasons. And, in conjunction with the national government, it wants to hold an open international competition to restore the tower and find future uses. But there is some doubt about whether an international competition would be legal because the legislation requires special certificate from The Ministry for Culture of Russia for cultural heritage works, according to a report in the Izvestia newspaper. Properly called the Shabolovka radio tower and designed by the engineer, academician Vladimir Shukhov, it was described by Foster as a work of "dazzling genius".
The world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge opened in Sochi National Park, Russia. It's not really meant to serve your daily commute, though - the bridge is part of the Sochi Skypark. The 439-meters-long bridge was built over a 218 meters chasm and it attracts bungee jumpers and sightseers alike. The Sochi Skypark Bridge was developed in collaboration with New Zealand, and it took 5 years, 740 tons of metal and 2,000 cubic meters of concrete to construct. The bridge and the bungee platform are suspended by 8 cables - each of which is rated to hold 300 tons. Those who have the opportunity to visit Sochi can take a stroll along the huge structure overlooking roads, rivers and mountains 218 meters below. Those that feel more adventurous can get in line for a bungee jumping experience - there are several different points on the bridge from which to jump.
As reported the M24.ru, the new blacktop Nano road "Rosnano" with nanoparticles, rumble strips and glowing markings will be opened in October 2015 in North village, in the north-east of Moscow. Innovative road 655 meters in length and 15-18.5 meters in width will start from Dolgoprudnenskoe highway. The project budget is estimated US$ 5.6 million. During the blacktop construction will be used "Nano dispersed and polymeric components" to extend the roadway life. Stabilizing supplements should increase validity of asphalt in three times and prevent formation of cracks during frosts. Traffic lane markings made of polymeric tapes will be more resistant to automobile tires. In addition, the new road will test LED layout. On the "zebra crossings" may be installed laser 3D-holograms. During construction of "Rusnano" also suggested the use of shredded car tires.
Pile foundations have been completed for the 463-meter Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg, Russia. The last pile under the foundation was produced on June 17, 2014, and the project is on schedule, developers say. In total there are 2,080 piles of various diameters and depths in the foundations of the complex. All the piles are bored. Two hundred sixty-four piles 2 meters in diameter support the tower, 848 piles of 1.2 meters' diameter support the multifunctional building and entrance arch, and 968 piles of 600 millimeters support the underground car park. The behavior of the piles will be monitored by sensors, which will record information during the entire period of construction and operation of the complex.
"MIC" company will built a new micro-district with 500 thousand square meters total area in "New Moscow" near Yamontovo village. Recently company bought 56.4 acres of land for US$ 67 million. According to "Kommersant" publication there is no detailed information about the project: cleared up only the investment sum, which is estimated to be about US$ 720 million. Many buildings were constructed in "New Moscow" last year. According to RBK publication, at the beginning of 2013 there were only 115 buildings in this City, but at the beginning of 2014 there are already 292. Officially the project of "New Moscow" was presented to public on June 11, 2011. On July 1, 2012 officially accepted decision to expand Moscow territory in 2.4 times. After this enlargement Moscow shifts from 11th to 6th place in the biggest cities ranking by territory.
