On 30 March, the results of the "Best Design for the Leningrad Region Library" competition were announced at the Inter-Settlement Library of the Vyborg District of the Leningrad Region. The competition was organized by the Leningrad Regional Universal Scientific Library in conjunction with the organizing committee of the Golden Trezzini International Architectural Design Award and the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU).
The competition was attended by SPbGASU third-year students. In December 2025, they visited the Elizavetinskaya, Pribytkovskaya, and Vyritsa libraries: the Efremov children's and adult libraries as well as the Vartemyagi library. During their visit, the students learned about the buildings' architectural features, their history, traditions, and primary audiences, after which they presented their concepts for renovating these institutions to the expert community.
Each library was developed between four and seven design projects by individual participants and student teams. The solutions presented go beyond traditional renovation and reconstruction: they aim to transform the libraries into modern, multifunctional cultural centers that integrate various forms of art, culture, and technology.
In addition to developing interior design solutions, the participants presented ideas for building exteriors and landscaping adjacent areas. Furthermore, the students voluntarily developed logos and branding elements for the libraries.
The projects placed particular emphasis on creating an interactive environment for children. The concepts feature play areas, multimedia spaces, and original characters and design solutions to foster an interest in reading in young visitors.
The projects were evaluated by an expert jury consisting of specialists in architecture, design, librarianship, culture, and tourism. Vladimir Tsoi, Vice Governor of the Leningrad Region for the Development and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, chaired the jury. Following the review of the projects, the concepts for the Elizavetinskaya and Pribytkovskaya libraries received special mention. The jury highlighted their high potential for participation in competitions for presidential grants and subsequent implementation.
Maria Titova, Deputy Head of the Administration for the Development of Culture, Tourism, and Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Chair of the Gatchina Municipal District Committee for Culture and Tourism, thanked the participants for their work and noted the high level of the projects presented. She noted that the district administration plans to implement one of the projects, which involves modernizing the library in the village of Elizavetino.
Following the competition, five projects received jury sympathy awards, another five became winners, and two projects were recognized in both nominations.
The student design concept competition has become an important step toward modernizing libraries in the Leningrad Region. Thanks to the creativity and professionalism of SPbGASU students, libraries are being transformed into modern, comfortable, and inspiring spaces that bring together different generations and cultural leisure formats.
The results of the competition will be published on the official websites of the organizers.
It was previously announced that project by Irina Ivashkina, a first-year Master's student in Architectural Design, to modernize the Central Children's Library in Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Oblast, would be implemented in 2026. Read more about the project.
