On 12 May, a preliminary discussion of bachelor's final qualification works, which students of our university are completing on topics proposed by the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Leningrad Region, took place in the SPbGASU architectural workshops. Vladimir Tsoi, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Leningrad Region – Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and the committee staff took part in the discussion: Svetlana Volkova, Head of the Department for the Implementation of the Powers of the Russian Federation in the Sphere of Cultural Heritage Sites, Olga Dmitrieva, Chief Specialist of the Department for the Implementation of the Powers of the Leningrad Region in the Sphere of Cultural Heritage Sites, Marina Shcherbakova, Consultant of the Department for the Implementation of the Powers of the Leningrad Region, and Kristina Borisevich, Chief Engineer of the Department, took part in the discussion.

The meeting was part of the SPbGASU development project in the field of restoration “Scientific and Educational Laboratory for Restoration and Renovation of Architectural Heritage” (SEL RAH) and work with final qualifying works at the Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage.

New life for the Svirskaya Pobeda memorial park in Lodeynoye Pole

Student Sofia Mironova is working on the project “Regeneration of the territory of the memorial park “Svirskaya Pobeda” in the city of Lodeynoye Pole” under the supervision of Associate Professors at the Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage Nadezhda Akulova and Nina Petukhova.

The student told about the history of the park. On 21 June, 1944, in this place a unique operation took place, which went down in history as the feat of the "false landing" during the crossing of the Svir River: 16 soldiers, risking their lives, went to the opposite bank of the Svir to attract the attention of the enemy and reveal his firing positions. Marshal Meretskov, who commanded the Karelian Front, ordered the creation of a memorial here. The park was laid out during the war by the efforts of servicemen and city residents. These events were reflected in the concept of the project.

Today, the memorial park area has fallen into disrepair. A survey of city residents showed that they would like to see it revived while preserving the "memory of the place."

"The idea provides for the creation of a memorial to 16 heroes, the improvement of the Alley of Memory, the trees of which were planted by war participants, the restoration of the Lodeynoye Pole Museum of History and Local History, and the creation of viewing platforms on the river bank, one of which will also be a memorial. The park is planned to be divided into zones: an active zone with an exhibition of military equipment, a memory zone with a sculptural group dedicated to the heroes, and a recreational zone. The Svirskaya Pobeda Memorial Park is a memory that we must pass on to future generations," said Sofia Mironova.

"On the SAILS of the past to the space of the future"

Aleksey Volkov shared details of his project "Restoration and adaptation of the Narva flax-jute manufactory complex with renovation of the Parusinka (from Russian "sailcloth factory") territory in Ivangorod" (headed by Nadezhda Akulova). The goal of the aspiring restoration architect is to preserve the historical and cultural features of the environment by creating a comfortable high-tech space integrated into the historical area.

"The area is located 150 kilometers from St Petersburg on the state border with Estonia, which runs along the Narva River. The factory village owes its origin and development to the Stieglitz family, who founded the Cloth and Flax Spinning Manufactories. The factory buildings have survived to this day with major losses, dissonant spaces, and structures in a state of emergency. Existing development projects for the area do not solve the main problems - a significant improvement in the quality of life of city residents, the development of tourism and, most importantly, the preservation of unique cultural heritage sites," shared the student, who called his concept "On the SAILS of the past to the space of the future."

The project includes the restoration of the compositional and planning structure of the factory-residential district, where the main center of attraction is the historical factory complex, around which the everyday, cultural and business environment is concentrated, meeting the modern needs and demands of the city. Aleksey is confident: the renovation of the territory with the development of a scientific, educational and cultural environment can become an example for other large integrated development projects.

Care home for the elderly in an old manor

Daria Kondratyuk presented the project "Albrecht estate in the village of Kotly, Kingissepsky district", on which she is working under the supervision of Nadezhda Akulova. The ensemble "Albrecht estate" is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. According to the student, the village of Kotly, despite the ruined state of the ensemble, is attractive to tourists. Thanks to volunteer initiatives, the festival "Kotly Marketplaces" is held there, which attracts attention to this site.

Some of the design solutions are aimed at improving the estate park, which can be included in a single route with ecotourism sites developing in the vicinity of the estate.

The project includes the adaptation of the Albrecht estate ensemble into a care home for the elderly. At the same time, it is necessary to preserve the historical heritage and create a comfortable environment for the older generation. The comprehensive approach includes the restoration of buildings, landscaping and infrastructure development, which will increase the attractiveness of the area for tourists and local residents.

Daria believes that the restoration and adaptation project she developed for modern use will help preserve the estate’s heritage for future generations.

High marks for students' works

Vladimir Tsoi highly praised the students' projects: "The works of SPbGASU students are valuable from different points of view. Firstly, sometimes it is the first approach, which is needed to understand the development prospects of a particular territory, subject complex or monument. When I was in charge of the Vyborg United Museum-Reserve, together with SPbGASU we organized an exhibition of diploma works dedicated to Vyborg and its environs. This was a revelation for the townspeople and guests. It was very relevant, interesting, and inspired fresh thoughts. Subsequently, some of the ideas were embodied in restoration projects, while others have not lost their relevance and are waiting to be implemented.

Another reason for the value of students' works is its subject matter. The project of the memorial park "Svirskaya Pobeda" in Lodeynoye Pole is, in my opinion, a completely finished product offering specific spatial architectural solutions for a specific object. Not conceptual, but subject. Therefore, cooperation with SPbGASU is very important for us.

The Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Leningrad Region was created in 2020 and immediately began to cooperate with SPbGASU in various areas. We have signed a framework agreement, we plan to develop and deepen it."