On the Appropriateness and Moderation of Architectural Innovation

Abstract

1. Bondarenko, RAACS, Moscow

The article considers the issue of creative innovations in traditional, mainly medieval Russian architecture. Various degrees ofliberties allowed in regard to the reproduction of architectural models are identified. The attention is drawn to the rare cases of the emergence of new models surpassing the previous ones. The radical changes of architectural models and styles that have been introduced with the arrival of modern, and then contemporary, times when the desire for complete creative emancipation and permanent innovation prevailed are defined. The author comes to the conclusion that the current difficulties of creating and comprehending the innovative pieces of architecture can be associated with the breakdown of once-coherent system of cultural values and guidelines by deliberatelowering of the overalllevel of evaluation of the architectural and artistic achievements and spreading of excessive subjectivism and demoralizing creative permissiveness under the name of equality and freedom.