Siberia Takes the Lead in Contemporary Architecture

Siberia Takes the Lead in Contemporary Architecture
Based on the plans of Erick van Egeraat's Studio, construction has begun at the site of the shopping- and entertainment center in Siberia.

The town of Surgut might well earn a position on the international "architectural map", since the new complex displays the unique qualities hallmarking the renowned studio that is so familiar to people in Budapest from Egeraat's ING headquarters.

The eight-story center will house shops, dance-studios, restaurants, sport-facilities and an underground night-club, and will offer round-the-clock entertainment for its visitors.

It does matter what clothes this main attraction of the town will wear.

Egeraat's studio was sensible enough not to draw a boring logistic center-like box, instead they developed a concept that capitalizes on the natural qualities of the territory, namely the pitch-black night.

The shopping center plays with the contrast of light and dark, the slot-like grooves on the fa�ade let light pour inwards at daylight, and lets artificial lighting glow out at nighttime.

The artificial light cutting into the darkness of the Siberian night creates a dramatic contrast.