Environmental Design
54.04.01 In English and Russian
Level of education Master
Type of instruction Full-time
Duration 2 years
Programme description
- The master’s programme "Environmental Design" is designed to train multiskilled environmental designers with in-depth theoretical knowledge in research-based design and in the context of interdisciplinary links of the profession
- Uniquely designed teaching techniques of profession-oriented courses provide training of designers. They are capable of performing independent research and projects in different design fields such as the design of small architectural forms; urban design; landscape design; interior design; and architectural, museum, exhibition, and event design
- The training programme is based on the latest information and computer technologies, modern techniques and design tools
- Relying on the universal and professional competences, graduates of the programme are ready to solve various issues related to the design of human habitat, communicative and visual spaces as well as related systems, phenomena and processes, including social innovation, cultural, humanitarian and sustainability projects
Main courses
- Design History and Methods
- Architecture and Art in the 20th and 21st Centuries
- Integral Analysis of Environmental Objects
- Conceptual Modelling of Environmental Objects
- Digital Technologies in Environmental Design
- Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites
- Patent Science and Copyright
- Current Issues in Environmental Design
- Theory and Methods of Design Project Development
Our advantages
- The programme is based on the unique exclusive methods of teaching specialised courses, which provide variability of training with respect to the individual scientific interests of undergraduates. This deepens and expands the competence obtained in the training during the programme
- The teaching staff of the programme is a team of like-minded professionals, practitioners, and theorists. They have an extensive experience in the scientific and practical fields of environmental design and art activity, and are specialists in various fields – landscape, restoration, architecture, interior, and urban planning. All teachers are members of creative unions (Union of Artists, Union of Architects, Union of Landscape Architects, Union of Designers), many have degrees in art history or architecture or honorary titles
- Students actively participate in: the exhibition and project activities of the programme; competitions; and conferences of national and international scale ("National Award in the Field of Landscape Architecture", "Insterforum", "the Fate of Man – the Fate of the Earth", "ICON-LA", etc.)
- The training programme includes research and creative practices. During these undergraduates not only consolidate their theoretical knowledge but also execute specific assignments for the correction or formation of environmental objects on the basis of scientific research. Such practical training is facilitated by the funds "Legacy of Baron Stieglitz", "Pro Arte", and "House-castle". In addition, The Scientific Park of St Petersburg University, namely the RC "Space and geoinformation technologies", provides an opportunity for the undergraduates to perform pre-project studies using the latest methods and technologies of monitoring and screening of the architectural environment. This ensures the highest level of accuracy of design
- The graduates' professional and creative demand is determined by comprehensive theoretical and practical training. The graduates work in the Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, Department of Garden and Park Management, design companies and architectural offices. They can continue their doctoral studies in European universities
- The programme actively cooperates with foreign universities (Aalto University in Helsinki; Boit University of Applied Sciences in Berlin; Rouen Higher School of Architecture)
- The programme will be further internationalised with the establishment of the master's curriculum in "Landscape Design" in English
- The programme is designed to train multiskilled designers who are capable of meeting modern requirements of the profession, and working at all stages of a design process from the collection and processing of information to the creation and implementation of a project independently as well as a supervisor or a leading employee of a creative team
- Graduates of the programme are ready to take into account interdisciplinary aspects of design such as design for sustainable development, development of "healthy cities", development of accessible environments, environmental rehabilitation of disturbed territories, and modern use of cultural heritage sites
Main areas of research
- Design for social innovations and sustainable development
- Museum design
- Landscape design
- Environmental concepts of public spaces and interiors
- Urban design
- Humanisation of the urban environment and the synthesis of arts
- Revitalisation of cultural heritage sites
International relations
- Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland
- International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media (CUMULUS)
- International Association of Design Laboratories "DESIS"
- University Alliance for Sustainability — UAS FUB
Career opportunities
The graduates are trained to work at architectural and design companies as designers of urban environment, landscapes, interiors and architectural objects, developers of concepts for complex environmental projects and heads of interdisciplinary teams of authors.