Uzbekistan is experiencing a remarkable cultural renaissance, combining the preservation of its historic architectural heritage with ambitious new construction projects that position the country as a growing hub for contemporary art and culture in Central Asia. The transformation is being led by the Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) under the Cabinet of Ministers, which has launched comprehensive initiatives spanning from heritage conservation to international cultural diplomacy.
The country's architectural legacy reflects centuries of cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road, with monumental ensembles in Samarkand and Bukhara serving as testaments to the region's rich history. During the Timurid era, these cities became centers of scientific and educational advancement, with architecture serving as both a vessel of identity and knowledge. The 20th century brought new challenges and opportunities, particularly following the devastating 1966 earthquake in Tashkent, which became a defining moment in Central Asian modernism as the city was rebuilt using Soviet urban planning principles combined with regional aesthetics.
The ACDF's flagship Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI project represents a groundbreaking effort to document and preserve the country's modernist architectural heritage. This comprehensive research initiative brings together local and international experts to evaluate and safeguard significant buildings from the Soviet era, with several structures now being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. The project has successfully led to the recognition of 21 modernist buildings as national heritage landmarks, demonstrating how preservation efforts can integrate seamlessly with contemporary cultural development.
Among the most significant new cultural projects is the National Museum of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. This marks the Pritzker Prize laureate's first major project in Central Asia and represents a bold architectural statement scheduled to open in 2028. The museum will replace a key modernist monument from 1974, doubling its current size to 20,000 square meters with 7,000 square meters of exhibition space. The project includes new archives capable of housing over 100,000 artifacts and will feature a 1.1-hectare public park, positioning itself as a cornerstone of Uzbekistan's cultural infrastructure.
The Centre for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent, designed by French firm Studio KO, exemplifies the country's approach to adaptive reuse and cultural renewal. The project transforms a historic 1912 industrial power plant, originally constructed by Wilhelm Heizelmann as a diesel facility for the city's first tram line, into a flexible contemporary arts venue. Preserving the industrial character while incorporating new architectural interventions, the design utilizes local materials and natural light to create adaptable spaces for various cultural programs. The center will open in March 2026 with the inaugural exhibition "Hikmah" (meaning "wisdom" in Uzbek), curated by Dr. Sara Raza and featuring works by both international and local artists.
In the historic city of Bukhara, Lina Ghotmeh Architecture is developing the Jadids' Legacy Museum, which will transform the former residence of Usmon Khodjaev, a key figure of the Jadid reform movement and the first president of the Bukhara People's Republic. Located near Lyabi-Hauz, Bukhara's historic civic square, the museum is scheduled to open in 2027 and will be dedicated to the legacy of Jadidism, a reformist movement that championed educational and social modernization across Central Asia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The project employs Ghotmeh's "Archaeology of the Future" approach, integrating historical context with forward-looking architectural design.
Uzbekistan's cultural ambitions extend far beyond its borders through strategic international partnerships and exhibitions. The country's national pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, designed by Atelier Brückner and realized by NUSSLI, reflects the Expo's theme of "Designing the Future Society for Our Lives." The 840-square-meter structure consists of modular, reusable wooden elements that will later be reassembled in Uzbekistan as an educational facility, demonstrating sustainable design principles and extending the pavilion's impact beyond the international event.
At the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2025, Uzbekistan presents "A Matter of Radiance," curated by GRACE studio and led by Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni. The exhibition explores the country's modernist architectural heritage through scientific innovation, focusing on the Sun Institute of Material Science, originally known as the Sun Heliocomplex. This monumental solar furnace, built in 1987 near Tashkent, represents one of only two such facilities worldwide and serves as both a technological landmark and a symbol of late Soviet modernist ambitions.
The inaugural Bukhara Biennial 2025, which opened on September 5, marks another significant milestone in Uzbekistan's cultural development. Commissioned by the ACDF and curated by Diana Campbell under the theme "Recipes for Broken Hearts," the biennial brings together over 200 participants from 39 countries, presenting 70 site-specific installations across Bukhara's UNESCO World Heritage-designated historic core. The event functions simultaneously as an exhibition and urban renewal project, integrating contemporary art within restored madrassas, caravanserais, and mosques.
These comprehensive initiatives demonstrate how Uzbekistan is developing a sophisticated multi-scale cultural strategy that honors its architectural legacy while actively engaging in global contemporary discourse. By positioning culture as a driver of sustainable development, international diplomacy, and cultural exchange, the country is using architecture not merely as a repository of historical memory but as a dynamic platform for envisioning and creating its future. This approach successfully bridges historic preservation with innovative design, creating an evolving cultural landscape that connects Tashkent, Bukhara, and other centers to the broader international community while maintaining their distinctive Central Asian identity.
