Headquarters of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova – heritage building of national value

Abstract

The current headquarters of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) was built in the years 1951–1955 according to the project of the renowned architect Valentin Mednec/Mednic and Aleksandr Vedenkin, being a remarkable example of "Stalinist" architecture, characterized by monumentalism, sober aesthetic appearance but also exuberance of decorative elements, perfectly fitted into the urban landscape, including as a starting point for the city's main artery. The present article is a synthesis of archival data that brings to the attention of researchers in the fields of history, architecture, and art the new or less known aspects about the ASM headquarters, as well as arguments in favor of its patrimonial value. The General Assembly of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova from March 22, 2023, unanimously supported the proposal of the general scientific secretary of ASM, dr. hab. Liliana Condraticova, to include this emblematic building from the center of Chisinau into the Register of monuments of the Republic of Moldova protected by the state, approved by the Decision of the Parliament no. 1531 of 1993 (with subsequent additions). There was drawn up a study regarding the history and architectural value of the building, accompanied by unpublished archival images and plans of the building, as well as recent photos, the respective file being submitted for examination to the Ministry of Culture. With the inclusion of the ASM building in the Register of Monuments, the monument classification activities will continue and it will be possible to initiate the inclusion of the entire Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt boulevard from Chisinau in the Register of Monuments of the Republic of Moldova thanks to the location of several heritage buildings along the main artery of the city.