The Melnikov House will be closed for restoration in October
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We found out why the work deadlines have shifted
Restoration of the legendary Melnikov House in Krivoarbatsky Lane was going to start this spring. However, the deadlines have shifted, and it became clear that the option of an open restoration, when the house remains partially available to the public, is not possible. Still, the masterpiece of constructivism, created in 1927–1929, will have to be closed for the duration of the work, which is about 2.5 years. On August 26, the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage will make a decision on the second package of documentation for the restoration of Konstantin Melnikov’s house, where the architect lived for almost half a century. The director of the Shchusev Museum of Architecture, Elizaveta Likhacheva, told MK what the Melnikov House is waiting for in the near future.
The poor condition of the Melnikov House and the need for restoration have been talked about for a very long time. The real preparation for work began 8 years ago. After a detailed survey of the building and the land on which it stands, a restoration project was developed. In the spring of 2021, the Shchusev Museum published the results of the survey and the restoration plan. Then it was assumed that the restoration project would cost 16 million rubles, work would begin in the spring of 2022 and be completed by the end of 2024. However, the start of work has now been pushed back by a year. Why – “MK” explained Elizaveta Likhacheva.
– Everything was delayed, because we initially went the wrong way. During the survey, significant shortcomings in the subject of protection were identified, and we had to correct it. Therefore, we delayed the restoration project – it was ready by April of this year and submitted for approval to the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage. The first part of the project has already been agreed, the second should be approved by August 26. After that, we will begin the selection of the contractor and preparation. Real work at the facility will begin in the spring of 2023. And from autumn we will prepare the monument for restoration, that is, we will take out the furniture and equip the construction site.
– Initially, it was said that the Melnikov House would be partially accessible to the public during restoration. Why is it now decided to close the monument after all?
“We did not want to close it, but the restorers convinced us that it was necessary because of the peculiarities of the heating and ventilation system in the house. Otherwise, building dust will get into other parts of the building. A significant part of the work will take place in the winter, when the heating is on. If we close the ventilation in any one room, the temperature in this room will immediately drop, because there are not batteries, but an air heating system. And if the temperature drops, then it is impossible to do any “wet” plastering work. This is dangerous for the structure and memorial items. Because building plaster dust eats into furniture. It will then be very difficult to restore it.
How long will the monument be available to the public?
Until October 2022. That is, it will be available during September, then the house will close. We plan to take out the items in 2–2.5 months. After that, the building will remain empty for some time, we will equip the construction site. We are not in a hurry. Yes, it can be done faster, but our main task is to ensure the safety of the monument. Therefore, we act very carefully. Part of the memorial furnishings can only be taken out through a four-meter stained-glass window, which immediately after that will need to be dismantled. If we open it, we won’t close it. His condition raises very serious concerns.
— Do the objects from the Melnikov House themselves need restoration?
– Restoration of objects is carried out regardless of the restoration of the house. This is planned work. This is what our restoration workshops do.
– When will the work be completed?
– Initially, we laid a lot of time, realizing that there could be pitfalls. We should finish by the end of 2025. That is, in 2026 the house should open to visitors.
– Now the house can only be visited as part of a limited tour group. How will it be after restoration?
– Similar. Restoration of the Melnikov House will not lead to an increase in the number of visitors.
— Do you plan any events around the Melnikov House and its creator while the monument is closed?
– In October, a large exhibition dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the architect opens. It was prepared for 2020 – that is, directly for the anniversary. But due to the pandemic, the project was postponed. Publications dedicated to the monument and Konstantin Melnikov will be continued. But the most important thing for us now is to go to the restoration. There was the last jerk, the most difficult. Everything is ready, now we need to start this machine.
What is the restoration budget?
– We did not initially calculate the budget, it is meaningless. A restoration project from the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage will now be released, and an estimate will be made. The contractor will take care of this. The restoration project cost 25 million rubles. From experience I can say that usually a restoration project is 5-10% of the cost of the work itself. That is, we can calculate that the work will cost about 200-250 million rubles.
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The Melnikov House will be closed for restoration in October
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