Category: Санкт-Петербургский государственный архитектурно-строительный университет

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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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Alexander Dmitriev (third from right) among the competition experts

On November 6, the qualifying round of the "Smart PPE 2025/26" National Competition was held at the SIZOD Business Communications Center. Participants included undergraduate and graduate students from technical universities across the country, who presented their developments to improve the efficiency and safety of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Alexander Dmitriev, Director of the Smart Labor Polygon and Assistant Professor at the Department of Technosphere Safety at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, served as a member of the event's expert committee. He noted that the competition serves an important educational and outreach function: "The main goal of the competition is to foster a culture of safe work practices and instill skills for the informed use of personal protective equipment. Students propose innovative ideas that can later develop into full-fledged scientific research." He noted that students of various levels, from first-year students to graduate students, participated in the competition. This allowed them to see a wide range of approaches to solving pressing technosphere safety issues. "For me, the key evaluation criteria were the practicality and economic feasibility of the proposals. It is important that the development can be implemented and applied in practice," the expert noted.

The project by Anastasia Masyukova and Natalia Chernyakova, students from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Department of Technosphere Safety, "PPE with Color-Coded Hazardous Gas Indication," received special recognition. The work received high marks and advanced to the final round of the competition.

"The project's main advantages are its innovation and relevance. Toxic gases are a factor present in many industries. A development that allows for visual signaling of excess concentrations could significantly improve occupational safety," commented Alexander Dmitriev.

He also discussed the activities of the "Smart Work" training center, which implements modern approaches to training and demonstrates safe technologies: "Our training center is an innovative platform that showcases various training methods and installations demonstrating correct and incorrect work practices. The use of modern PPE significantly simplifies work and makes it safer. Therefore, we are interested in developing new solutions similar to those presented at the competition."

The final round of the "Smart PPE 2025/26" competition is scheduled for February 2026. According to Alexander Dmitriev, SPbGASU will provide students with all necessary support to participate in the final round.

At the end of the discussion, the expert offered some advice to the future participants: "I want students to focus on the practical applicability of their ideas. Courage and creativity are great, but it's important to understand how the project can be implemented and who will be its consumer. I hope our students refine their projects, taking the recommendations into account, and represent the university with dignity in the finals."

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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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On November 5, as part of the Zodchestvo-2025 festival, Andrey Surovenkov, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU), participated in the thematic section "Education and Mentoring in Architecture: Sharing Experience and New Horizons."

In his speech, he discussed the current development trends of the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture, where the traditions of the St. Petersburg school of architecture are combined with digital technologies and practice-oriented education. According to Andrey Viktorovich, the faculty's main goal is to maintain the continuity of generations while simultaneously responding to the challenges of the 21st century. Today, architects are becoming integrators of solutions, uniting people, the city, technology, and culture.

The presentation placed particular emphasis on mentoring as a key element of the educational environment. The faculty is actively developing student workshops, where faculty, practicing architects, and real-life clients—municipalities, cultural institutions, and businesses—collaborate on academic assignments. This format allows students to gain experience with responsibility, dialogue with clients, and interaction with the urban community.

Examples of successfully implemented projects prepared in student workshops are: Central Children's Library in Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Region and the improvement of the area around the Young Spectator's Theater in St. Petersburg. They demonstrate how the university contributes to real positive changes in the urban environment.

Andrey Surovenkov presented the faculty as an ecosystem where education, practice, and the city form a unified development structure. Students, faculty, alumni, and the professional community unite to work on projects, research, and urban initiatives.

The faculty's collaboration with SPbGASU's educational centers for project-based learning and digital competencies, where students' digital skills are actively developed and project-based activities are promoted, was particularly noted. This approach supports the university's strategy for training personnel for the construction industry in the context of digital transformation: from TIM classes and electives to complex graduation projects with real clients.

Thus, the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture is becoming a platform where the traditions of the St. Petersburg architectural school are combined with modern technologies and the city's demands, and each project is a step toward developing a new generation of professionals.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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Speech by Andrey Surovenkov (right)

On November 5, a thematic session, "Artificial Intelligence in Urban Development: Opportunities and Challenges," was held as part of the Zodchestvo-2025 festival. Andrey Surovenkov, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, represented SPbGASU.

In his speech, he presented a program for integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the educational process of the Faculty of Architecture. According to Alexander Vladimirovich, AI is becoming an important tool for creative exploration, analysis, and visualization—from concept to final rendering. SPbGASU students are actively mastering modern neural network systems. The results obtained are combined with traditional design methods and manual refinement. This approach accelerates the design process, improves the quality of presentation, and develops the critical thinking of future architects, the head of the Faculty of Architecture noted.

Experience with AI is being integrated into course design and project activities at the university. As Andrey Surovenkov emphasized, SPbGASU is developing a new "architectural literacy" that includes the ability to interact with intelligent systems.

Near-term prospects include the creation of an "Architecture and AI" laboratory, joint courses with ITMO University's Institute of Design and Urban Studies, and the introduction of a new "AI and Architectural Thinking" module into the master's program.

The idea of integrating artificial intelligence into educational processes resonates with the overall digital transformation program being implemented at SPbGASU. The university is consistently developing a system of project-based learning and developing digital competencies in graduates, which is reflected in the activities of educational centers for project-based learning and digital competencies.

"AI won't replace an architect. But it will quickly replace those who are afraid to use it," Andrey Surovenkov concluded his speech.

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From left to right: Deputy Director of the Project-Based Learning Educational Center at SPbGASU Natalia Zaitseva, Inna Sukhanova, and Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at SPbGASU Victoria Vinogradova

Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) participated in a construction conference organized by Delovoy Peterburg. During the event, Inna Sukhanova, Director of the SPbGASU Project-Based Learning Educational Center, presented a report on the development of digital competencies in the construction industry.

In her speech, she emphasized the importance of transitioning to an educational model where students not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also engage in real-world project tasks using digital tools such as information modeling (IIM), data analytics, and artificial intelligence. She noted that SPbGASU has created a "continuous learning ecosystem," which includes interaction with business partners during the training process, the introduction of digital labs, and the development of specialized educational formats to enhance the skills of industry specialists.

Inna Sukhanova on project-based learning at SPbGASU

"Naturally, all our events are held jointly with our industrial partners. We take this opportunity, of course, to encourage businesses not to watch personnel training from the sidelines, but to actively participate in this process with us," added Inna Sukhanova.

At the conclusion of the conference, at the awards ceremony for the best in the "Construction Company Rating 2025," SPbGASU was awarded the prize "For the Integration of Digital Tools and Technologies into Training Programs in Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Utilities." This award recognized the university's contribution to the digital transformation of the construction industry and the development of practice-oriented education that bridges the interests of science, business, and future professionals.

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Irina Ivashkina, a first-year Master's student in Architectural Design, is working on a project to modernize the Central Children's Library in Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Oblast, and will be completed in 2026.

Acting Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Andrey Surovenkov spoke about this at the "Arkhitekton" forum during the section "Working with Young Architects – A Step into the Future." The discussion focused on the development of architectural education, student engagement in the professional community, and the integration of academic projects into real-world urban initiatives.

In his speech, Andrey Surovenkov shared the university's experience of working with partners, with whom the university is implementing a number of initiatives aimed at supporting young architects.

In particular, one of the key joint projects is the annual student competition "Interior Spaces of Libraries," which combines educational and professional practice. The competition allows SPbGASU students to develop their competencies in public interior design, learn to work with real clients, and consider the spatial context of future buildings. The competition's partners include the Leningrad Region Committee for Culture and Tourism, the Golden Trezzini International Architectural and Design Award, and the Leningrad Regional Universal Scientific Library (LRUL).

"An important part of architectural education today is hands-on practice and interaction with the professional community. When students work with real-life problems, with the support of experts and partners, they don't just learn—they become participants in shaping the environment of the future," noted Andrey Surovenkov. "Initiatives like these not only help students develop an understanding of the full cycle of architectural design—from concept to implementation—but also strengthen the university's social role as a platform for dialogue between education, culture, and the professional community."

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Representatives of SPbGASU participate in the discussion: Mikhail Vilensky (first from left), Yulia Yankovskaya (second from left), Svetlana Levoshko (fourth from left)

On November 6, as part of the XXXIII International Architectural Festival "Zodchestvo-2025" in Moscow, a discussion entitled "Architectural Science 'On the Edge' – A View from the Oldest School of Architecture" was held at the initiative of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU). This year's festival motto, "On the Edge," reflected the theme of finding common ground between science and practice in contemporary architecture and urban planning.

The event, organized by our university, brought together academics, practitioners, and representatives of government and public institutions. The event was moderated by Yulia Yankovskaya, Doctor of Architecture, Professor, and Head of the Department of Urban Planning at SPbGASU, and Mikhail Vilensky, Associate Professor of the Department of Urban Planning at SPbGASU and PhD in Architecture.

The discussion covered a wide range of current topics: from ecology and demography to digitalization and the preservation of architectural heritage.

Boris Revich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Head of the Laboratory for Forecasting Environmental Quality and Population Health at the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized the importance of hygienic comfort and the need to restore the integrated approach to urban design characteristic of the Soviet architectural school in his report "Ecology and the City. Demographic Processes in Urban Space."

In his presentation, "Master Plan: Theory and Practice," Daniil Veretennikov, Director of the VEB Assets: New Solutions Unit at the State Development Corporation VEB.RF, highlighted the current challenges and prospects of master planning, emphasizing the importance of balancing economic goals with the quality of the urban environment.

Ekaterina Tribelskaya, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts and Head of the Department of Architecture at the V. I. Surikov Moscow State Architectural Institute, presented her experience of "synthesizing the arts" in creating comfortable urban spaces in her paper "Architecture – Science and/or Art." She expressed concern that artistic aspects are gradually disappearing from architectural practice.

Svetlana Levoshko, PhD in Architecture and Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at SPbGASU, raised the issue of preserving architectural and urban heritage. She noted the contribution of LISI/SPbGASU to the development of scientific approaches to heritage protection and the need for comprehensive solutions in this area.

Oksana Peslyak, PhD in Architecture and Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, spoke about the digital challenges facing the architectural profession. She emphasized that the implementation of digital models should be based on scientific architectural typology and not replace the research process.

In closing the discussion, Yulia Yankovskaya identified the key problems of the current stage in the development of architectural and urban planning science: the loss of continuity and the substitution of long-term scientific guidelines for short-term economic decisions.

In his presentation, "Participatory Design in Architecture and Urban Planning: Theory and Practice," Mikhail Vilensky addressed the issue of resident participation in public discussions of territorial development projects, noting that actual citizen engagement remains extremely low.

The discussion became a significant event in the business program of the Zodchestvo-2025 festival. Participants concluded that the combination of scientific approach and practical experience will preserve and develop the best traditions of the Russian architectural school.

Particular attention was paid to the SPbGASU initiative to develop architectural science, including through the creation of a new scientific specialty 5.6.6 "History of Science and Technology (Architecture)", aimed at preserving the continuity and study of architectural heritage.

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Attention international students! We invite you to participate in a sociological survey. The study is being conducted at the initiative of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of the International Forum of Foreign Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities. The goal of the survey is to promote comfortable living and studying conditions for foreign citizens in Russia.

You can take the survey until November 14.

Join the survey: your answers will help make your life and studies in Russia more comfortable, productive, and interesting!

Link to the survey

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Speech by Andrey Surovenkov (center)

In late October and early November, the second Architekton festival took place in St. Petersburg. It brought together architects, urbanists, designers, artists, developers, students, and anyone interested in architecture. Organized by the Union of Architects of St. Petersburg, the festival's partners included the Government of St. Petersburg, the Committee for Urban Development and Architecture, the Committee for Culture of St. Petersburg, the Leningrad Region Urban Development Policy Committee, the ETALON Group, Setl Group, DOM.RF, and the professional development leadership program Architects.rf.

On November 2, as part of the "Arkhitekton" forum, Andrey Surovenkov, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, participated in a roundtable discussion titled "What and How to Teach Those Who Want to Develop Cities?" Participants discussed how changes in technology and the urban environment are influencing educational approaches and the professional training of future architects and urban planners.

Andrey Surovenkov discussed our university's experience in integrating instructional design and professional practice, using a student-led study of modern libraries as an example. The results of this work were also presented at the Architecton exhibition, as part of the exhibit "From Academic Project to Real-World Object: The SPbGASU Experience."

The study focused on library spaces as modern community centers that foster communication, knowledge exchange, and cultural integration. The university's partners in the study were the Leningrad Regional Universal Scientific Library and the organizing committee of the Golden Trezzini International Architecture and Design Award.

After exploring a number of innovative library spaces, including international ones, and analyzing their spatial organization, students prepared course projects dedicated to solutions for modern libraries.

"It's important for us that educational design extends beyond the classroom and becomes part of a real professional environment. This is the only way to develop competencies across the entire architectural cycle—from concept to implementation," noted Andrey Surovenkov.

According to Andrey Surovenkov, our university adheres to an educational approach that synthesizes academic knowledge, competitive practice, and real-world design experience during the course of study. This approach demonstrates that the university is not only an educational but also a research platform, where student work becomes part of a professional dialogue on urban development. To further develop this approach, SPbGASU plans to strengthen its interaction with the professional community and the city's cultural institutions.

Thus, the design concept for the modernization of the Central Children's Library in Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Region, developed by students of SPbGASU, was selected in a competition for the best interior design projects for public libraries in the region, organized by the Leningrad Regional Universal Scientific Library, SPbGASU, and the organizing committee of the Golden Trezzini International Architectural and Design Award. The student project will be implemented in 2026 as part of the federal project "Family Values and Cultural Infrastructure" of the national project "Family," with the support of the Governor and Government of the Leningrad Region and the Sosnovy Bor City Administration.

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Representatives of SPbGASU participated in the 1st Annual Scientific Conference "Economic Readings in Memory of Alexander Evseevich Karlik," dedicated to the memory of the outstanding scholar, educator, and organizer of the scientific school, Doctor of Economics, Professor A.E. Karlik. The conference took place on November 7 at St. Petersburg State University of Economics.

Participants at the event analyzed key trends and assessed the risks and opportunities facing the industrial sector in the context of slowing global and national economic growth, technological transformations, and structural changes.

Our university was represented by Professor Veronika Asaul, Head of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Utilities, and departmental graduate students Elza Zanemunchik and Isa Magerramov. Veronika Asaul presented a paper titled "Industrial Construction: Problems and Prospects." The study analyzes the current challenges and prospects for industrial construction development amid the transition to innovative technologies and sustainable practices. The paper provides a systematic examination of key factors influencing the efficiency of construction processes, including economic, technical, and environmental aspects.

Postgraduate students from the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Utilities represented Veronika Asaul's research school at the youth section. Isa Magerramov presented a paper titled "Macroeconomic Challenges and Their Impact on Investment Activity in Industrial Construction," and Elza Zanemunchik presented a paper titled "Commercial Real Estate Management as Part of an Anti-Crisis Strategy in an Industrial Organization."

Researchers from St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) noted that, in the current environment, macroeconomic instability significantly impacts investment activity in industrial construction, requiring the development of adaptive strategies and increased flexibility of investment portfolios. The analysis demonstrated the need to integrate macroeconomic factors into investment planning and management processes to minimize risks and optimize capital investments. Commercial real estate management, in turn, is viewed as an effective crisis management tool, contributing to the sustainability and financial stability of industrial enterprises. The report emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to asset management, including assessing market trends, optimizing space utilization, and implementing modern technologies to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness.

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Graduates of the Department of Transport Systems and Road and Bridge Construction at the Faculty of Automobile and Highway Engineering at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU), specializing in "Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures. Construction of Bridges and Tunnels," have won the St. Petersburg Government Prize for completing their final qualifying theses on assignment from the executive authorities.

The works were presented at the "Students for the City" exhibition, which was held as part of the annual St. Petersburg Congress "Professional Education, Science, and Innovation in the 21st Century" at the ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Center. The congress is held jointly with the St. Petersburg International Science and Education Fair under the auspices of the Committee for Science and Higher Education of the St. Petersburg Government.

The winners of the competition from SPbGASU were:

Margarita Ivanova with the project "Capital repair project of the Officers' Bridge in Sestroretsk." Head – Ph.D., Associate Professor Evgeniy Kornylyev;

Tatyana Rebenchuk with her final thesis, "Project of a Standard Bridge Made of Innovative Materials." Supervised by Senior Lecturer Dmitry Yaroshutin.

The award ceremony was conducted by Irina Ganus, First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Science and Higher Education, and Igor Maksimtsev, member of the Presidium of the Council of Rectors of Universities of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region and Rector of the St. Petersburg State University of Economics.

All awarded laureates received prizes, diplomas, and collections of scientific articles published based on the results of research conducted during the final qualifying work.

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