Moscow Polytechnic Museum building prepared for commissioning after restoration

Main construction and restoration work at Moscow’s Polytechnic Museum building on Novaya Square has been completed. Exhibition areas are now being fitted out as the building is prepared for commissioning, Russia’s Construction Ministry said.

The main building has been closed for reconstruction since 2013. Japanese architect Junya Ishigami’s design was selected in an international competition in 2011, and work in the building began in January 2015. Exhibits were moved to other venues for the duration.

The project envisaged increasing the museum’s area from 32 to 48 thousand square metres and installing glass dome roofs over its northern and southern courtyards.

Work was initially due to finish in 2018. Technical difficulties pushed the deadline to 2020 and then 2021. Project-client functions were transferred to the public construction company Unified Customer in 2023, after which completion was expected in 2025.

The Polytechnic Museum was founded in 1872 on the initiative of the Society of Devotees of Natural Science, Anthropology and Ethnography.