interview:Ecological Architectural Education in Russia 2010

Ecological Architectural Education in Russia 2010

Interview of Professor Pavel Kazantsev, Ph.D. in architecture (Moscow, Moscow Architectural Institute, 1992), docent (1997), professor of Design department FENTU (2006), member of Union architects of Russia(1999),ISES silver member, Italian ECO correspondent on Russia. Laureate of "National ecology award "ECOWORLD" (Moscow, Federal parliament of RF, 2009, for solar projects and sustainable education course in FENTU).

Mr. Pavel Kazantsev, you’ve been giving a course on ecological architecture and planning at the Russian Far East State Engineering University. Can we say that you were the first professor to introduce these ecological issues in the universities in Russia.? What was your motivation behind this? How has been the response and interest from the students and how did the universities welcome this initiative?

My personal interest to ecological architecture and also the fact that it was totally impossible to realize into practice any of my projects: we were in 1990 and few customers ever heard about solar-collectors heating technology or about solar passive architecture Together with students, we made several exercises on “solar architecture” projects and this convinced me and made me realize the huge interest and response coming from the students.

The basis of the new theory courses was named “Architecture climatology” for 3d year students. I introduced a more practical approach to 4th-6th year students within architecture planning. Of course it took time, all 6 designed projects, beginning with simple “bioclimatic” architecture form to “ecological skyscrapers”. The first course, completing all the tasks in 2007, graduated Architecture, Art and Design Institute. (Architecture, Art and Design Institute is a part of Far East State Engineering University).

Because of number of social and economic reasons ecological architecture is still seen in Russia as something unreal. Working with students gives an opportunity to appeal to alternative architecture of the nearest future.

Have you had much support from colleagues’ professors in bringing ecological issues to a larger scale?

There was full range of reactions: total rejection and zero-tolerance (even in 2006, the University Academic Council experienced colleagues argued that “there is now ecological architecture and solar architecture has nothing to do with ecological architecture”). But in the same time there was great support and joint work with graduated students, coming back to work as assistants. For the permanent “ecological planning” course at the Architecture, Design and Art Institute, I should thank Mrs. Elena Erysheva the University director 2003-2007, and doctor Anvir Fatkulin, current university rector.

How has the work with students changed during these 10 years? Is there any focus change?

We should change focus every year, since relevance of training task is changing along with the interests of students. For instance, the students of today (course that graduates in 2011) first of all are interested in ecological architecture “practice” and less concerned about “eco-fantasies”. As soon as the Industrial park of Far East Sate Engineering University “Low-Rise ecological building” will be completed, we will be able to conclude the course with actual realization of students work into practice. It will also include the design stage of working drawings and construction of small energy-efficient houses. I believe it could be used in the eco-tourism field in the South of Usury taiga. But we are just in the beginning of work: woodworking line of future industrial park was certified in August 2009.

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Can we say that today ecological focus has been integrated in all engineering and architectural courses or is there still a lot of sensibilization to do be done?

The ecological architecture issues are getting common in Russia leading architecture schools to develop a yearly project or diploma project on some ecological subject. But talking about systematic approach in sustainable architecture education and about specific 4-years courses, I can only name the Russian Far East State Engineering University. 28 students holding ecological projects won different international contests, as a result of a 10 years effort.

Are there a lot of students which have decided to work fully in the ecological architecture field? What should such students do? What are perspectives for them on the Russian market?

There is no opportunity to work exclusively on sustainable buildings development or bioclimatic landscape design at Far East market or the Russian architecture market. But almost all the graduates use passive solar elements and energy-efficient elements in their projects. It may sound ironic but I believe my graduates have pretty good perspectives, considering also the fact that energy efficiency of housing and social housing are in priority as state objectives 2010. It can also lead to possible state financing of certain projects in the next 2-3 years. Also some graduates try their hand abroad, in Japan, Canada, and China…

There are more and more talks about ecological architecture in Russia. What are the main “forces” that are leading and will lead the extension of green architecture here?

The architectural community is able and will promote ecological awareness in the country, without any doubts. It can come with educational programs, pilot projects, media etc. Unfortunately, most design offices are concerned just about customer interests; we may call it Russian specifics. I don’t think situation will change in the nearest future. Customer interests are far enough from any sustainable architecture. The energy efficiency aspect comes no far than introduction of new insulation materials and maybe energy saving lamps…

The main “force” is still the private developer. It tries to ensure the autonomy of private houses from worn out utilities. The other problem is the rising household running costs. The second “force” is rare – is a customer who is trying to sell the “label” of green building, as soon as it became suddenly fashionable, to tenants of offices and shopping centers. But at the same time I can see one more perspective here. Government may become the main financial force for the ecological architecture market, especially in regions with limited fuel resources. We can see this possibility during the infrastructure development of Far East federal University (Russkiy Island near Vladivostok).

Unfortunately it is impossible to give just a simple answer, there are numerous divergent trends. For instance there is a tendency to ensure stable domestic market of non-renewable energy resources (for domestic companies).

Have you got any forecasts? How “geographically” the extension will move? Which regions are “ready” by climate state and by self-consciousness?

There are several promising regions in Russia. Alternative energy and ecological architecture field has been developing there for 15-20 years already. Siberian (Novosibirsk) and the Far East (Vladivostok) departments of Russian Academy of Science. Altai. Southern Ural. Kuban. It is also the central region because of collaboration with European colleagues. We could also remember The Soviet Union initiative, I mean the “Sun” testing area of High Temperatures Institute of USSR Academy of Science.

Have you experienced interesting collaborations with some European Universities and would you like this to be increased?

Yes, there were several collaborations; I would not mention European Universities though. It’s connected with our geographical location on the Asia Pacific Coast. We got support in establishing the course at its very early stage from educational center Green Building Program (Austin, TX). Tokyo University of Science, Universidad Anahuac Mexico Norte, National Cheng-Kung University (NCKU, Taiwan) were giving us international ecological master-classes and provided students exchange. Talking about European Union, is mostly participation of students projects in ecological architecture education conferences like: ISES Solar Academy (Frieburg), TIA conference in Danube University (Krems).

And the last question: What are you working at now? Do you have some interesting projects?

Well, right now there is project of low-rise “social” residential frame houses with solar heating for southern Far East. I’m working on a the full range of economy class green houses, beginning with small countryside houses, tourist houses, residential houses for young families (60-70 sq.m.) up to cottages (120-130 sq.m.). Estimated percentage of solar heating is 75-81% for winter period.

Related Links:

• University of Far East

• Mr Pavel Kazantsev website:

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