A round table with representatives of the space industry was held in Moscow at the Moscow Humanitarian and Technological University - Moscow Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering (MSTU-MASI) as part of the II International Congress of Young Architects and Designers MKM ARCH 2025.
The event brought together leading experts from the space industry, education, architecture and design, confirming the key role of ICM ARCH in shaping professional trends and strengthening ties between education, industry and international co-operation.
The participants of the discussion, including Natalia Klimova (Head of the Organising Committee of the A.V. Kuzmin Council of Chief Architects of the Subjects of the Russian Federation. Kuzmin, Advisor of RAASN, moderator of the round table), Anastasia Medvedeva (UN expert on asteroid security), Valeria Barashkova (Sales and Marketing Director of Aerospace Capital LLC), Sergey Smirnov (General Director of Smirnov Design LLC), Elena Orlova (President of the Science. Art. Technology Foundation), as well as representatives of leading universities, discussed personnel training for the space industry.
Key outcomes:
- Interdisciplinarity has become the main principle of future education. Elena Bulgakova, Head of the Department of Architecture at MSTU-MASI, noted: ‘The emotions that architecture brings to space projects are not a luxury, but a necessity. Such projects require in-depth professional training, which is provided by venues like MKM ARCH.’
- Adaptation of educational programmes through space design courses and internships in companies. Valeria Barashkova emphasised: ‘Already now student projects presented at the congress are becoming the basis for real solutions. Next year we plan to scale this experience through the new stages of ICM ARCH’.
- Popularisation of space through culture and art. According to Elena Orlova, ‘Art and education are two wings that raise interest in space. The Congress knows how to connect these directions’.
- International co-operation. Architect-urbanist Alaa Abushreitakh said: ‘Russia can become a leader in creating space settlements, and ICM ARCH is a point of attraction for global experts’.
Recommendations include the creation of inter-university programmes with Roscosmos, student competitions in space object design, internships in companies and integration of AI into education without compromising creativity.
Perspectives: The participants agreed to form a working group to develop a roadmap for co-operation between universities and the space industry. The final proposals will be sent to Roscosmos, the Ministry of Education and Science and the State Duma. Natalia Klimova announced: ‘Architecture and space require not only bold ideas, but also a professional base. This is exactly what MCM ARCH was created for - so that young professionals can grow in dialogue with the industry, and their projects can change the future’.
The event confirmed the status of MKM ARCH as a key platform for breakthrough initiatives. As early as 2026, the project plans to expand its geography and thematic tracks, strengthening Russia's leadership in training architects for space missions.
Photo provided by the editorial office of Vokrug ZhEKa magazine
The event brought together leading experts from the space industry, education, architecture and design, confirming the key role of ICM ARCH in shaping professional trends and strengthening ties between education, industry and international co-operation.
The participants of the discussion, including Natalia Klimova (Head of the Organising Committee of the A.V. Kuzmin Council of Chief Architects of the Subjects of the Russian Federation. Kuzmin, Advisor of RAASN, moderator of the round table), Anastasia Medvedeva (UN expert on asteroid security), Valeria Barashkova (Sales and Marketing Director of Aerospace Capital LLC), Sergey Smirnov (General Director of Smirnov Design LLC), Elena Orlova (President of the Science. Art. Technology Foundation), as well as representatives of leading universities, discussed personnel training for the space industry.
Key outcomes:
- Interdisciplinarity has become the main principle of future education. Elena Bulgakova, Head of the Department of Architecture at MSTU-MASI, noted: ‘The emotions that architecture brings to space projects are not a luxury, but a necessity. Such projects require in-depth professional training, which is provided by venues like MKM ARCH.’
- Adaptation of educational programmes through space design courses and internships in companies. Valeria Barashkova emphasised: ‘Already now student projects presented at the congress are becoming the basis for real solutions. Next year we plan to scale this experience through the new stages of ICM ARCH’.
- Popularisation of space through culture and art. According to Elena Orlova, ‘Art and education are two wings that raise interest in space. The Congress knows how to connect these directions’.
- International co-operation. Architect-urbanist Alaa Abushreitakh said: ‘Russia can become a leader in creating space settlements, and ICM ARCH is a point of attraction for global experts’.
Recommendations include the creation of inter-university programmes with Roscosmos, student competitions in space object design, internships in companies and integration of AI into education without compromising creativity.
Perspectives: The participants agreed to form a working group to develop a roadmap for co-operation between universities and the space industry. The final proposals will be sent to Roscosmos, the Ministry of Education and Science and the State Duma. Natalia Klimova announced: ‘Architecture and space require not only bold ideas, but also a professional base. This is exactly what MCM ARCH was created for - so that young professionals can grow in dialogue with the industry, and their projects can change the future’.
The event confirmed the status of MKM ARCH as a key platform for breakthrough initiatives. As early as 2026, the project plans to expand its geography and thematic tracks, strengthening Russia's leadership in training architects for space missions.
Photo provided by the editorial office of Vokrug ZhEKa magazine