Adaptive Revitalization of a Soviet-Era Cinema into a Contemporary Social Hub 2

Adaptive Revitalization of a Soviet-Era Cinema into a Contemporary Social Hub

Winner of the national restoration competition, the renovation of Druzhba Cinema exemplifies a careful adaptation of Soviet modernist architecture to contemporary public needs.

Urban and sociological studies revealed that the primary audience of the future center would be students and young people. Accordingly, the building was reimagined as a multifunctional social hub: offering coworking spaces, rentable creative studios, and educational rooms focused on media, technology, and youth development.

Traditional cinema halls were no longer relevant — one was removed, while the other was transformed into a flexible venue for lectures, exhibitions, and public events. To preserve the cinema function in a new form, the design introduces an open-air headphone cinema on the adjacent plaza, ensuring sound isolation and respect for surrounding residents.

The façade has been respectfully restored, and the interiors are now modular and adaptive. A new side entrance allows separate flows of event guests and daily users, ensuring the main lobby remains an active and welcoming public zone.

The project blends architectural preservation with spatial innovation and a clear social message — transforming Druzhba into a vibrant cultural anchor for the next generation.