Published on: 2026-04-23
Source: Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great –
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During the joint international design marathon “Reconstruction of Industrial Facilities Using Spatial Structures by V. G. Shukhov,” organized by the Engineering and Construction Institute of SPbPU and Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XUAT), students and teachers of ISI with an off-site session visited the city of Xi’an.
The delegation included students from the Higher School of Design and Architecture and the Higher School of Industrial, Civil and Road Construction of ISI under the guidance of associate professors Elena Ladik, Alena Sheremet, and senior lecturer Aleksandra Zatsepin.
The project marathon is aimed at the development of China-Russia cooperation in the field of architectural and urban planning research. At the marathon, participants as part of international teams developed a concept for the renovation of an industrial area in the city of Xi’an, including architectural and structural solutions for historically valuable industrial objects using designs by the outstanding Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov.
The ceremonial opening of the in-person part of the international project marathon took place at the Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. Deputy Dean, Professor Dang Yutan, addressed the participants. Elena Ladik spoke on behalf of the Engineering and Construction Institute. She thanked the Chinese colleagues for the warm welcome and expressed confidence in successful joint work.
The ISI delegation visited the unique Shaanxi Steel Industrial Heritage project. It demonstrates the integration of engineering heritage and modern principles of industrial design. Participants became acquainted both with the completed stages of reconstruction of the historic industrial area and with the facilities intended for future architectural research and reconstruction.
Students and teachers of ISI also visited the Chinese architectural bureau China Northwest Architectural Design and Research Institute (Northwest Institute of Architectural Design and Research of China). The bureau specializes in design, research, and development of projects in various fields: residential architecture, hotel architecture, cultural construction, public architecture, landscape design, and urban planning. The guests got acquainted with advanced architectural and engineering solutions applied in large infrastructure projects in China.During the visit, a working meeting took place where the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and sustainable development.
At the conclusion of the project marathon in the industrial park of design and creativity, the opening ceremony of the International Exhibition of joint projects “Engineering Mastery: the Poetry of Vladimir Shukhov’s Lightweight Structures” took place. The exhibition included models made by marathon participants, reflecting the creative interpretation of Vladimir Shukhov’s structural innovations.
At the opening ceremony, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Architecture of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Gao Kui, Dean Lei Zhengdun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Xi’an Huaqing Science and Education Industry Group, Wei Cizhinfu, and other honored guests were present.
The event was organized by Professor Chen Cizin, Associate Professor Li Tao, Deputy Director of the Department of Architecture Wu Guanyu, Associate Professor Wu Di, Lecturer An Taoran, Professor Li Yueyan, as well as representatives of the ISI SPbPU — Elena Ladik, Alyona Sheremet, and Aleksandra Zatsepin.
Architectural creativity is a tool for international communication. In particular, the study and reinterpretation of Vladimir Shukhov’s works contributes to strengthening international cooperation, acting as a connecting link between architectural and engineering schools in Russia and China.
,— noted Elena Ladik.
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