VORONIKHIN Andrei Nikiforovich
(1759-1814)

An architect, the representative of classicism. Till 1785 was the serf of the count A.S.Stroganov. Studied in Moscow (since 1777) and in St.-Petersburg (since 1779) at V.I.Bazhenov and M.F.Kazakov. In 1786-1790 studied architecture, mechanics, math and natural sciences in Switzerland and France. An academician of the Academy of Arts (1797), was the lecturer since 1800 and professor since 1802. His earliest architectural works are characterized by the masterly used forms, nobility and elegant details (the decoration of the Stroganov's Palace interiors, 1793; the Stroganov's Dacha (week-end cottage) on Chernaya Rechka (Black River), 1795-1796, is not preserved today). Then Voronikhin designed the new monumental and regular type of the public building, completing the large city area  - the Kazan Cathedral, that started the construction of Nevsky avenue ensembles and the Mining Institute with the monumental colonnade, facing the Neva river. Voronikhin participated in the construction of the park-and palace ensembles in Peterhof (Petrodvorets today), Pavlovsk and Strelna. All the constructions of Voronikhin, built with the use of the advanced construction technologies, are characterized with the art expression, clarity of composition, plain walls contrast with the colonnades, sculpture and the large vibrant ornament. The activities of Voronikhin in the field of the decorative art were very important, because he designed the furniture, the chandeliers and lamps, the stone and porcelain vases, matching with the architecture. Voronikhin lived at Kamennoostrovsky (former Kirovsky) avenue, 62а in the Dacha (week-end cottage), built in 1809-1811 according his project from the scaffolding, used during the construction of the Kazan Cathedral (was taken apart in 1980). Buried in Necropolis of the 18 century. The small public garden (the former Kazan) in front of the Western facade of the Kazan Cathedral bears his name.