Fosters becomes latest practice to pull out of Russia

福斯特律师事务所(Foster & Partners)已证实停止了在俄罗斯的所有项目。

It joins a string of others including David Chipperfield Architects, John McAslan & Partners and LDA Design in announcing it will no longer work in the country which has been waging a brutal war on Ukraine for the last 12 days.

Fosters, which had two projects in the country which were at an early stage, issued a brief statement late on Friday saying: “We deplore the Russian invasion of Ukraine and as a result we have stopped work on all our projects in Russia.”

David Chipperfield announced a similar move in a post on its website and social media stating: “Given the invasion of Ukraine, and with the full understanding and support of our clients, David Chipperfield Architects has decided to suspend all work in Russia.

“We condemn the actions of Putin and the Russian government and stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people. As a practice we believe in dialogue, openness and engagement; values that are directly opposed to the ongoing war. We call for an immediate end to this human tragedy and our thoughts are with the innocent victims of this unjustified action.”

Its Turner Contemporary in Margate was illuminated with the colours of the Ukrainian flag last week.

Aidan Potter, a partner at McAslans, said: “We have worked in Russia over many years and have strong bonds with our Russian clients, collaborators and the local culture but, like so many around the world, we’re deeply alarmed by the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and have decided to step back from any further work in Russia.”

Zaha Hadid Architects has placed its two live Russian projects on hold. It was also working in Ukraine, on a project to build three metro stations in the eastern city of Dnipro. They had been due to open in 2025. ZHA did not respond to requests for information.

ZHA’s Dnipro station designs

Landscape-led practice LDA Design, which has worked in Russia with the Strelka Institute architecture and media school and on projects to improve Soviet-era housing estates, said: “The invasion of Ukraine means that everything has changed, and our work in Russia must come to a halt for the foreseeable future. We are not taking up prospects and we are stopping our involvement in all projects there.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine who are calling on the rest of the world to support them. We sympathise with and are supporting our LDA Design Russian colleagues in our UK studios who continue to produce incredible work in difficult circumstances.

“We call for peace and long for light to win out over darkness.”

Herzog & de Meuron said it had also suspended work on Russian projects “with the understanding of our clients”.

It said: ”The invasion of Ukraine and the violent actions of Putin and the Russian government are against every value we hold as an international, collaborative practice… We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as well as the citizens of Russia who reject this violent takeover. As a company and community of over 40 different nationalities, our concern lies with both our Ukrainian and Russian colleagues whom we support through this unprecedented crisis.”

大理石拱丘的建筑师MVRDV表示，他们已立即停止参与俄罗斯的项目，直到另行通知。

In a statement it added: “As a practice, we are affected twofold. 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. They are brave and they are experiencing incredible hardship. 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.”

Otherpracticesandcompetition organisershave already spoken to Building Design.

由斯特灵奖得主于2019年创立的气候危机组织“建筑师宣言”发表了一份声明，表达了对乌克兰人民的声援，并谴责“那些参与对国家、人民、文化艺术品和自然环境发动战争的人”。

It condemned the racist treatment of some refugees and urged all its signatory members to cease work on any major projects in Russia “until such time as the country is willing to respect international law”.

>> Also read:Russian architects banned by competitions organisers

>> Also read:Grimshaw chairman predicts projects will stop amid escalating Ukraine crisis

It added: “Furthermore, we pledge our willingness to help defuse one of the biggest threats to global peace since the Second World War. Putin’s war machine is very substantially funded by sales of gas to other countries. We therefore call on our respective governments to implement an emergency level of mobilisation in shifting our economies away from fossil fuels and towards a safer, renewably powered future. We as an industry will assist in implementing these measures and as Architects Declare we are committed to shaping a positive future for all.”

与此同时，英国皇家建筑师协会(RIBA)主席兼AHMM主管西蒙·奥尔福德(Simon Allford)表示:“我们的想法与所有受俄罗斯入侵乌克兰影响的人一样，这暴露了冲突对社区的可怕影响，并让建筑在建设弹性、协作和包容的社会方面发挥了作用。”

“We are examining the implications for architects working from or seeking work within impacted areas. In the first instance, we recommend those directly affected keep up to date with the latest UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice, and professionals consult the UK government’s business support helpline to ensure they are aware of the potential risks and challenges of working in this environment.”