In 1977, the movie house, Novorossiysk, was constructed. During the 80's cinema clubs, lectures, and film festivals used the site to meet and showcase film. Here Muscovites (Moscow residents) had the opportunity to watch the films of Takeshi Kitano, Michael Haneke, Lars von Trier, and other foreign directors for the first time. Eventually, in the 1990s, the area became a platform for business development, business communication, training, and work.
After a significant renovation in 2017, the building turned into the Digital Business Space. The site's facade, interiors, and technical equipment were updated to reflect the area. The space was divided into different zones (foyers, classrooms, offices, digital workshops) where exhibitions, presentations, and lectures could be held. With the entire reconstruction cost close to $15 million the space became a new place for Moscow's business and technological community to thrive. In order for the building to reflect the site's new ethos its appearance and interiors had to coincide with the overall concept.
The design team aimed to transform the entire building to represent the technological hub it had become. From the building's facade to the interior, the former movie house was completely updated.
The building's appearance required many repairs. The original stone slabs used to decorate the building were made in 1977, and by 2017 the entire building's facade was due for an upgrade. The design team decided to sustain the architecture of the cinema, Novorossiysk, and add innovative materials and a new programmable light display to the facade. This helped preserve the architectural ensemble of the building while incorporating new technological flourishes.
An innovative material was used to create the facade. It was made of light-conducting concrete, which was previously used only in interior decoration. DBS became the first building in Russia, where such a solution was applied to the design of the facade. The new facade was complemented by media panels and LED elements, where projections and images could be broadcasted on the walls. Thanks to the fiber optic light-transmitting concrete, the facades could also change color.
Light-conducting concrete is made from high-strength cement, marble, or granite particles of small fractions. Hundreds of thousands of fiber-optic threads are embedded within the structure of the material to make it appear transparent. The end result takes the form of polished natural stone. Originally, this type of light-conducting concrete was used for public buildings in Germany. One notable project designed by Zaha Hadid used this building material for a BMW in Leipzig.
The new hall of the Digital Business Space was designed for people striving for innovation. United by a common idea of fostering research and business acumen, the group wanted to create a new design for the building without moving away from the rapidly changing global trends.
The hall has a unique ceiling that combines simplicity and singularity in its execution. Appearing to look like it's made entirely of wood, the design team created a rack-and-pinion metal ceiling, which resembles the wood aesthetic. The design detail provides a comfortable and calming atmosphere.
Brown wood panels decorate the 640-seat conference room. To make visitors feel comfortable and spacious, we added ample amounts of light that were hidden behind triangular acoustic panels on the walls and ceiling. We also placed small built-in lamps along the stairs to help guests of the hall easily navigate in the dark. The lights are located as close as possible to the steps not to distract the audience while watching a movie or presentation.
The theatre's chairs were reupholstered and updated for comfort and easy seat navigation. Each chair comes with a pull out desks located within the armrests as well as plug-in floor sockets to keep gadgets working during presentations.
A small conference hall was created for presentations and film screenings. The cozy and capacious hall is furnished with comfortable textile numbered chairs. The floor was also resurfaced to allow for increased durability. Additional interior details include silver water pipes that add a unique effect to the room. These backlights emit color-changing lights to add to the interior mood of the room.
Behind the decorative beams on the walls and ceiling are acoustic panels providing high-quality sound. The inviting lobby creates a comfortable atmosphere where guests can enjoy a cup of coffee while they wait for events. The walls are complemented by volumetric triangles matching the patterns on the floor. Glowing tables add an impressive look both during the day as well as at night. To make visitors feel comfortable, the design team placed soft sofas and padded stools to help maintain the freedom of space.
The building has media columns with navigation, interactive multimedia wall, smart tables, capsules for work, and rest. Led lights illuminate the territory around the DBS with Wi-Fi and areas for charging mobile devices.
All the applied solutions in the building emphasize its Moscow's spark of creative industries pursuing a blend of technology, entrepreneurship, and development.
The large conference room on the second floor is equipped with an LED screen measuring 15.8 by 8.6 meters. There's also a multimedia wall made of a seamless panel measuring 12.1 by 2.7 meters that projects high-definition images. The system helps guests to share information freely. They can use a single screen to map big data and create content together.
The second floor contains a 70 seat co-working area. The floor comes equipped with a sound-absorbing cabin for Internet calls and Skype meetings in addition to smart tables for meetings. Each table comes fully equipped with Bluetooth, USB ports, wireless charging, and heat induction slots for mugs. The tables also include electric micro-lifts for people with limited mobility in addition to "cyber capsules" for work and rest.
Touch screen panels establish visitor registration in the building: information is automatically sent to the database. The system instantly makes a photo of the guest, and prints provide them with a plastic badge.
The project implemented technological products and services from businesses within Russia. From Wifi LED parking lights and automatic network stations for rental scooters, the building's new design is a representation of Moscow's transition into a digital center for business.
More than 400 events are held in the Digital Business Space building every year. Events include innovation and technology forums, events for young and experienced DBS entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and potential customers of innovative solutions.
In 2018 DBS was visited by more than 50,000 people, and in 2019 the number reached one hundred thousand visitors. Many of the visitors consisted of those leading startups as well as entrepreneurs within the DBS community. These groups are allowed to show investors and representatives of the city their ideas and prototypes. Moscow's Digital Business Space has become a hub for leaders in technology, entertainment, and design to meet, collaborate, and create new ideas for the future.
Learn more about the Moscow Agency of Innovations and their programming here.
This post is brought to you by Moscow Agency of Innovations
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