Published on: 2026-06-16
Source: Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great –
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At the Engineering and Construction Institute of the Saint Petersburg State Polytechnic University of Peter the Great, the final defenses of projects for the international project marathon “Reconstruction of industrial facilities using spatial structures by V. G. Shukhov” took place. The event was jointly organized by the ISP SPbPU and Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (People’s Republic of China).
The project marathon became not only an international, but also an interdisciplinary event that brought together students from various fields of study for joint work. A total of 40 students from the Russian and Chinese sides participated in the work.
Symbolically, engineering and creativity serve as 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 of Russia and China. Successful joint work proves that in the creative process there are no language or geographical barriers,” noted Elena Ladik, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of ISI.
At the conclusion of intensive work, participants presented comprehensive concepts for the renovation of the industrial territory of the industrial park “Historical Steel Plant” in the city of Xi’an, where the constructive solutions of Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov were creatively reinterpreted. The development of projects was a direct result of an offsite session, during which students familiarized themselves with the object on-site and underwent a series of consultations with professors from the School of Architecture of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology.Scientific supervision was carried out by Associate Professors of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of ISI Elena Ladik and Alyona Sheremet, Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Industrial, Civil, and Road Construction of ISI Alexandra Zatsepina, and Assistant of VShPGiDS Nikolay Sokolov.
In the final presentation, Russian and Chinese students presented comprehensive solutions for organizing the architectural environment and adapting to the modern functions of unused industrial facilities. The developed concepts include the formation of open public spaces and various scenarios of functional use of buildings: from public-business zones and coworking spaces to exhibition galleries and multifunctional cultural and leisure zones with universal halls and public catering facilities.
Constructive solutions inspired by the ideas of Vladimir Shuvalov are used in the organization of summer pavilions and lightweight spatial coverings, as well as passageways between building blocks.
We are glad that the Engineering and Construction Institute acted as the organizer of such a large-scale interdisciplinary project. Students from various fields of study received a unique opportunity not only to work in an international team but also to propose real concepts for the development of an industrial territory. Similar international initiatives have strategic significance for the training of engineering personnel of the new generation.We are confident that the cooperation between St. Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great and Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology will continue to develop, and today’s projects will become a starting point for new joint research and developments,
At the conclusion of the solemn ceremony of project defenses, letters of appreciation were presented to all participants of the project marathon and team leaders.
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