Sergei Tchoban: HM of the Unfinished Colosseum

+ Sergei Tchoban 🇩🇪

Honourable Mention of the Unfinished Colosseum

Portfolio: https://www.non-a.com/members/sergeitchoban/

1) Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Sergei Tchoban is an internationally active German architect. He is managing director of TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten. Tchoban studied architecture at the Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg. He has lived in Germany since 1991 and has held German citizenship since 1995. After starting at NPS Nietz – Prasch – Sigl in Hamburg in 1992, Tchoban became managing partner, later director, of the architectural office now known as TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten in 1995. In 2009, the Tchoban Foundation was established, which is based in the Museum for Architectural Drawing built for this purpose in 2013. Numerous residential and office buildings, hotels, cultural buildings and revitalisation projects have been created according to his designs and plans, including EDGE Suedkreuz Berlin, Germany’s largest office ensemble in sustainable timber hybrid construction, the Berlin Apple store Rosenthaler Strasse, as well as the revitalisation of the Ernst-Reuter-Platz 6 office building, the Jewish Campus Berlin and numerous buildings as part of the master planning for Berlin’s Osthafen.

In 2020, Tchoban was president of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators ASAI. His architectural drawings have been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries worldwide and are in the collections of international museums, archives as well as in private collections. In 2018, Sergei Tchoban was awarded the European Prize for Architecture by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design for his lifework.

2) What inspired you for the competition?

The Colosseum is not only a very remarkable building and characterises the skyline of Rome. For me, it is the centre and heart of the ancient part of the city, at the junction between the Fori Imperiali and the Roman Forum. I wanted to show that the Colosseum is not a dead ruin for visitors, but designed it as a vibrant centre for visiting Rome and sightseeing.

3) Can you describe any particular challenges you faced during the design process and how
you overcame them?

The most important part of the Colosseum during the time it was in operation was the underground section. All the gladiators, athletes, animals etc. entered the arena from there and the stage constructions were coordinated from there. It was the main connection level. It was important to me to connect this important level imaginatively with all the underground levels in the surrounding area in order to make this part of the Colosseum a real, central point of contact for visitors.

4) How do you think your educational background or professional experiences influenced your winning design?

For me, drawing buildings is the most important level of education. My first visit, my first impression and my drawing of the Colosseum was in 1992, and I still draw parts of ancient Rome every time I return to this part of the city.

5) What advice would you give to students or young professionals looking to excel in architecture competitions?

I think such competitions are always an important exercise for your own imagination and an opportunity to activate your own creativity and develop your own visions.

6) What are your future aspirations in the field of architecture?

The same as in the past. I approach, I aspire architecture through my hand drawings. During the drawing process, I start to think faster and imagine things more quickly.

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