D.A. Shepelev’s house as part of the main house of the Musin-Pushkin estate based on the materials of historical and architectural research

Abstract

Introduction. The article deals with one of the objects of cultural heritage, forming the architectural appearance of the Musin-Pushkin estate at the intersection of Dobroslobodskaya and Spartakovskaya Streets in Moscow (now the building complex of the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering) — the main house of the ensemble. As an architectural monument of federal significance, the structure has undergone numerous transformations to date, affecting both the faсades and the interiors of the building. The monument has a rich construction history and includes buildings of different epochs and architectural styles. The main purpose of the research is to trace the history of the formation of the main building, to determine a period of its construction, to “distinguish” the original building volume in the structure and to reconstruct it. Materials and methods. The study of the monument is based on the method of complex source study, including search and analysis of sources and literature, field studies, accompanied by soundings, trenching and measuring works, as well as chemical and technological research of construction and finishing materials. Using a comparative method, the object was studied in a range of stylistically and typologically similar buildings. Results. The structural periodization of the monument has been revealed, its existing volumes have been dated, the original core of the building has been determined, and its stylistic elements have been studied; thus, a graphic reconstruction of the monument at the initial period of its construction history has been elaborated. Conclusions. The proposed reconstruction is the result of comprehensive research, which helped present the initial appearance of the building that became the basis for the present main house of the Musin-Pushkin estate, although this reconstruction is not intended to recreate it. It only marks the initial appearance of the monument and reveals one of the pages in the history of the estate complex so important for Moscow.