The future where you want to live: a hackathon for young architects of the country has ended in the National Centre RUSSIA
A large-scale Architectural Hackathon, which brought together young architects and students of architectural universities of Russia, has ended at the National Centre RUSSIA. The three-day event, which was held from July 16 to July 18, was organised by the National Centre RUSSIA together with the Government of the Donetsk People's Republic. Its goal was to involve young people in development and creation of modern architectural solutions which shape a new look of the country's historical territories.
The final event of the Hackathon was the panel discussion "Russia of the Future: Visual Code and Architectural Heritage", which combined the summing up of the creative process, and an open dialogue about the direction in which our architecture is moving.
The experts discussed how to create a unique and attractive visual identity for new regions, and touched upon the issues of preserving cultural heritage and forming an architectural style that future generations can be proud of.
A special role of young specialists in the transformation of park territories and the revival of Donbas was noted by head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin. He also stressed the need to form a unified visual code in the country's architecture.
"We really need a unified visual code. The processes of revival and recovery are already underway, and we need to catch our time: to feel, to catch what, perhaps, is still floating in the air. Therefore, I am very glad that we have an opportunity to communicate and to build together something that will become a matter of pride for both us and our foreign guests. And, of course, to connect new spaces with our history, which we want to perpetuate in memory," Denis Pushilin said.
Addressing the participants of the Hackathon, head of the DPR urged young people not to hesitate to show creative activity and creativity in the development of architectural projects.
"Dear friends, you are all creative persons. I ask you to contribute the most daring ideas and solutions to the development and revival of Donbas. Don't be shy, because what you create will be used in the future, at least for decades. And if we need to recreate some territories almost from scratch, then let's do it together, beautifully, creatively, qualitatively, using modern technologies and tools. And then we will really get such spaces and territories where we want to live," Denis Pushilin concluded.
The experience of implementing unique architectural and urban planning projects in the Sakhalin region was shared by governor of the region Valery Limarenko. In his speech, he noted that for the implementation of successful projects, experienced architects necessarily need the help of creative youth.
"When we selected architects to implement projects, I hoped not only for venerable representatives of this sphere, but also for novice specialists - those who see their city in an unusual way. I call them "crazy" architects. These are people with a creative outlook, and they build the future the way they want to make it for themselves and their children. Therefore, for the appearance of successful projects, it is necessary to bring conservative and young architects together," Valery Limarenko is sure.
Head of the region also stressed that large-scale resources and large financial injections are not always necessary to create a comfortable urban environment - sometimes it is enough to carry out a "cultural revolution".
"Previously, many people came to Sakhalin to earn money, and to leave then to live happily in the south and take their children there. How do you like it, and what kind of architecture, landscaping, master plans and other things can be there with such a genetic dream and such a mood? Here in Sakhalin, we got together and decided that we will introduce cultural changes and build a new life. We decided that we need to build new houses to replace the wrecked ones, that every person leaving their apartment should get into a clean lobby, and that public spaces should be arranged only the way people want, otherwise not a penny will be given for the project. As a result, we have undergone tremendous changes over the past six years," Valery Limarenko said.
More than 70 students from architectural universities and faculties of Russia worked on the Hackathon's topic: "The cultural code of historical regions based on the park environment." They developed, and as part of the final event, defended park renovation projects and the concept of a visual code which reflect the spirit and atmosphere of each historical region of the country. Specific objects: the Patriot Park (DNR), city park of Molodogvardeisk (LNR), the Central Alley of the city of Skadovsk (Kherson region) and the Maxim Gorky's Melitopol City Park of Culture and Recreation (Zaporizhia region) were determined by the project organizers together with the regional ministries of construction.
As part of the three-day Architectural Hackathon's educational program for young architects, there were lectures on working with neural networks and small architectural forms, workshops on creating 3D models and lighting the park environment, and other events that will help students in their further work in the industry.
As part of the business program, along with the final panel discussion, a meeting was held on the topic "Architectural and urban identity of Russia: the role of society, business and the state in the shaping of the visual code".
The results of the Hackathon will be combined into four catalogs (one for each historical region) with landscape-visual analysis of cities and building morphotypes. The publication will also include specific park designs developed by the participants of the event, and students' proposals regarding creating small architectural forms based on the developed visual code of the regions.
