LETI: LETI Space Transformation Projects: On the Way to Implementation
On December 10, a public hearing took place at which the young architects presented refined designs for the Forum and American Recreation sites. Representatives of the university’s communities and jury members reviewed the projects, which the contestants had adapted to the conditions and objectives of LETI’s development throughout two and a half months. The presented concepts for organizing spaces take into account the best practices of Russian and international universities.
“Campus development is one of the policies of Priority 2030, which requires us to transform our university from classic classrooms and labs to universal, transformable spaces for student communication and collaboration by 2030. That’s the kind of project we’re going to look at today.”
Vladimir Pavlovskih, Head of Property Development Office at LETI
“American Recreations,” the pass-through spaces of Building 5, include three functional zones. In two of them, St. Petersburg State University students Evdokia Luneva and Lyubov Smirnova propose creating multifunctional spaces for work and study. The first one, dominated by yellow, will serve to group work. Students will be able to move modular tables and assemble them in the desired configuration. The calm blue space will be suitable for individual studies. Both zones provide multifunctional screens for presentations, project discussion, and information sharing. Glass partitions will protect from corridor noise.
The third functional zone – a space for relaxation – was designed by students of SPbGASU, Marina Luchnikova and Anna Sorokina, whose project “1999” won the vote in this nomination. Following the wishes of the students, authors actively use wooden surfaces and greenery here to create a cozy atmosphere. Mobile furniture allows reorganizing any corner of this area for relaxation and meetings. The colors in the project are based on the corporate identity of LETI. An LED wiring scheme, which will be chosen by the students, will shine on the wall. The design solution also includes shelves for bookcrossing.
The winners in the “Forum” category, SPbGASU students Alexei Stratienko and Elizaveta Chernova, managed to combine the advantages of the current green area near the seventh building with its new functions. The existing lawns will be preserved to keep access to the underground networks but will now have a slope ending with benches on the retaining wall. The project involves the separation of pedestrian and bicycle flows and the creation of quiet seating areas. Three plazas will appear in the space: with a monument to Vologdin, with room for a Christmas tree or stage for events, and the main plaza, where an art object emphasizing the university identity is supposed to be installed.