GES-2

Industrial territories of the last century are gaining new life thanks to artists and creative people. The GES-2 House of Culture on Bolotnaya Embankment is a striking example of how a former power station has been transformed into a modern art center with workshops, a cinema, exhibition halls, and a unique atmosphere of free creativity.

History of the power station on Bolotnaya Embankment

GES-2 was built in 1907 to supply electricity to Moscow’s tram network. It became the first power station in Russia equipped with three steam turbines, and by 1909 it was fully powering the entire Moscow tram system.

Key development stages

• The power station operated for nearly 100 years — from 1907 to 2006
• In 1899, the first tram line in the city was connected to Moscow’s first hydroelectric station
• After the 1917 revolution, the station came under Bolshevik control
• By 1940, the name GES-2 became officially established
• In 2006, the station was decommissioned due to physical wear and tear
• In 2015, the building was acquired by philanthropist Leonid Michelson, co-founder of the V-A-C Foundation

Architectural transformation

The reconstruction of the historic building was led by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano — recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize and author of the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

Main principles of the reconstruction

• Maximum use of natural light through panoramic windows
• Glass roof made of lightweight metal structures
• Restoration of historic elements: clock towers, stucco moldings, wrought-iron railings
• Removal of unnecessary extensions to restore lightness to the building’s appearance
• Blue pipes 62 meters tall that blend with the sky on clear days

Territory improvement

The architect created a cohesive ensemble that includes:

• A birch grove with 620 trees behind the building
• Revamped Bolotnaya Embankment with gentle steps leading down to the water
• Patriarch’s Bridge
• Viewing platform with a view of the complex
• Urs Fischer’s 12-meter-tall sculpture “Big Clay No. 4”

During reconstruction, 19th-century warehouses from 1860 were discovered, originally belonging to the vodka magnate Ivan Smirnov. These brick premises were transformed into the “Svody” Center for Artistic Production.

Contemporary concept of the House of Culture

GES-2 is conceived not as a traditional museum, but as a multifunctional cultural space modeled after Soviet-era houses of culture, where every visitor becomes a participant in the artistic environment.

What GES-2 offers

1. Exhibition spaces for contemporary art and performances
2. Artist residencies and creative workshops
3. A cinema with 290 seats featuring world premieres and arthouse films
4. A library with books on art and culture
5. Educational programs and master classes
6. Restaurants and cafés with signature cuisine

Creative workshops for everyone

The House of Culture operates four workshops where anyone can engage in creative activities completely free of charge:

• Woodworking workshop
• Ceramics workshop with pottery wheels
• Textile workshop with sewing equipment
• Paper workshop for graphic works

On weekends, invited experts help visitors master various techniques and tools. Twice a month, artist-led master classes are held where participants can create a finished work of art.

How to visit GES-2

Important information

• Admission is free, but pre-registration on the official website is required
• Address: Bolotnaya Embankment, 15
• Opening hours: daily from 11:00 to 22:00
• Nearest metro stations: “Kropotkinskaya”, “Polyanka”, “Tretyakovskaya”
• About 15 minutes’ walk from the metro

Additional opportunities

• Film screenings in original language with subtitles
• Concerts, stand-up comedy, and theater performances
• Guided tours and interactive quests around the territory
• Bookshop featuring publications from the world’s leading university presses
• Bakery and several dining options

Interesting facts about GES-2

• The building’s façade was designed by the same architect who worked on the Tretyakov Gallery — Vasily Bashkirov
• Solar panels covering approximately 5,000 square meters are installed on the roof, saving 10% of electricity
• The building is constructed in the neo-Gothic style and resembles a European train station or Catholic cathedral
• One of the first projects was Ragnar Kjartansson’s 100-day performance “Santa Barbara”
• The complex includes not only the main building but also 19th-century historic warehouses

Conclusion

The GES-2 House of Culture is a unique place where industrial heritage harmoniously merges with contemporary art. Here you can explore avant-garde projects, try your hand at various creative techniques, watch arthouse cinema, or simply enjoy the architecture and atmosphere of freedom. This space proves that old industrial buildings can be given a second life and become centers of cultural attraction.