Architectural and artistic image of a historical and memorial complex in the Arkhangelsk Oblast

Abstract

The study focuses on the problem of сreating a historical and memorial complex on the Mudyug Island in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. A new architectural and artistic image of the socio-cultural environment is created, which bears spirituality and perpetuates the memory of the last century’s tragic events. This is achieved by a wide toolkit of the architectural science, a review of literature sources review, and a theoretical generalization of the global experience. S.G. Shabiev conducted field surveys of memorial complexes not only in the Russian Federation, but also in Australia, Canada, China, and European countries. Moreover, an architectural and landscape analysis of the designed area was carried out, along with a study of potential tourist routes and connection to the continental part. The main elements of the site development were identified, with the center of the composition located in the Belaya Bashnya lighthouse area. As a result, the authors developed a conceptual design plan of the complex with an original master plan structure based on three lighthouse beams. These projected ground-level beams include standalone memorial facilities and culminate with the elements of a café, a viewing platform, and a pier on the Dvina Bay shore. All the beams also comprise well-maintained fields, small architectural forms, open-air exhibition spaces, and concert venues for literary events on the historical themes of the complex. Furthermore, the conceptual design plan provides for the construction of a 125-place hotel next to the lighthouse. The study demonstrates an unparalleled architectural and planning solution on the basis of innovative techniques using abstract spaces of the museum complex. These spaces represent sculptural forms, artistically reflecting historical events of the island.