The north wing of the Musin-Pushkin estate in Moscow: historical, architectural and field studies

Introduction. The authors study the cultural heritage site that somehow shapes the architectural appearance of the Musin-Pushkin estate, located at the intersection of Dobroslobodskaya and Spartakovskaya streets in Moscow (now this group of buildings accommodates the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering); it is the north wing of the architectural ensemble in the northern corner of the estate along the frontage line of Spartakovskaya street. This building is a cultural heritage site of federal significance; it’s interiors and facades have undergone numerous renovations and reorganizations. The main purpose of this work is to trace the history of this wing by analyzing it in the context of surrounding buildings, identify the initial appearance of this monument, track the periods of its construction, and, as a result, propose its graphic reconstruction, that will encompass not only its earliest period, but also the stage when its architectural form was changed to something new but not less interesting. Materials and methods. The method of comprehensive research was employed to study the monument. This method encompasses a search for and analysis of sources and literature, field studies, including probing, pit boring and taking measurements, as well as the chemical analysis of building and finishing materials. The comparative method was used to match this construction facility against other stylistically and typologically similar buildings. Results. As a result of the studies, the monument’s construction periodization was traced, the dates of its present-day appearance were identified, initial elements of the building were identified and studied, its further changes were traced to make a graphic reconstruction of the north wing since its very first days. Conclusions. The proposed reconstruction of the monument is a result of its comprehensive study needed to reconstruct the initial appearance of the building, including its missing parts. This project will allow tracing the history of the architectural appearance of a most interesting manor estate in Moscow.