- Natalia Klimova is a person whose work combines urban planning, international co-operation and innovation. Head of the Organising Committee of the Council of Chief Architects of the Russian Federation and Municipalities named after A.V.Kuzmin. A.V.Kuzmin, Advisor to the RAASN, co-organiser of the International Congress of Young Architects and Designers (ICM ARCH) - she is at the origin of projects that shape the future of urban environment and space architecture. On the threshold of the workshop ‘Space Inspector: Orbital Inspection’, which will be held on 24-25 April within the framework of the International Congress of Young Architects ARCH 2025, we talked to Natalia Alexandrovna about the challenges, dreams and the role of young people in the exploration of extraterrestrial space.
- Natalia Alexandrovna, how did your experience in the Council of Chief Architects and project management influence the organisation of the workshop ‘Space Auditor’?
- Working with regional chief architects has taught me the main thing: the environment created by specialists in architecture and urban planning largely determines the quality of life. But if we used to talk about terrestrial cities, today we are also talking about space stations. When organising the workshop, we used the same principles: interdisciplinarity, practice-orientation, and international dialogue. Last year we held the first space workshop within the framework of ICM, which became the prototype of the current project. This is not just a step into the unknown - it is a logical continuation of our mission: to involve young people in solving global problems.
- What goals do you set as a co-organiser of ICM ARCH?
- The Congress is a bridge between education and practice. We want young specialists not just to study theory, but also to work on real cases. For example, at the workshop participants design living modules for extreme conditions, conduct stress tests of structures and even simulate conflicts in crews. This teaches them to think systematically, taking into account not only technical but also psychological aspects.
- Why space architecture?
- Space is not only a romance, but also a challenge. Today, when the government is working on a national project on space activities, it is important to train personnel capable of designing beyond the Earth. By the way, my personal interest in this topic is connected with my family history: my mother is a graduate of Bauman Moscow State Technical University and worked on systems for the Soviet reusable orbital spacecraft Buran. Perhaps her experience inspired me to look for points of contact between the humanities and the technical.
- The workshop participants represent 12 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and Brazil. What opportunities does such co-operation open up?
- Russia is a country with 190 nationalities. Multiculturalism is a natural environment for us. At the workshop, students from different countries exchange approaches: for example, Indonesian colleagues bring experience of working in resource-limited environments, and Brazilian colleagues bring innovations in eco-materials. This ‘cross-pollination’ strengthens Russia's position as a space technology leader. We are not just sharing knowledge - we are creating a network of future professionals who will work together to solve global challenges.
- How can academic programmes integrate with the demands of the space industry?
- The problem is the gap between education and practice. For example, Roscosmos may need architects who understand the specifics of weightlessness, but universities rarely include such modules in their programmes. Our workshop is an attempt to close this gap. We will send the best projects of the participants to RSC Energia and private companies - this is a chance for young people to influence real space missions.
- Tell us about the project ‘I am a Builder of the Future!’. How is it related to the space theme?
- This project, created under the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Construction, popularises construction professions. But construction is not only about houses, roads and other infrastructure on Earth. Space modules require the same skills: working with materials, calculating loads, ergonomics. At the workshop we show that a whole range of construction professions, from architect to engineer, can have the prefix-definition ‘space’. By the way, this year the team of children from the project ‘I am a Builder of the Future’ was joined by the youth wing and will take part in the workshop for the second time.
- What earthly architectural practices are applicable in space?
- Vitruvius' principles: utility, durability, beauty. But I would add human-centredness. For example, on Earth we are returning to the idea of large family spaces - this trend can be transferred to spaceships. Imagine crews where there are areas to spend time together, not just capsules for work and sleep.
- What skills do architects need to work in extreme environments?
- Professionalism, empathy and the ability to improvise. You can't make mistakes in space, but you can't always anticipate everything. For example, at the workshop we hold games on conflict management - it teaches you to find solutions under pressure.
- If you were designing an object outside the Earth, what would it be?
- Not an orbital station or a moon base. I'm inspired by the topic of ‘dark matter’ - something that combines science and philosophy. Perhaps it would be an intergalactic centre for the study of new forms of energy, where, among other things, architecture would be a tool for breakthrough discoveries.
- Name three principles that should form the basis of space architecture.
- First: human-centredness. Even in weightlessness, space should take into account the psychology of the crew. Second: sustainability. We cannot repeat Earth's mistakes - thoughtless use of space resources leading to exhaustion is unacceptable. Third: beauty combined with functionality. Aesthetics in space is not a luxury, but a necessity to preserve morale.
- What motivates you to continue with such ambitious projects?
- As one of my colleagues said, ‘a chief architect is like a boiling kettle’. I am interested in opening new horizons, be it dialogue with young people or space technology. And I believe that in 10 years' time the participants of our workshop will be designing cities on Mars - and today we are laying the foundations for this.
The Space Auditor Workshop is not just an event. It is a launching pad for those who will turn Stanislav Lem's fantasies into reality. And as Natalia Klimova noted: ‘Space begins on Earth - in the heads of those who are not afraid to dream’.
- Natalia Alexandrovna, how did your experience in the Council of Chief Architects and project management influence the organisation of the workshop ‘Space Auditor’?
- Working with regional chief architects has taught me the main thing: the environment created by specialists in architecture and urban planning largely determines the quality of life. But if we used to talk about terrestrial cities, today we are also talking about space stations. When organising the workshop, we used the same principles: interdisciplinarity, practice-orientation, and international dialogue. Last year we held the first space workshop within the framework of ICM, which became the prototype of the current project. This is not just a step into the unknown - it is a logical continuation of our mission: to involve young people in solving global problems.
- What goals do you set as a co-organiser of ICM ARCH?
- The Congress is a bridge between education and practice. We want young specialists not just to study theory, but also to work on real cases. For example, at the workshop participants design living modules for extreme conditions, conduct stress tests of structures and even simulate conflicts in crews. This teaches them to think systematically, taking into account not only technical but also psychological aspects.
- Why space architecture?
- Space is not only a romance, but also a challenge. Today, when the government is working on a national project on space activities, it is important to train personnel capable of designing beyond the Earth. By the way, my personal interest in this topic is connected with my family history: my mother is a graduate of Bauman Moscow State Technical University and worked on systems for the Soviet reusable orbital spacecraft Buran. Perhaps her experience inspired me to look for points of contact between the humanities and the technical.
- The workshop participants represent 12 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and Brazil. What opportunities does such co-operation open up?
- Russia is a country with 190 nationalities. Multiculturalism is a natural environment for us. At the workshop, students from different countries exchange approaches: for example, Indonesian colleagues bring experience of working in resource-limited environments, and Brazilian colleagues bring innovations in eco-materials. This ‘cross-pollination’ strengthens Russia's position as a space technology leader. We are not just sharing knowledge - we are creating a network of future professionals who will work together to solve global challenges.
- How can academic programmes integrate with the demands of the space industry?
- The problem is the gap between education and practice. For example, Roscosmos may need architects who understand the specifics of weightlessness, but universities rarely include such modules in their programmes. Our workshop is an attempt to close this gap. We will send the best projects of the participants to RSC Energia and private companies - this is a chance for young people to influence real space missions.
- Tell us about the project ‘I am a Builder of the Future!’. How is it related to the space theme?
- This project, created under the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Construction, popularises construction professions. But construction is not only about houses, roads and other infrastructure on Earth. Space modules require the same skills: working with materials, calculating loads, ergonomics. At the workshop we show that a whole range of construction professions, from architect to engineer, can have the prefix-definition ‘space’. By the way, this year the team of children from the project ‘I am a Builder of the Future’ was joined by the youth wing and will take part in the workshop for the second time.
- What earthly architectural practices are applicable in space?
- Vitruvius' principles: utility, durability, beauty. But I would add human-centredness. For example, on Earth we are returning to the idea of large family spaces - this trend can be transferred to spaceships. Imagine crews where there are areas to spend time together, not just capsules for work and sleep.
- What skills do architects need to work in extreme environments?
- Professionalism, empathy and the ability to improvise. You can't make mistakes in space, but you can't always anticipate everything. For example, at the workshop we hold games on conflict management - it teaches you to find solutions under pressure.
- If you were designing an object outside the Earth, what would it be?
- Not an orbital station or a moon base. I'm inspired by the topic of ‘dark matter’ - something that combines science and philosophy. Perhaps it would be an intergalactic centre for the study of new forms of energy, where, among other things, architecture would be a tool for breakthrough discoveries.
- Name three principles that should form the basis of space architecture.
- First: human-centredness. Even in weightlessness, space should take into account the psychology of the crew. Second: sustainability. We cannot repeat Earth's mistakes - thoughtless use of space resources leading to exhaustion is unacceptable. Third: beauty combined with functionality. Aesthetics in space is not a luxury, but a necessity to preserve morale.
- What motivates you to continue with such ambitious projects?
- As one of my colleagues said, ‘a chief architect is like a boiling kettle’. I am interested in opening new horizons, be it dialogue with young people or space technology. And I believe that in 10 years' time the participants of our workshop will be designing cities on Mars - and today we are laying the foundations for this.
The Space Auditor Workshop is not just an event. It is a launching pad for those who will turn Stanislav Lem's fantasies into reality. And as Natalia Klimova noted: ‘Space begins on Earth - in the heads of those who are not afraid to dream’.