Parklet in the Sverdlov settlement
On 14 October, a wooden parklet—a mobile public space designed for relaxation and socializing—was unveiled on Nadezhda Square in the settlement of Sverdlova, Leningrad Region. The project was developed by students and faculty from the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering as part of a regional architectural competition. The manufacturing and installation of the structure were carried out with the assistance of the production company "Krasivy Gorod" ("Beautiful City").
Grand opening of the parklet. On the left is Vadim Tulaev; in the center is Dang Van Hung.
A parklet is a small, landscaped area where residents can relax, meet with friends, enjoy a coffee, or read a book. The architectural concept, titled "Under the Canopy of Crowns," is inspired by a forest—a setting where soft light filters through the treetops, and the natural surroundings evoke a sense of tranquility and shelteredness. The fluid lines of the wooden elements and a series of arches create an inviting space that complements the character of Nadezhda Square. The warm tones of the furnishings reinforce the project’s natural aesthetic, while the availability of free Wi-Fi makes the area suitable for both leisure and work.
Residents of the settlement are getting acquainted with a parklet
The project was developed by SPbGASU students Dang Van Hung and Nina Maslikova under the guidance of Oleg Fedorov, Associate Professor at the Department of Architectural Design and Deputy Dean for Career Guidance Counceling at the Faculty of Architecture. Work on the parklet began with participation in a competition organized by the Committee for Urban Planning Policy of the Leningrad Region. The local settlement administration submitted an application, leading to the municipality’s selection for the project’s implementation. Among the student entries, the project that secured a top position was chosen for development.
"During the design process, we were particularly interested in striking a balance between architectural expressiveness, functional flexibility, and the safety of the space. We took into account the needs of both children and adults: children require room for exploration and active play, while adults need comfortable, shaded areas where they can relax and keep an eye on the children," explained Dang Van Hung.
According to the author, the development of a modular structure with a hidden load-bearing frame was also an important task. It made it possible to preserve the integral architectural perception of wooden elements, while providing for the possibility of practical production, transportation and installation. The parklet is conceived not only as an expressive object of the urban environment, but also as a place that residents can use in everyday life.
Vadim Tulaev, Head of the administration of the Sverdlov settlement, noted that the competition made it possible to involve SPbGASU students in the improvement of public spaces and to put their design solutions into practice. The administration intends to continue its work on creating comfortable areas for residents, including the development of the Neva River embankment.
As Oleg Fedorov noted, it is especially valuable for architecture students to see their own ideas brought to life. The format of small-scale architectural forms (street minor structures) is well-suited for this type of work, allowing students to follow the entire process from initial design concept to a completed project. He expressed his gratitude to the Leningrad Region Committee for Urban Planning Policy, as well as the companies Berkano and Krasivy Gorod, for organizing the competition; he also thanked the local settlement administration for supporting the project and providing the opportunity to implement it within the municipality.
A key feature of the "Under the Canopy of Crowns" parklet is its mobile design. It can be relocated based on urban improvement goals and the needs of local residents.
According to Oleg Fedorov, the parklet could eventually be relocated to a green recreational area along the embankment. To develop this space, the designers have also created plans for additional small-scale architectural forms—such as benches, planters, a playground, and other site furnishings—that share a consistent aesthetic with the parklet. Incorporating these elements will help establish a cohesive look for the future public space.
The opening of the parklet marks another outcome of the university’s collaboration with industry representatives: on 1 October, Viktoria Vinogradova, SPbGASU Vice-Rector for Continuing Education, and Aleksey Petrov, General Director of the company "Krasivy Gorod", signed a cooperation agreement between the university and the manufacturer of street furnishings, focusing on the design of small architectural forms.
Aleksey Petrov and Viktoria Vinogradova at the agreement signing ceremony
The partnership aims to combine educational and practical expertise, support young professionals, and develop joint projects focused on the urban environment. For students, this collaboration creates additional opportunities to engage with real-world industry challenges and observe how architectural solutions transition from concept to implementation.
This is not the first project of this kind for the SPbGASU team. Previously, the university’s students developed mobile parklets for the town of Tosno and the settlement of Novoselye in the Leningrad Region. The latter project was honored with the international Golden Trezzini Award. Such initiatives allow students to apply their architectural knowledge in practice and contribute to the development of a comfortable urban environment.
For the creation of the architectural concept for the "Under the Canopy of Crowns" parklet, the administration of the Sverdlovsk urban settlement presented a certificate of appreciation to the leader of the student team, Oleg Fedorov, and to the project’s authors, Nina Maslikova and Dang Van Hung.
