Radio tower of V. G. Shukhov in the energy supply system of the Russian capital

Abstract

Today, when solving the problems of energy supply of buildings, it is important to turn to past experience, to evaluate the effectiveness of solutions that pertain to the period of the formation of an industrial Russian city of the XX century. In this regard, it is important to preserve those objects of industrial architecture that were intended, among other things, for solving problems of energy supply. Even now the architectural legacy of V.G. Shukhov, an outstanding Russian engineer and inventor, triggers discussions and debates. In particular, an impassionate debate arose over the best procedures for the preservation of his architectural works. In the meantime, while debatorslock their horns, the architectural works, designed by this phenomenal engineer and architect, keep decaying. The mission of this article is to assess the impact of the structures, designed by V.G. Shukhov, produced on the conceptual design of an industrial city, and to understand what particular losses the decay of his projects may involve. Another mission, pursued by the author, is to demonstrate the scale of V.G.Shukhov’s work performed in the capacity of an engineer and an inventor. The subject of this research is limited to the study of the restoration effort applied to the Shukhov radio and television tower, also known as the Shabolovka tower.