At the library opening
In September, the renovated "Lotsman" Central Children's Library opened in Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Region. The new space is based on a concept developed by architects and students from the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering as part of the annual "Library Interiors" competition.
The 2025 library modernization project was developed by Irina Ivashkina, a first-year master’s student at SPbGASU. The competition bridges the educational process with real-world challenges in public interior design and is held with the participation of the Leningrad Region Committee for Culture and Tourism, the Leningrad Regional Universal Scientific Library, and the Golden Trezzini International Architectural and Design Awards.
"It is particularly important for students to see that their projects can be carried forward into real life. In this instance, an idea developed as part of the educational process served as the foundation for a new public space that is already being enjoyed by children and their parents. Such projects allow students to go through the entire process—from conceptualization to implementation—and gain hands-on experience working on a real-world project," noted Andrey Surovenkov, Dean of the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture.
The "Lotsman" concept is based on a maritime theme linked to the history of Sosnovy Bor. This history begins with the village of Ustye—whose residents engaged in fishing and seafaring—and extends into the city's modern life, particularly through the activities of the Navy Training Center and the A.P. Alexandrov NITI.
The nautical theme extends into the library’s interior, featuring boat-shaped shelving, modular furniture, pods for private reading, and cozy social areas. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of pine trees and a nearby church, connecting the interior with the surrounding environment. The name "Lotsman" itself reflects the institution's core mission: to serve as a guide for children and teenagers through the worlds of literature, knowledge, and modern technology.
Following its modernization, the library acquired new equipment: an interactive mobile floor, a digital piano, a mobile virtual reality classroom, and an interactive sandbox. The collection was expanded by two thousand new titles, while the furniture for the renovated space was manufactured by the St Petersburg-based factory Egri.
The first visitors were able to explore the new library on the opening day. Children browsed and read books, familiarized themselves with the renovated space, and interacted with the guests. Librarians from the Leningrad Regional Children's Library hosted a literary game for young readers, and a meeting with author Olga Serova. Representatives from the Leningrad Region Committee for Culture and Tourism, the Leningrad Regional Universal Scientific Library, the Sosnovy Bor administration, and other organizations arrived to congratulate the "Lotsman" team.
The modernization of the Central Children's Library was made possible by Sosnovy Bor's participation in the "Family" national project, as well as support from the region and the city administration. "Lotsman" became the second model library in Sosnovy Bor.
The implementation of the project is an example of how the work of SPbGASU students can extend beyond the classroom and be brought to life in a real public space.
