Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Kiy Island
As part of the real-world project work that SPbGASU students undertake during their studies, projects are being developed for various parts of Russia. For example, work began in February on a commission from the administration of the Onega Municipal District in the Arkhangelsk Region.
As part of the large-scale initiative "Concept for the Reconstruction of the Historic Center and the Development of Tourist Infrastructure in the City of Onega," a new architectural expedition was held for first-year master's students in the Department of Architectural Design, led by Associate Professor Alexandra Eremeeva. According to Alexandra, "the research topic is highly relevant, addressing the key challenges of contemporary urban development policy—the search for effective mechanisms for the revival of small historical settlements in northern Russia."
The expedition was organized at the request of the Onega city administration as part of the university's "Project-Based Learning" program, which initially gave it a practice-oriented focus. Significant support for the project came from Mikhail Aleksandrovich Mamoshin, a native of Onega, a graduate of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, an academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, the Russian Academy of Architects and Construction Sciences, and the International Academy of Architecture in Moscow, and an Honored Architect of Russia.
Preparations for the expedition began in mid-2025 and included not only theoretical research but also productive business contacts. With the assistance of Mikhail Mamoshin, a working meeting was held in St. Petersburg with Vera Ponomareva, head of the Onega Municipal District of the Arkhangelsk Region, which allowed for the alignment of academic goals with the municipality's real-world needs. As a result, the students arrived on site with preliminary design concepts, rather than blank slates.
As Alexandra Eremeeva notes, "We are combining the development of the historic center and tourism in the Onega District. The town of Onega has deep roots in Pomor culture, and our goal is to use this heritage to improve the quality of life for residents and develop the district's tourism appeal. The two-year project will conclude with the defense of theses in June 2027, and the current expedition is a crucial step in gathering feedback from the local community, whose opinions are crucial for future work."
The expedition's program was very comprehensive. The district administration prepared a long itinerary that allowed for a deep appreciation of the local character. A key part of the expedition was the in-kind survey of the design sites. The cultural program included visits to the Onega Historical and Memorial Museum, Kiy Island, and the village of Vorzogory, home to a unique wooden architectural complex. These impressions and the collected materials will form the basis for further work.
Expedition participants: Master's students Valeria Trepykhalina, Angelina Savitskaya, Arina Tikhonova, Alexander Grekov, Sofya Galkina, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Alexandra Eremeeva, Head of the Onega District Vera Ponomareva, Master's student Svetlana Bryukhanova, employees of Mikhail Mamoshin's workshop Evgeniya Saenko and Alexey Matveenko (postgraduate student at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering)
The expedition included Alexey Matveenko, a graduate student in the Department of Architectural Design, whose research focuses on the architectural features of cultural centers. This provided the trip with additional research depth.
"The project's practical significance for the town of Onega is undeniable. The results of the two-year project will be shared with the administration for potential practical use. Furthermore, a series of scientific publications and presentations at relevant conferences are planned. Thus, the Onega-2050 project serves as a shining example of the successful symbiosis of education, science, and the real-world goals set by the municipality, confirming that student design can be an effective tool for the socioeconomic development of small towns," notes Alexandra Eremeeva.
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