The radio tower in Shabolovka Street is the world known and one of the most significant masterpieces of architecture of the beginning of the XX century. The creator of the tower, Vladimir Grigorievich Shukhov, was a leading inventor of the contemporary building structures. Shukhov’s achievements may be compared only with the achievements of Gustave Eiffel, Robert Maillart or Eugene Freyssinet.

Unfortunately, Moscow does not do that. The Shukhov tower is no more the attractive center of the city’s architecture. The tower itself and its neighborhood are in an awful condition. It is absolutely necessary that the international experts should do its examination in order to reveal damages caused by the age and operation. This incredible, filigree lattice structure required reconstruction and restoration long ago, so that it could appeared again in all its unique brilliance.

Many years ago Fyodor Vladimirovich Shukhov, the grandson of V.G.Shukhov, with every reason proposed to remove all later changes with the tower and to re-establish the original structure. Thus, the Shukhov tower could have added attractiveness to the city. The tourists and local inhabitants could have had an opportunity to admire it closely. Perhaps, there will be supported the idea to create near the tower a museum of the Russian engineering and construction art.

And something more: all the discussions regarding new buildings and annexes on the tower itself (elevators, observation platforms, restaurants and whatever) must finally be stopped!

Shukhov’s masterpiece can not be changed and distorted.

Directeur de l’Ecole nationale supérieure d’architecture de Paris La Villette (France)

Président du Centre d’information et de liaison sur l’archéologie industrielle (CILAC)