Published on: 2026-09-30
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
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Sofiya Lapina, Ilya Mochalov, Elizaveta Devyatykh, and Ksenia Isakova at the award ceremony
A third-year student at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Elizaveta Devyatykh became the winner of the annual all-Russian competition for the Ilya Mochalov scholarship. Elizaveta is studying in the field of “Landscape Architecture.” The awards ceremony took place on the green roof of the architectural and landscape company “Ilya Mochalov & Partners” in Moscow.
During the 2026/2027 academic year, the student will receive a scholarship of 30,000 rubles per month. The diplomas of finalists were also awarded to a student of SPbGASU. Ksenia Isakova and a student at Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering Sofiya Lapina.
In 2026, the competition took place for the third time. The organizers received 122 applications from students from various cities in Russia, 55 of which were admitted for further consideration. The evaluation took into account the quality of projects, engagement with the context of the territory, depth of professional thinking, motivation, and readiness to develop in the profession.
Elizaveta’s projects are united by a focus on urban areas whose potential often goes unnoticed. In her works, the parking lot in front of the Kirov Palace of Culture in St. Petersburg is transformed into a public space, the embankment on Krestovsky Island becomes a route with viewpoints, and the ravine in the historic center of Kirov turns into part of the city’s green framework.
One of the projects is dedicated to creating an industrial park-museum on the site of a former warehouse area. Its concept is based on the natural restoration of the territory and phytoremediation – cleaning the soil using plants. The history of the place and ecological processes become part of the future public space.
“Elizaveta’s projects reflect a mature approach to the territory. She knows how to see value where others only notice a problem: in a ravine, a former parking lot, a warehouse area, or a transit space. Moreover, her solutions are not limited to external landscaping. Behind each of them lies a study of the place, its history, natural processes, and the needs of people,” noted the founder and CEO of the company ‘Ilya Mochalov and Partners’. Ilya Mochalov.
“Winning the competition is very significant for me. I perceive it as confirmation that I am moving in the right professional direction for myself. This has become a great motivation for me to continue developing in this field,” said Elizaveta Devyatykh.
Elizaveta also noted that the competition provided an opportunity to get acquainted with other participants and industry professionals. For students planning to take part in similar competitions, she advises carefully studying the requirements and works of past winners, as well as learning to present their projects.
“It is important not only to be able to do a good project but also to convincingly tell about it. The ability to present yourself and your work is an important professional competence that such competitions help to develop,” said the winner.
The works of SPbGASU student Ksenia Isakova, who also became a finalist in the project, focus on the role of landscape in preserving memory, supporting people, and restoring the connection with nature. Among them are the concept “Echoes of Epochs,” the improvement of the station square in Peterhof, and projects for spaces for elderly and less mobile people.
“The competition provides a lot for career advancement, provides internship opportunities,” noted Ksenia.
The Ilya Mochalov Scholarship was established to support senior students studying architecture, landscape architecture, and architectural environment design. The competition is held with the support of the TM “Altrain” company and the Moscow Association of Landscape Architects (ROO MOLA).
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