Reach The Skies
The Russian company, GORPROJECT (Urban Planning Institute of Residential and Public Buildings), was established ten years ago, and has since become the leader in the field of general design of residential and public buildings. With this unprecedented for Russia experience of developing project documentation for high-rise buildings, GORPROJECT is involved in a variety of unique projects in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities.
The design stage for buildings and other structures is a difficult and very demanding part of the construction process. Mistakes made at this stage can result in higher material costs and in unanticipated emergencies. Indeed, the word “project” comes from the Latin “projectus”, means “thrown forward.” So the architects and architectural engineers are literally at the front-lines in the creation of a building or any other facility. On them depends how the works of the builders will eventually look like, as well as how comfortable and safe they will turn out to be.
The formation of the Urban Planning Institute occurred after the 1998 crisis, at a time when the situation was stabilizing, and when the country began its economic growth, resulting in an overall significant rise in construction. This period is often described as the building boom, when houses in the capital were growing like mushrooms.
As well as the traditional types of building in Moscow, there was also the construction of some very unique facilities, such as the highrise buildings of MIBC “Moscow- City”. Skyscrapers in Moscow? For the people not familiar with Moscow construction, the very notion seemed somewhat fantastic, but the boldest dreams were turned into reality.
These very complex structures required a special approach to the design and the preparation of initial construction permits. Russian project-engineering companies had no experience in the construction of such facilities, without specific building codes to guide them, and even until, each unique project is developed with its own individual Project Specific Design Code (PSDC). Besides, in Russia there were no local construction companies with experience erecting any buildings higher than 100 meters, and therefore at the forefront of the “skyscraperbuilders” were major European, primarily Turkish, companies. The designers had to learn “online” – studying international experience, mastering sophisticated new design techniques, the nuances of aerodynamic and field tests, and many more.
Of equal importance was absorbing information about new construction technologies and materials, modern engineering systems, without which it is impossible to design a modern high-rise building. This has required market research, constant monitoring of the market, and the tracking of all innovations.
The group of like-minded individuals united by Sergey Lakhman, Director General of GORPROJECT, managed to create a strong team bringing together persons highly skilled and enthusiastic in their profession and in design in general. They became a very close-knit team, working together every day solving complex technical problems. The result was not long in coming - the buildings build on the plans from this Institute’ projects are now the most famous buildings in Russia. These include several skyscrapers in MIBC “Moscow-City”, and the “Lakhta Center” (the headquarters of Gazprom Oil & Gas Company in St. Petersburg).
There was a period in the life of the organization, when it seemed that all efforts were in vain. Admittedly, during the world financial crisis almost everyone had those feelings. GORPROJECT has succeeded with a narrow margin, but despite the reduction in volume of works it managed to save its team. And that speaks for itself. The Institute managed to maintain its own niche in the design market, and perform works at a high professional level and results within a clear time frame.
The situation today is stable, the business portfolio is drawn up, but this is not a reason to rest on one’s laurels. The Institute constantly develops and improves - providing updated equipment and software for employees, who regularly enhance their skills. There are new customers while the existing relationships are maintained, including those with foreign partners.
Constant motion - that is the credo of this team, which in a short time has become a respected authority and a successful member of the Russian construction market. Acknowledging the high professionalism of the GORPROJECT team is a certificate for compliance with GOST R ISO 9001 - 2008 (ISO 9001:2008). GORPROEKT was first certified in 2004 and since then has confirmed its status every year.
The Institute’s strategy is based on the principles of sustainable development and is aimed at protecting the environment and the efficient use of resources. Looking ahead, the architects and engineers are studying advanced green technologies and actively using them in their projects. Modern highperformance engineering systems allow the accumulation and use of solar and geothermal energy to heat and cool the premises in a natural way, to purify water for reuse, etc.
Today these issues are the priority in the Institute’s work, and this is not surprising, since, after all, it is the high-rise buildings which concentrate in themselves the latest technologies and design methods. These grandiose facilities should not only be symbols of the country’s power, but also a feature of its innovative development. To be at the forefront is not easy, but the well-organized business strategy of GORPROJECT allows its teams to achieve their goals, even if it is sometimes necessary to reach the skies.
On December 13, 2012, Sergei Sobyanin, Mayor of Moscow, awarded a commendation to the personnel of CJSC “Urban Planning Institute of Residential and Public Buildings,” on the tenth anniversary of its founding, for its contribution to the development of construction in Moscow.
TEXT by Elena Golubeva