The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering held the closing ceremony of the interregional forum and student project competition "Architectural Seasons 2026". The project, supported by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), brought together students, teachers, the professional community, and architectural experts.
Over the course of two weeks, forum participants went through a rich educational and business program, including roundtable discussions, lectures, workshops, excursions, and discussion sessions. The competition included 17 nominations, featuring projects by students from universities, colleges, and other educational institutions. A total of 97 projects were submitted, and the best were selected for the exhibition. 2,270 people participated in the open vote, which determined 49 winners.
Andrey Surovenkov, Acting Dean of the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture, Head of the Department of Architectural Design, Associate Professor, and PhD of Architecture, addressed the ceremony participants with a welcoming speech: "It's wonderful that such events bring us all together and provide an opportunity to discuss our work, share experiences, and exchange impressions. We are truly one large team, and meetings like this one help us grow stronger as a professional community."
He noted that the forum brought together several generations of participants—from schoolchildren to PhD students and teachers—and emphasized the importance of such initiatives for professional growth and the formation of the architectural community.
The awards ceremony was held by representatives of the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture. Diplomas were presented to the winners by Daria Boytsova, Associate Professor at the Department of Architectural Design, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Architecture for Educational Work, and Nadezhda Akulova, Acting Head of the Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage, Associate Professor, and PhD of Architecture.
Addressing the competition participants, Daria Boytsova emphasized the project's importance for the development of student initiative: "The competition has gained momentum, which is very gratifying, and I hope that it will grow even more rapidly in the future. Architecture is a vast field with many different disciplines, and each of you can find your place in it."
Nadezhda Akulova recalled that last year, "Architectural Seasons" received a development grant from the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and noted the importance of student participation in the competition and the implementation of their own projects: "This is a unique case of such a successful trial of a grant project at the faculty. Any initiative can receive support—and this competition clearly demonstrates that."
The ceremony announced the winners in various categories, covering a wide range of architectural design – from residential and public buildings to urban planning solutions and improvement projects.
The evening culminated with the announcement of the competition's Grand Prix winner. The highest award went to SPbGASU student Aleksey Khimichev. His project was recognized by the jury for its high level of development, originality, and professional expressiveness.
Presentation by Aleksey Khimichev (right)
The organizers emphasized that Architectural Seasons continues to develop as an important educational and creative platform that fosters the professional formation of future architects. The forum brings together students of various levels of training, creating an environment for sharing experiences and showcasing best practices in architecture.
The event concluded with a solemn awards ceremony for the winners and words of gratitude to all participants, mentors, and organizers who contributed to the project's implementation.
The full list of winners will be added later.
