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MVRDV withdraws from Russia projects "in solidarity" with Ukraine
Dutch studio MVRDV has halted work on all five of its projects in Russia, including its Red7 tower in Moscow, following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
"As architects and urbanists, we work in many countries to make a difference and we believe wholeheartedly in international dialogue and in peace," said the studio in a statement.
"For this reason, we have immediately stopped our involvement in projects in Russia until further notice."
"We have stopped our Russian projects"
The Rotterdam-based studio explained that the invasion, which began on 24 February, has impacted its projects in both Ukraine and Russia.
While its two Ukrainian projects – an urban masterplan and a private home in Kyiv – have been halted directly due to the invasion, it made the decision to withdraw from all five of its current projects in Russia.
"As a practice, we are affected twofold," said the studio. "Our projects in Ukraine have sadly been put on hold by the atrocities."
"Right after the start of the invasion, we began contacting our Ukrainian friends and partners in support and we try to remain in touch."
[ 
Read:
"Every Ukrainian soul is fighting now" say architects and designers as Russia invades
](https://www.dezeen.com/2022/02/25/ukraine-russia-invasion-reactions/)
"We have stopped our Russian projects, even though this means we have to stop collaborating with people we have known for years, and who are dedicated to bringing a more collaborative international outlook to Russia," it added.
Along with the Red7 tower (pictured top), the studio was working on another two projects in Moscow, an urban masterplan in St Petersburg and the renovation of a large complex in the southern city of Krasnodar.
"We stand in solidarity"
In response to the invasion, numerous architects, designers and institutions have shown solidarity with Ukraine including fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who held his latest catwalk show in silence.
MVRDV joined these organisations by condemning the attack by Russia on its neighbour.
[ 
Read:
"Those who do not condemn Russia's actions support them" says National Union of Architects of Ukraine
](https://www.dezeen.com/2022/03/01/national-union-architects-ukraine-invasion/)
"Our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with the people of Ukraine," it said.
"We are thinking about our friends, partners, and clients that are in danger at this moment. We support our colleagues who are worried about their country and their loved ones," it continued.
"We stand in solidarity with all the people who are defying and protesting against this war, and we strongly condemn the violence."
In response to the invasion, the National Union of Architects of Ukraine called upon the International Union of Architects to expel the Union of Architects of Russia from the organisation.
"Those who do not condemn Russia's actions support them," said National Union of Architects of Ukraine president Oleksandr Chyzhevsky in a statement. "We are convinced that the UIA must decide on Russia's membership."
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MVRDV to install neon-pink staircase and viewing platform on Het Nieuwe Instituut
Dutch architecture office MVRDV has unveiled plans to install a giant neon-pink staircase across the exterior of Rotterdam's Het Nieuwe Instituut that will lead to a viewing platform in the same colour on its roof.
Titled Het Podium, the temporary installation will extend from the ground level plaza in front of the Het Nieuwe Instituut, adjacent to the MVRDV-designed art storage building Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, and rise along the side of the cultural centre.
Het Podium was designed by MVRDV
The staircase will be supported by a scaffolding system beneath and lead to the roof of the Het Nieuwe Instituut, which will be topped with a neon pink podium-cum-viewing platform that offers visitors panoramic views of Rotterdam.
The installation will form part of the Rotterdam Architecture Month, providing the festival with a central location that will be free for members of the public to experience while also hosting a number of architecture events.
[ 
Read:
MVRDV's Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen opens, giving the public access to 151,000 artworks
](https://www.dezeen.com/2021/11/08/depot-boijmans-van-beuningen-rotterdam-mvrdv/)
Het Podium will extend the height of the building, which is roughly 20 metres tall. The steps will provide visitors with a scenic, bright-pink guided walk to the rooftop. A lift from within the Het Nieuwe Instituut will also allow visitors step-free access to the rooftop podium.
The installation will be the successor to MVRDV's 2016 staircase installation The Stairs. This installation similarly lead visitors to the roof of an office block in Rotterdam's city centre and was built as part of the city’s 75th anniversary of its post-war reconstruction.
It will be installed as part of Rotterdam Architecture Month
Het Podium is set to open on 1 June 2022 in time for Rotterdam Architecture Month and will be open to the public until July.
The rooftop podium will be host to a number of lectures, talks, films and exhibitions.
In 2021, MVRDV opened the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, directly opposite the Het Nieuwe Instituut, which provided the public access to 151,000 artworks.
Also in 2021, Het Nieuwe Instituut appointed Aric Chen as general and artitstic director.
Rotterdam Architecture Month is taking place in Rotterdam from 1 to 30 June. SeeDezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
The post MVRDV to install neon-pink staircase and viewing platform on Het Nieuwe Instituut appeared first on Dezeen.
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This week MVRDV defended its role in Marble Arch Mound fiasco
This week on Dezeen we launched Dezeen Awards 2022 while Dutch architecture studio MVRDV told its side of the Marble Arch Mound fiasco.
MVRDV defended its design for the Marble Arch Mound and placed the blame for the debacle on Westminster City Council's "nonchalance and laxity".
"We have rarely seen such a loveless execution of our designs," said the Dutch studio, adding that its design fee was 0.8 per cent of the total project cost.
After completion in July 2021, the attraction was widely criticised for the quality of the planting with Westminster City Council forced to temporarily close it and issue visitor refunds.
Dezeen Awards 2022 is open for entries
This week also saw the launch of the fifth edition of Dezeen Awards, a celebration of the world's best architecture, interiors and design projects and studios.
Entrants who submit projects before 30 March can take advantage of discounted early entry fees.
Putting beehives in cities is "very dangerous" to other pollinators says bee expert Paula Carnell
Continuing our coverage of urban bees, honeybee specialist Paula Carnell argued that architects should stop putting beehives in urban spaces and instead create wild areas to encourage biodiversity.
"What's been happening in cities is people have been bringing in beehives and it has starved out the native bees," she said in an interview with Dezeen.
Rolls-Royce updates the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine to be "more streamlined and graceful than ever"
In design news, British car brand Rolls-Royce revealed a new design for its bonnet figurine, as part of its effort to make its electric vehicles more aerodynamic.
The latest Spirit of Ecstasy figurine that comes on the hood of every Rolls-Royce car has been shortened and slimmed with the model now cast in a lower position.
Six architecturally significant ski jumps from around the world
As the 2022 Winter Olympics enters its second week, we rounded up six ski jumps designed by architects.
Included in the list are structures designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Julien De Smedt and two new ski jumps that are being used at this year's games.
This gabled home by Butler Armsden Architects sits on a bluff in northern California
Popular projects on Dezeen this week included a Victorian house renovation, a white house in Los Angeles and a gabled home in northern California.
Our lookbooks this week focused on retro eateries and homes with mirrors that give the illusion of more space.
This week on Dezeen is our regular roundup of the week's top news stories. Subscribe to our newsletters to be sure you don't miss anything.
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