On July 19, 2025, the summer architectural and engineering workshop «ArchEng» opened. This is a community for interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, structural engineers, and designers, focused on the practical application of knowledge and experimentation. The workshop brings together experienced specialists and aspiring professionals to explore new approaches and seek unconventional solutions in architecture and engineering.

The event takes place in a field camp format on the territory of the recreation center «Volga» of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, as part of the annual event «Summer School» and lasts for 10 days.

Each track of the workshop offers its own unique program: lectures, practical sessions, and project work that provide a new perspective on the field:

1. «Architecture. Exploring Identity» — participants explore the concept of identity and work with models;
2. «Structures. Testing and Calculations» — participants carry out engineering calculations and conduct structural tests;
3. «School Track» — school students try rethinking urban spaces and learn the principles of sustainable development.

The program includes hands-on work with materials, model making, engineering tests, and mastering 3D printing technology. Also — traditional evenings by the campfire and late-night conversations under the stars, an integral part of «Summer School».

The workshop was created by a group of students from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and MGSU.

1. Ekaterina Zorina, workshop director, winner of the student league of the International Engineering Championship CASE-IN 2023 (track: «Architecture, Design, Construction»);
2. Pavel Shcherbatyuk, head of the track «Structures. Testing and Calculations»;
3. Valeria Kozodaeva, head of the track «Architecture. Exploring Identity», architectural technician at the company «Метрополис», winner of CASE-IN 2023 (track: «Architecture, Design, Construction»);
4. Alexandra Demina, head of the school division.

This year, the educational program «ArchEng» has tripled in size — with the expansion to three tracks, the team of lecturers has significantly grown.

Leading industry experts have joined from the Institute of Applied Urbanism, the art park «Nikola-Lenivets», the company «Petersburg Through the Eyes of an Engineer», the APEX design bureau, «Evraz», Marks Group, and others.

For the second year in a row, employees of the company «Metropolis» have supported the initiative and conducted educational activities within the workshop. In 2024, lectures were given by Ekaterina Velichko, Chief Project Architect, and Daniil Matrenin, Project Manager, who will again give an online lecture on July 25.

This year, the collaboration reached a new level — «Metropolis» became the strategic partner of the workshop «ArchEng».

The workshop has just begun, and we are eagerly looking forward to the results of the season and wish all participants and lecturers new experiences and exciting discoveries!