Irina Aristarkhova Co-organizes Lectures in Russian Architecture, Design, and Urbanism

In conjunction with the International Institute at the University of Michigan, the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design is a proud co-sponsor of two lectures on Russian Architecture, Design, and Urbanism. Co-organized by Stamps School Associate Professor Irina Aristarkhova, the lectures will take place on Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5 in the Art & Architecture Auditorium.

Grasping a Post-Socialist Agenda for Architecture: Design as Political Yeast
Speaker: Sergei Sitar 
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 12 – 1:30 pm
Art & Architecture Auditorium 
Room 2104, Art & Architecture Building, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd

The recollection of Sergei Sitar’s personal and professional experience, from his studying in LA’s SCI-Arc in 1991 – 92, and up to participating in establishing a new architectural school MARCH in Moscow, is meant to serve as a starting point for a broader discussion on the political influence of art, architecture and design; the specificity of Russia’s (postsocialist) urban and cultural landscape – in comparison with that of the US and Western Europe; the changing role of urban planning, architectural media and professional associations. 

Sergey Sitar is an architect, urbanist, critic and editor of the Theory Section of Project International magazine and leader of the History and Theory module at MARCH School of Architecture. 

Buromoscow: Scales of Operation 
Speakers: Olga Aleksakova & Julia Burdova
Wednesday, April 5, 6 – 8 pm
Art & Architecture Auditorium 
Room 2104, Art & Architecture Building, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd

Russian architecture and planning reality is undergoing meaningful changes that are rarely noticed and discussed within the common architectural agenda. In the 25years of market economy a new generation of architects and planners emerged in Russia. The rigid soviet planning system is slowly giving way to participatory models. Public space became a topic of heated public discussion and generous city investment sector. Millions of square meters of housing have been built, testing to the limit the soviet traditional prefabrication model. The microrayon heritage has been explored and re-evaluated. Julia Burdova and Olga Aleksakova, partners at Buromoscow, will talk about changes happening in Russia with the examples of their work.

Olga Aleksakova, Dipl ing, CMA, SBR. Graduated from TU Delft in 1998. From 1998 till 2004 she worked in OMA Rottedam. Founded Buromoscow in 2004. Julia Burdova, Arch, CMA. Graduated from MARCHI faculty of Urban Planning in 1997. Founded Buromoscow in 2004.