Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Andrey Surovenkov and students at the forum
On October 29, second-year students from the Architectural Design Department at SPbGASU participated in a thematic session, "Dialogue with the Urban Environment," held as part of the BRICS International Municipal Forum in St. Petersburg. The event was organized by the Committee for External Relations and the Committee for Urban Development and Architecture of St. Petersburg. The session focused on harmonizing the city's architectural appearance, façade color schemes, architectural lighting, and preserving the historical identity of the urban environment.
Andrey Surovenkov, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, delivered a presentation titled "Color in the Historical Environment of St. Petersburg: Examples of Student Coursework from SPbGASU." He emphasized that color is not only an aesthetic category but also an important tool for preserving the identity of a place, the legibility of urban ensembles, and fostering a respectful dialogue between the past and the present.
"Color isn't just aesthetics; it's a language of respect for a historic city. It expresses the identity of a place and the legibility of urban ensembles. It's important to find a balance between preserving the city's material layer and enhancing contemporary life," noted Andrey Surovenkov.
In his speech, he outlined the key challenges facing the visual environment of central St. Petersburg: inconsistent façade colors, visual noise from signs and storefronts, fading paintwork, and unauthorized renovations. At the same time, according to the speaker, there is also a reverse risk—the "museumification" of the urban fabric, when the desire for preservation turns the historical environment into a static backdrop, losing its connection with modern life.
At SPbGASU, urban color issues are studied not only theoretically but also through student projects, which serve as a laboratory for analysis and experimentation. Future architects conduct historical and coloristic analyses, photographic surveys, and map dominant features and palettes of eras, developing design recommendations for neighborhoods in the historical center of the Northern Capital. This approach allows students to view their projects as pilot models for potential urban solutions.
The university's proposed principles include a "sensitive restoration" of the palette—a combination of neutral background façades with accent elements and careful coordination of modern inserts with the historical context. The tools include color passports for buildings and streets, pattern books for façades and storefronts, an open map of the city's "color codes," and guidelines for selecting durable paints and varnishes.
According to session participants, the implementation of such approaches contributes to a more cohesive streetscape, improved urban environment quality, predictable business solutions, and reduced conflicts between residents, authorities, and developers. SPbGASU proposed implementing joint pilot projects with the Committee for Urban Development and Architecture on selected streets of St. Petersburg, as well as holding a student design competition as a form of public dialogue within the BRICS forum.
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