Description

Founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great, the Hermitage Museum is one of the largest museums in the world. In early 2000, it was decided that the eastern wing s General Staff Building (1820-30) should be converted into a museum of 19th and 20th century art, and an international architectural competetition was held. St Petersburg-based Studio 44 won the commission for the elegant manner with which it addressed the project s complexity, by preserving the integrity of the original design, adapting a ministry building into an exhibition space, incorporating 21st-century museum technologies and connecting to the main buildings and public areas of the city beyond. The centrepiece of the design is a breathtaking enfilade that will enthral visitors to the new space. The scale and dramatic outcome of the building provides a treasure trove of information and inspiration for architects, museum visitors, curators and anyone interested in Russia s rich cultural heritage, of which this building marks a new chapter.