The development of a Russian business and innovation campus promotes innovation in five sectors: energy, information technology, telecommunications, biomedical sciences and nuclear technology.
In collaboration with Royal Haskoning, Mecanoo designed an impressive, self-sufficient campus for the Skolkovo Innovation Centre. Not only an environment for business, the urban campus in Skolkovo is also ideal for living and leisure thanks to its location in a park just beyond the centre of Moscow.
The layout of the master plan was inspired by the All-Russian Exhibition Centre (VDNKh) in Moscow with its central, monumental axis surrounded by a ring of iconic structures. A green, car-free promenade meanders through a landscape of squares, parks and courtyards to stimulate interaction between the various institutions.
An automatic tram-like ‘people mover’ connects the most important functions on the campus and the ring-shaped boulevard is only accessible for vehicles. The modular set-up of the master plan enables future extensions and flexible integration of different types of buildings.
A revolutionary sustainability concept was developed for Skolkovo Innovation Centre in collaboration with Michael Braungart (EPEA, CradletoCradle®). Measures such as solar and wind energy, a geothermal heat pump, waste recycling and the use of biomass led to a positive carbon footprint.
The master plan also stimulates a sustainable lifestyle where residents can walk or bicycle to work and travel with shared electric cars, buses and ‘people movers’. In addition, there are numerous facilities such as sports centres and schools for the 30,000 residents to enjoy.