On November 7–8, SPbGASU held the VIII All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference “Current Issues of the History and Theory of Architecture”. The event was dedicated to the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia (2022–2031).

The conference has taken place annually for eight years. Collections of conference proceedings were awarded the Silver Sign at the Zodchestvo festival in 2021, and diplomas of the Union of Architects at the Architectural Heritage and Art of Building festivals in 2022.

Evgeniy Korolev, DSc in Engineering, Vice-Rector for Research, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech and spoke about the complexity of the issues raised.

Anastasia Bergman, assistant at the Department of History and Theory of Architecture, executive secretary of the organizing committee, emphasized the practical orientation of the conference.

Teachers, graduate students, students, and practitioners prepared 83 reports. During the conference there was a lively discussion, the reports evoked a response fr om the audience.

The historical and architectural environment of Ekaterinodar - Krasnodar as a phenomenon of cultural heritage of 1792–1990 was reported by Oleg Subbotin, DSc in Architecture, Professor at the Department of Architecture of the Kuban State Agrarian University named after. I. T. Trubilin. According to the speaker, this environment has enormous attractive power and invaluable cultural potential. At the present stage of development of urbanization, the most pressing question is about the need for new, better approaches to organizing the living environment, about the relationship between “historical” and “modern” architecture. This issue needs approaching very carefully.

“The historical environment is the invisible spirit of the time that surrounds us, and the blessed memory, without which the creation of the world of the present and future is impossible. We enjoy its unique heritage, and if it is completely changed, we will irrevocably lose the continuity of generations. In this regard, the problem of careful preservation, as well as restoration and renovation of the historical and architectural environment of settlements is relevant and timely,” Oleg Subbotin is sure.

Anastasia Bergman made a report “Analysis of world experience in the development of small historical settlements.” The researcher believes that the historical and cultural potential of small historical settlements needs to be studied, preserved and developed.

She has been exploring small historical settlements (Cossack villages) on the coastal territory of the Don River in the Rostov region for three years. During this time, a review of theoretical works devoted to the issues of preservation and development of historical settlements and the problems arising along this path was made. The theoretical material was supplemented with examples illustrating the world experience in the preservation and development of such objects - such an approach allows us to see the relationship between architectural theory and practice. The results of the review are grouped into three blocks, one of which was presented in detail as part of the report.

“Studying Cossack villages from a scientific point of view is important for preserving heritage and finding a delicate approach to the development of the unique regional historical and architectural environment that exists in these settlements on the banks of the Don,” said Anastasia Bergman.

The method of influencing the architectural environment through the use of certain artistic techniques was examined by Ksenia Yakovleva, Associate Professor at the SPbGASU Department of the Architectural Environment Design. The author has identified connections between modern trends in art and their reflection in architectural practice.

“Currently, architectural theory concerning the formation of an aesthetically harmonious urban environment through design is undergoing fundamental changes, as the process of integrating various kinds of artistic and design means into the architectural environment is becoming quite active, partly spontaneous and provocative. In some cases, this is a deliberate goal used by modern architects to move away from the direct interpretation of architecture as "a place wh ere people will only live, work and rest." It is the combination of paradoxes, such as the static nature of architecture and the dynamism of certain methods of using artistic means, that helps to take a broader look at the profession of an architect and understand that architecture can carry a statement, an idea, a meaning, a certain philosophy,” says Ksenia Yakovleva.

The results of the conference will be published as a collection of articles.