Alexander Kuzmin wished the forum good luck

This year, the International Forum of High-rise and Unique Construction 100+ Forum Russia was held in Yekaterinburg for the third time. According to experts, the forum is gaining strength and becoming more meaningful. Stroitelnaya Gazeta, the information partner of the forum, asked Alexander Kuzmin, a direct participant in the events, President of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, General Director of JSC SIC Stroitelstvo, to share his impressions.

SG: Alexander Viktorovich, how did this year's congress differ from the previous ones?

Alexander KUZMIN: This is the third forum in a row. And I want to say that it is growing before our eyes both quantitatively and, most gratifyingly, qualitatively. If we talk about numbers, this year the forum was attended by four thousand people compared to last year's three thousand. If we talk about quality, this year the forum has become truly international - very good specialists in high—rise construction from Spain, China, Japan, and Germany have arrived. Another obvious difference, which was noted not only by me: the forum has become more professional. There was a lot of ostentatious PR last year. There was no such thing, but there was serious practical work — excellent round tables, interesting lectures. But what pleasantly surprised and even amazed me was that such highly specialized issues as foundations, soils, and work in permafrost conditions were sold out. The halls were packed with young people who recorded every word for the experts. When Vladimir Ilyich Travush shared his experience on "City", the hall was full, those who wanted to listen to him stood in two rows along the walls!

SG: What other aspects besides technical ones were discussed at the forum?

A.K.: Let's just say it's humanitarian. In my speeches, I tried to convey to young people that construction, in addition to structures and foundations, is primarily an urban environment and architecture. It is necessary to understand, know and take into account how high-rise buildings affect the silhouette of the city, whether they will destroy the existing urban appearance. I believe that urban planning aspects should be gradually introduced into the work of the forum.: what is landscape and visual analysis, how does the tower look at a specific point, and how does it fit in with the historical part? In Yekaterinburg, for example, there are two towers — "Vysotsky" and "Iset", together they look great, they support each other. and the city itself, which has a lot of constructivism, "supports" them. But what will happen if a third or fourth one appears, what will happen to the appearance of the city? These issues are closely intertwined with issues of urban planning regulation. For example, architects can see where a tower is appropriate and where it is not. But it is necessary that the architectural composition coincides with the capabilities and desires of those who own this site, there must be people who want to live in such buildings, people who know how to build, and investors who want to do this. All this requires a complex urban planning solution. Because high-rise construction is not part of the mandatory program. This is an arbitrary program, and it should be interesting to all sides of the process. Another important issue that we also discussed is the "fifth facade" — that is, the view from above. That's what I think we failed at City. When you look from above, the roof of the mall is filled with all kinds of air conditioners. Aesthetics are not enough.

SG: What would you like to wish the forum?

A.K.: move in the same direction. Expand horizons, invite professionals. And, of course, just good luck.

Author: Oksana Samborskaya
A source: Construction newspaper