Participants of the summer school of restoration
The St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering concluded the International Scientific and Educational Summer School of Restoration "Our Vyra".
Over the course of two weeks, more than 20 participants from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan explored the cultural heritage sites of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, visited existing restoration sites, and developed their own concepts for preserving the historic Vyrskaya Myza site, associated with the life and work of Vladimir Nabokov.
As the leader of the school, Head of the SPbGASU Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage, PhD of Architecture, Associate Professor Nadezhda Akulova, explained, the main goal of the participants was not just to get acquainted with architectural monuments, but to learn to identify the historical and cultural values of the territory and propose modern approaches to their preservation.
"The main task was to delve into uncharted territory, identify its value characteristics, and, based on that, propose a concept for preservation and development. Each team presented its own vision, and all the projects turned out to be completely different."
During the classes, students interacted with restoration architects, representatives of monument conservation authorities, public organizations, and users of historic buildings. In addition to working at the Rozhdestveno estate complex, where the students conducted a topographic survey and measured the surviving estate buildings, the summer school program included visits to the workshops of the International Restoration Center and tours of sites in St Petersburg and the surrounding region. In particular, trips were organized to Vyborg—to Monrepos Park and to Ivangorod, where young restorers examined the Ivangorod Fortress (15th–18th centuries) and the 19th-century Parusinka historical industrial complex, one of the most valuable industrial heritage sites in Northwest Russia.
"These trips aren't just excursions, but a fully-fledged part of the educational process. Working directly at cultural heritage sites allows the students to become familiar with the unique features of historical structures, explore the specifics of restoration work, discuss professional issues with industry experts and museum staff, and gain practical experience that can't be gained in a classroom alone," noted Nadezhda Akulova.
The organizers placed special emphasis on interuniversity and international cooperation. The school was attended by students from St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Kazan State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and the St Petersburg College of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPASK), as well as representatives from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
Following the school, four mixed teams presented development projects for the Vyrskaya Myza estate. Proposals included eco-trails, new public spaces, tourist scenarios, and concepts based on the creative legacy of Vladimir Nabokov. Specifically, the project proposals included an aerial eco-trail, bike paths, and tennis courts (the Nabokov family's favorite hobbies), as well as hardscape expressing the writer's synesthesia—the ability to see color, taste, and texture in every letter. A souvenir shop was proposed for the glacier, and a restaurant, science center, or information center for the greenhouse.
At the same time, the organizers fundamentally refused to distribute prize places.
As the director of the International Restoration Center Tatiana Chernyaeva noted:"We don't single out winners. For us, the most important thing is feedback, the ability to defend your idea, and learn to argue it professionally. This is a school, which means learning is important." According to Nadezhda Akulova, each summer school is unique because it focuses on different cultural heritage sites and allows students to explore new approaches to restoration.
"The main goal of the summer restoration school is to give students a taste of the profession. To find themselves, like Nabokov on the oak alley."
In August, SPbGASU will hold the second International Summer School of Restoration: "The Heritage of Vyborg and Rostov-on-Don."
