On 25 March, in honor of the 95th anniversary of the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics, a book exhibition entitled “Descriptive geometry. Engineering graphics: milestones in history” was ceremoniously opened in the SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library.

The exhibition displays the first textbooks on descriptive geometry, projects and drawings by teachers of the 19th–20th centuries, albums with drawings by the first students, scientific research by department staff, and modern textbooks and study guides.

"Today we have gathered in our legendary library to congratulate the staff of the oldest department of the university and pay tribute to all those talented and hardworking teachers whose contribution to the training of specialists in the construction field is invaluable. We have gathered to remember the names of those who laid the foundations of the traditions of the Russian school of civil engineers and stood at the origins of teaching the discipline "Descriptive geometry"; those who supplemented, expanded and preserved the traditions of teaching; those who today, in the rapid time of the development of digital technologies, are engaged in this science," Elena Romanova, Head of the SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library, addressed the guests of the exhibition.

Elena Gennadyevna expressed her gratitude to Elena Denisova, Head of the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics, for donating to the library a rare 1821 edition of L. L. Vallee’s “Treatise on the science of drawing,” which contains a general theory of shadows, linear perspective, a general theory of optical images, and aerial perspective used for blurred drawing.

Senior lecturer at the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics Vladimir Zaikin shared his memories of outstanding scientists - Ivan Dmitrievich Sizov, Maria Fedorovna Yakovleva, Aleksandra Nikolaevna Zaikina, Valentina Fominichna Ivanova. According to Vladimir Konstantinovich, of the 95 years that the department has existed, he could talk about the last fifty - he visited the lecture halls and drawing rooms when he was still a child, then studied at our university and has been working there for many years.

The department's head Elena Denisova spoke about the department's successes today. The department provides graphic and geometric training for all engineering, construction and architectural specialties. The research interests of the staff concern various aspects of the application of the academic disciplines "Descriptive geometry", "Engineering graphics" and "Computer graphics" to these fields of study.

The department uses modern teaching methods - interactive lectures, online courses, CAD systems are used: Kompas-3D, nanoCAD for creating 3D models and preparing drawings, which allows students to better understand spatial relationships and visualize complex geometric objects, and gain skills in working with modern software. Tasks are developed that require manual graphics: you cannot completely abandon manual drawing, which develops motor skills, an eye and an understanding of the principles of construction, which is critical for the formation of spatial thinking.

The main research areas of the department are geometric modeling, computer graphics, information modeling technologies (TIM), engineering analysis, data visualization, application of methods of descriptive geometry and engineering graphics in education, use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, etc.

Over the past three years, the department's teachers have published more than 160 works. Students under their scientific supervision have published about 100 works. The department has three areas of the student scientific society of the Faculty of Architecture: "3D modeling in modern design" (headed by Elena Denisova), "Architecture and geometry in a sustainable world" (headed by Olga Melnikova, senior lecturer at the department), and "Computer-aided design (CAD) systems for solving construction and architectural problems" (headed by Yuliana Guryeva, associate professor at the department).

Career guidance work is carried out: master classes are held for schoolchildren: "Profession: civil engineer. Who builds, what builds and for whom builds", "Not everyone is given the opportunity to live so generously - to give friends cities memories!" The department's teachers work in schools and collaborate with other educational institutions.

Students, under the guidance of the department's teachers, regularly participate in competitions and olympiads at the regional, all-Russian and international levels, where they win prizes, demonstrating a high level of training and a creative approach to solving engineering problems.

The department's teachers have written manuals and textbooks that have received high marks in competitions, and have acquired a number of patents for their inventions. Yuliana Guryeva was awarded a laureate diploma at the international exhibition and competition "Creative spring. The expanses of my homeland..." for her graphic work "The bell tower of the Nikolsky Naval Cathedral in St Petersburg" (from the series "St Petersburg - the City of Naval Glory").

"In the modern educational realities, the Department of Descriptive Geometry must actively develop in order to remain relevant and in demand. Traditional approaches need to be adapted to new technologies, labor market requirements, and the changing educational needs of students," Elena Denisova is confident.

The department's development areas include the introduction of new educational technologies, development and refinement of courses and disciplines that meet modern labor market requirements in close cooperation with graduating departments, encouraging students to participate in scientific conferences and competitions in geometry and computer graphics, participation in international educational and scientific projects, and student and teacher exchanges with foreign universities.

SPbGASU students congratulated the department on its anniversary in the form of a video message, in which they warmly thanked the teachers for their responsiveness, assistance in preparing for the Olympiads and developing professional skills.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition continued with a tour of the reading room for working with rare books, where Elena Romanova showed unique graphic works from the collection of the SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library, made by teachers and students of previous years.

The exhibition in the reading room of the SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library will run until 25 April.

Open hours: Monday – Thursday 10:00 - 18:00, Friday 10:00 - 17:00.