In September, Moscow hosted the fifth, milestone exhibition "PRO-Restoration: Import Substitution in Restoration Materials and Technologies." At the event, the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering presented an interactive display dedicated to architectural heritage and the training of specialists for the restoration industry.
Over the course of four days, teachers and students from the SPbGASU Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage introduced visitors to the restoration profession and the opportunities offered by specialized education in the field. According to the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage, the exhibition attracted approximately 30,000 visitors. Participants included restoration companies, material manufacturers, design firms, museums, and educational institutions.
For the interactive zone, the university prepared a series of workshops and activities: "Architectural Puzzles," "Defect Detective," "Iconographic Research and Color Scheme Selection," a "Restoration Memory Game," and a "Restoration Terminology and Elements Platformer" video game. These hands-on activities allowed visitors to explore architectural elements and restoration nuances, the study of historical imagery, and professional terminology—all presented in a way that was accessible to non-experts.
Our teachers and students engaged with visitors of all ages—from schoolchildren just beginning to choose their future careers to professionals in the restoration industry. They discussed the training of restoration specialists, the knowledge required for the field, and the competencies gained through SPbGASU’s programs at every level, ranging from preparatory courses to professional retraining and postgraduate studies.
The university has placed special emphasis on a significant new development: starting this year, in addition to the long-established program for training restoration architects, training has begun for the specialization of "restoration engineer." This track complements the traditional architectural training of engineers and focuses on addressing engineering challenges related to the preservation of buildings and structures.
