Published on: 2026-10-16
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
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Parklet in the Sverdov settlement
On October 14, a wooden parklet—a mobile public space for relaxation and socializing—was opened on Nadezhda Square in the Sverdov settlement of the Leningrad region. The project was developed by students and teachers of the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering as part of a regional architecture competition. The production company “Beautiful City” helped manufacture and install the structure.
The grand opening of the parklet. On the left – Vadim Tulaev, in the center – Dang Van Hung
The parklet is a small landscaped area where residents can relax, meet friends, have coffee, or read a book. The architectural concept “Under the canopy of crowns” is based on the image of a forest where soft light filters through the tree crowns, and the natural surroundings create a sense of calm and security. The smooth lines of wooden elements and the system of arches form a cozy space that harmoniously complements Nadezhda Square. Warm shades of furniture support the natural aesthetics of the project, and free Wi-Fi allows the space to be used not only for relaxation but also for work.
Residents of the village get acquainted with the parklet
The project was developed by students of SPbGASU Dang Van Hung and Nina Maslikova under the leadership of the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Architecture for Career Guidance, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Oleg Fyodorov. Work on the parklet began with participation in a competition organized by the Committee of Urban Planning Policy of the Leningrad Region. The settlement administration submitted an application for participation, after which the municipality was selected to implement the project. Among the student projects presented, the one that won a prize was chosen.
“During the work process, we were especially interested in finding a balance between architectural expressiveness, flexibility of use, and space safety. We paid attention to the needs of both children and adults. Children need a space for exploration and active play, while adults need comfortable places to rest in the shade from where they can watch the children,” said Dang Van Hung.
According to the author, an important task was the development of a modular design with a hidden load-bearing frame. This allowed preserving the integral architectural perception of the wooden elements, while also providing for practical production, transportation, and installation. The parklet is conceived not only as an expressive urban environment object but also as a place that residents can use in everyday life.
Head of the administration of the settlement named after Sverdlov Vadim Tulaev noted that the competition allowed attracting students of SPbGASU to the improvement of public space and to apply their design solutions in practice. The administration intends to continue working on creating comfortable places for residents, including developing the Neva embankment area.
As Oleg Fyodorov noted, it is particularly valuable for architecture faculty students to see their own ideas brought to life. The format of small architectural forms (SAF) is well suited for such work, allowing one to go from a design concept to a finished object. He thanked the Committee for Urban Planning Policy of the Leningrad Region, the companies “Berkano” and “Beautiful City” for organizing the competition, as well as the settlement administration for supporting the project and providing the opportunity to implement it within the municipality.
A feature of the parklet “Under the Canopy” is the mobility of its structure. It can be moved depending on the landscaping tasks and the needs of the residents. According to Oleg Fyodorov, in the future the parklet may be relocated to the green recreational area on the embankment. To develop this territory, the authors have also designed additional small architectural forms in a unified style with the parklet: benches, flowerpots, a playground, and other landscaping elements. Their use will help create a cohesive appearance for the future public space.
The opening of the parklet became another result of the university’s collaboration with industry representatives: on October 1, the Vice-Rector for Continuing Education of SPbGASU Victoria Vinogradova and the CEO of the company “Beautiful City” Alexey Petrov signed a cooperation agreement between the university and manufacturers of outdoor equipment in the field of designing small architectural forms.
Alexey Petrov and Viktoria Vinogradova at the signing ceremony of the agreement
The partnership aims to combine educational and practical experience, support young professionals, and develop joint projects in the field of urban environment. For students, such collaboration opens up additional opportunities to get acquainted with real industry challenges and see how architectural solutions move from concept to implementation.
For the SPbGASU team, this is not the first project of such a format. Previously, university students developed mobile parklets for the city of Tosno and the village of Novoselye in the Leningrad region. The latter project was awarded the international “Golden Trezzini” prize. Such initiatives allow students to apply architectural knowledge in practice and contribute to the development of a comfortable urban environment.
For the creation of the architectural concept of the parklet “Under the Canopy of Crowns,” the administration of the Sverdlovsk urban settlement expressed gratitude to the leader of the student team, Oleg Fyodorov, and to the project authors – Nina Maslikova and Dang Van Hung.
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