Published on: 2026-09-30
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Associate Professor of the Department of History and Theory of Architecture at SPbGASU, Candidate of Architecture Maria Granstrøm conducted a study dedicated to the creation of innovative technological scientific centers (INTS) in the biopharmaceutical industry based on historical industrial and fortification sites.
Today, former industrial buildings and other cultural heritage sites are increasingly being given a new lease on life. However, in Russia since the 1990s, the practice of repurposing them has mainly been associated with creating leisure spaces, community centers, and office clusters. The possibilities of housing modern scientific and technological productions in historic buildings remain less explored. Moreover, a methodology for the contemporary use of fortification structures for such purposes has yet to be developed either in Russia or abroad.
Maria Granstrem’s research explores the possibility of combining two objectives – the development of high-tech industry and the preservation of historical architectural heritage. This approach aligns with the innovative development direction of Saint Petersburg, which envisions the city as a leading scientific and technological metropolis of the 21st century.
The work summarized the experience of creating and developing ITSCs focused on research and development activities in the biopharmaceutical field. It also involved the systematization of historical industrial and fortification sites in St. Petersburg, potentially suitable for hosting innovative science and technology centers.
Based on the obtained data, a theoretical model for the formation of an INTs (Innovative Scientific and Technological Center) has been developed on the basis of historical and fortification monuments that require adaptation for modern use. Special attention was paid to the internal organization of such objects: the principles of architectural solutions for modular spaces were defined, which can be integrated into cultural heritage buildings taking into account the specifics of biopharmaceutical technologies.
A separate area of research became the adaptation of industrial monuments in St. Petersburg for modern environmentally friendly productions. The proposed solutions allow considering historical buildings not only as preservation objects but also as a potential foundation for the development of modern high-tech industry. The developed approaches can be applied not only in the Northern capital but also when working with similar objects in other regions of Russia.
The scientific novelty of the study lies in the development of criteria for assessing the potential feasibility of locating the biopharmaceutical industry’s INTsC in historical industrial and fortification sites.
The practical significance of the work is related to the possibility of implementing a strategy for interaction among specialized biotechnological research and technology centers. It involves combining applied developments with academic and fundamental science, and supporting the entire innovation life cycle – from the emergence of the idea to technology transfer into production.
At the same time, the integration of the INTs into the structure of a cultural heritage site can become a tool for its revitalization. Adapting a historic building to new functional tasks allows simultaneously preserving its architectural value and finding a relevant modern use for it.
The research was carried out as part of a grant for conducting scientific research by the academic staff of SPbGASU in 2026.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.