The complicated economic situation the world found itself in during the second decade of the 21st century asks for urgent revision of social and economic relations in the modern society. Ac-tivity focus shall be shifted towards searching for flexible and fast-adaptable to changing condi-tions solutions, reasonable use of natural and labor resources. Staying optimistic and creating pos-itive communication is an important factor. Architecture and architectural education have good opportunities to act to this effect. Since the mid-19th century the role of leaders in the society became decisive. Architecture formed those opportunities in response supported by the authorities and the society. A good example to this effect is construction of the Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture in New York. In 1859 Peter Cooper creating a new educational establishment - a center of public and political life of the country – industrialist and philanthropist started construction of a new college in the center of New York. The building stood aside for its gigantic Great Hall which could assembly up to 900 persons. It hosted lectures and social events. Among its outstanding participants were US prominent politicians, public figures and writers – Abraham Lincoln, Frederic Douglas, Henry James and Mark Twain. The Great Hall became instrumental in implementing ideas of democratic leadership; students acquired skills of public debates. Thanks to its “public character” the Cooper Union remains a most prestige college of arts in the world. The Cooper Union graduates - architects Daniel Libeskind, Toshiko Mori, Elizabeth Diller (Diller Scofidio + Renfro) carry on a tradition of public activity. Their mission in the modern world is to develop communication with society participating in the global dialogue.

1. Development of communicative
properties of nature and
landscape complexes
Topchiy Irina, Ph.D. (architecture)
Moscow architectural institute (State Academy)
Pre-study courses department director
e-mail: top@markhi.ru

2. The Great Hall of The Cooper Union (NY, USA)
2015
Since the mid-19th century the role of leaders in the society became decisive.
Architecture formed those opportunities in response supported by the authorities and
the society.

3. The Great Hall in 1865
In 1859 Peter Cooper creat a new educational establishment like a center of public and
political life of the country. The building stood aside for its gigantic Great Hall which
could assembly up to 900 persons.

4. Lincoln's Cooper Union Address in 1860
It hosted lectures and social events. Among its outstanding participants were US prominent
politicians, public figures and writers – Abraham Lincoln, Frederic Douglas, Henry James
and Mark Twain.

5. In 2008 President Obama, then a senator,
gave a speech in The Great Hall
Thanks to its “public character” the Cooper Union remains a most prestige college of arts in
the world [1]. The Cooper Union graduates - architects Daniel Libeskind, Toshiko Mori,
Elizabeth Diller (Diller Scofidio + Renfro) carry on a tradition of public activity