Meganom

Meganom is an architecture, urban design, and research practice based on the exploration of forms to challenge existing typologies and inform new contexts. Founded in 1998, the practice focuses on cultural, urban, and self-initiated projects at any scale. Currently underway are an extension to the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, an adaptive transformation of the former ZIL car factory, residential skyscraper in New York City, Museum of Contemporary Art in Kaliningrad, and an urban redevelopment strategy for the Moscow River. The practice is multidisciplinary, including design, research, and educational activities. The studio is led by founder Yury Grigoyan and co-founder Ilya Kuleshov. Its name comes from a cliff in Crimea whose contemplation inspired the seminal project of the practice: Project Meganom, a glass house inserted into the rock face, defying the fierce winds of the cape. Meganom has been honoured in international competitions for the Russian Pavilion at the Triennale di Milano (third prize, 2019), the ArtMill Museum Complex in Doha, Qatar (shortlist, 2015), the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (first prize, 2014), Moscow River (first prize, 2014), AMO ZiL (first prize, 2012), the Perm Museum of Contemporary Art (first prize, 2009), and the House of Arts and Culture in Beirut, Lebanon (third prize, 2009). Since 2006, Meganom has led an intensive research studio at MARCHI Moscow Architectural Institute to experiment with new approaches and investigate concepts for the future. Meganom is also a publisher, and engages internationally in art projects and exhibition design.