Archi.ru:
Tell us about your studies at the Moscow Architectural Institute
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- I graduated from Moscow Architectural Institute at the Department of Urban Planning. I will not talk about the previous 4 years - they were the same for everyone, and differed only in the leading teachers in the groups. Although the teacher, despite the same projects for the entire course, determines a lot. For example, one group in our course was led by Michael Eichner, a teacher from Germany, and the work of his students was very different from the rest. He tried to actively cooperate with the departments of structures, materials science, demanded maximum return from students, talked about truly modern architecture. There were several such outstanding teachers, and each of them "taught" his own style, actively influencing students with his vision of "correct" architecture. Personally, I remember the first and second years - precisely because of the leading teacher - Saprykina, a great professional, a woman with endless energy, open to students' ideas.
So, urban planning … In theory, just the last two years of study should have determined my professional future, however, this did not happen - in the sense that I did not start working in urban planning. Perhaps due to the fact that I spent the entire 5th year abroad, studying the architecture of civil buildings, I did not have a strong desire to engage in urban planning. However, this department taught me to think on a bigger scale, to take into account as many factors as possible when designing, to be responsible for my decisions. In general, MARCHI taught me a lot. Among the main things for myself, I would note the ability to transfer my thoughts to paper - so that it looks dignified and understandable, and the ability to work hard, that is, "work hard". Of course, MARCHI expanded my horizons, and not only architectural, taught architectural literacy and explained how to look for inspiration in everything.
However, I lacked a conceptual foundation for projects, lacked methods for conducting pre-project analysis, communication skills with future customers, and advice on a professional career. And, if I learned the real work with the concept and analysis abroad, then no one was going to prepare me for "adult" life - after graduating from the institute he stuffed himself with big shots.
Blitz interview with Konstantin Dushkevich
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- Like all students of the Moscow Architectural Institute, I went through two base years, after which we were all faced with the choice of a profile and teachers. I chose the workshop of professors Velichkin and Golovanov. A year of study with them at the Faculty of ZHOS gave a lot, I often remember and apply the knowledge I received from them. Studying at MARCHI is a challenge. The Institute sets the bar that you have to reach if you want to achieve a good result and grow professionally. Often this bar is set artificially, and you have to painstakingly search for a way to get to the required level of the project yourself.
After a year of study at the Faculty of ZhOS, I decided to transfer to the Faculty of Urban Planning under Professors Moshkov and Chuchmareva. The approach to teaching at this faculty is not much different from the JOS, especially if we bear in mind that the entire course does the same assignments for two years, regardless of the faculty.
The main advantage of our school lies in the traditional approach, where one of the strengths is the ability to draw. MARCHI also contributes to the development of such qualities as endurance, patience, hard work, teaches us to deliver the project on time. One of the distinguishing features of MARCHI, in my opinion, is large-scale projects and their corresponding huge presentation on paper. Printing out two-meter stretchers was not useful to me abroad at all, but the ability to build a story about a project in the form of an album is something that our school sorely lacks.
Blitz interview with Evgeny Chebyshev
How did you get the idea to go to study abroad and what was the basis for the choice of the country where you went?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- The idea to go to study abroad I had almost from the first year. And it appeared due to the fact that the vice-rector of the Moscow Architectural Institute for International Affairs, Valery Bgashev, was actively involved in and is engaged in the integration of the institute into the system of training exchange students. I knew about this and wanted to take this opportunity. Seeing architecture from the covers of magazines live and learning in the country where it was built - that's what inspired me to study abroad. Since all these programs provide for free education for one year, Zhenya and I began to think about which country to go to. Italy - it's strange to go to Italy without the Italian language, Germany - there the training was in German, Japan - oh, far away! And here Bgashev offers Denmark. And that, - we think, - absolutely everyone in Scandinavia knows English, which means there will be no problems in communication, Denmark is the birthplace of BIG, 3xn and Cebra, why not? And in terms of living standards, Scandinavia is almost ahead of everyone - this means the quality of the urban environment will be at its best, there will be a lot of high-quality architecture, and Aarhus, the city where the institute was located, is the next largest after Copenhagen. In general, the decision was made and we began to prepare.
Evgeny Chebyshev
- There were many options for choosing an architecture school abroad, and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I lacked design methods and a clear strategy for the development of the project, as well as conceptuality and ways to arrive at it. My choice was inclined towards Scandinavia, as a place with a high standard of living, where architectural problems are solved somewhat differently than in Russia. Thanks to the advice and support of the vice-rector of the Moscow Architectural Institute for International Relations Valery Nikolaevich Bgashev, I decided to leave to study in Denmark.
What difficulties did you encounter when processing documents for departure?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- There were absolutely no problems with the documents. The Aarhus School of Architecture required excerpts with grades from the grade book and a few more papers, which we collected and translated into English. Then Bgashev sent all this to AAA (Aarhus school of architecture), and it remained to receive confirmation from them, which also did not take long. With this confirmation, as well as with the rest of the documents, paid for by compulsory medical insurance for a year (about 7,000 rubles), we went to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark, where we were tested for our knowledge of English (10-minute interview). All. In principle, nothing complicated. However, among other things, a confirmation of solvency was required - you had to bring a certificate from your bank account about the availability of about 200,000 rubles there. But no one forbids you to put this money into your account, take a certificate and withdraw it back in five minutes.
Evgeny Chebyshev
- There were no difficulties with the paperwork, everything was easy enough, and I was quickly overwhelmed with joy from a quick meeting with an interesting country and a foreign architectural school. I remember that I needed an extract of grades, confirmation of knowledge of the English language and portfolio. Based on the results of all the materials sent, they accepted me and sent all the necessary documents for a student visa and a temporary residence permit.
How was the adaptation process in the new country?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- We took care of housing in Aarhus in advance, even before we started collecting all the documents, and then we realized how right we did. There was no dormitory at the institute, which is not uncommon for Denmark, so we had to rent an apartment. However, students are offered a 50% discount when renting specially designed housing. As it turned out, in Denmark there are a lot of residential complexes in which it is fundamentally impossible to buy an apartment: they are leased exclusively to students and young families. Zhenya and I found a website specifically for students in Aarhus, registered on it, chose several of the proposed options and began to wait. By the way, according to Danish standards, everyone living in such a "hostel", although it is difficult to call such houses a hostel in our opinion, is supposed to have a separate room, so we had no options but to rent a two-room apartment. Since Zhenya arrived first, he had to move in and sign the documents himself. When I arrived and entered our apartment, I was shocked: everything was very cool. Huge windows overlooking a green courtyard, a full kitchen (albeit without a refrigerator), a fantastic bathroom, white walls, wooden floors. Laundry room, club room, bicycle parking, manager's office - everything is on the first floor, apartments began on the second and ended on the last, fifth floor. There was no furniture in the apartment, except for a kitchenette and a large closet in one room. We knew this, and therefore we bought inflatable beds in Moscow so as not to waste time buying them in Denmark. We worked at the institute, so in the apartment we only needed a dining table and a couple of stools. We bought a table and one stool in Ikea, we made another ourselves in an institute workshop - where there are machines for working with wood, a laser cutter and a 3D printer. As for the refrigerator, we took it from the street. In Denmark, it is customary for old, but working equipment to simply be put on the street so that everyone can take it for themselves, which we did.
There were no problems with communication: every Dane, with the exception of some elderly people, speaks excellent English and absolutely does not mind speaking it. Everyone is in a friendly mood - they are always ready to help with something, suggest something, even passers-by on the street. Since this was my first such long trip abroad, at first it was not easy to communicate at the institute in another language, but you quickly get used to it, and after a couple of months you even start thinking in English. If you want to learn Danish, please. There are several absolutely free evening schools where you are given everything you need - books for reading, textbooks, workbooks and enroll in a group.
I believe that we adapted very quickly, if at all we had to adapt - we did not experience any difficulties in communication, obtaining a residence permit or filling out any documents. Everything was very clear and understandable. After some time, we decided to get a student card, which gave a 50% discount on train travel. We traveled to neighboring cities, explored the surroundings on bicycles. By the way, in Denmark you really understand that a bicycle there is a real transport that everyone uses, including for long trips. The city has a very well thought out system of bike paths with their own traffic lights, interchanges and even overpasses. All cities are also connected by bike paths, so I think you can easily and with pleasure travel around the country by bike, staying overnight in special campsites. In addition, you save on public transport and, consider, go in for sports every day.
Evgeny Chebyshev
- The process of sharp adaptation took place in the first week of stay in Aarhus: a completely different environment, different people. Everyone rides bicycles, there are bike paths: then in Moscow there were none at all. All people are very friendly and there were no special organizational problems, despite the difficulties with the English language at first. We chose housing from Kostya in Moscow via the Internet and, having arrived in Aarhus, we only had to sign the documents and pay for the first month of rent. Together, of course, it comes out cheaper, well, and more friendly: there is someone to discuss study and life with.
I had a bicycle from a student from Moscow Architectural Institute who studied in Aarhus a year earlier, and this was wonderful, since it became my main means of transportation not only around the city, but also around the surrounding area.
When I am asked about the mentality of people in Denmark, I remember one case. Once I rode a bicycle, suddenly I need to slow down, but the brake under my left hand fails, the right one is occupied by a roll of paper. As a result, unfortunately, I enter a girl on a bicycle and we both fall, fortunately at a low speed. And what do you think is going on? She lifts me up and asks: is everything all right with me? I was simply not ready for such a reaction.
Everyone in the country speaks English very well, it is almost like a second language. Although the Danes honor their traditions and language, the country is small and you have to communicate with everyone. They have films and books in the original in English from an early age.
What was your studies in Denmark?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- It was very interesting to study. In Aarhus, we felt that, unlike the Moscow Architectural Institute, our ideas are really valued and even put them at the forefront. For example, when starting a new project, we were forbidden to draw a future building, so as not to immediately become attached to any material embodiment of our thoughts: we had to develop a concept. Work on the idea is carried out throughout the design, and its results are placed in a special album, which is given to each student for a new project. When the work is completed, the students demonstrate their project to an invited jury who does not know any of the students. Here is another interesting difference from MARCHI. We call it “project defense”, they call it “project explanation”. It seems to me that the difference in names is fundamental, from which you can immediately understand the difference in approaches to training. The teacher explained to us that we should not defend our project as if everyone around us only strives to point out mistakes or shortcomings, on the contrary, the jury is friendly to you and is interested in fully understanding your project. This attitude towards students, in my opinion, motivates them to search for a unique idea for their project and shows that creating a viable individual concept is the main job of an architect, with which I cannot disagree.
The learning process itself, in comparison with the Moscow Architectural Institute, is quite unhurried - one project per semester. It can be said that there are no subjects as such - during the work on the project, additional lectures, workshops, meetings with engineers are regularly connected to the architectural design, which are specially selected by the curriculum. In other words, each of these additional activities provides students with important or simply interesting information on the topic of the project. Making something with our own hands, visiting neighboring cities and construction sites, spending two weeks in Barcelona collecting information for a future project - far from everything we did besides the direct design. In general, the learning process is quite free, mainly aimed at independent work. The lead teacher guides students, gives advice, answers questions, and does not try to retrain you, impose a point of view or force you to do something. In our group, it even came to the point that one student, instead of a project for a cultural center, proposed to build housing for students. You are free to do almost anything, the main thing is to have strong arguments with you, a strong concept and be able to explain it. In general, the year at AAA was very interesting and eventful, there was no time to get bored. We were passionate about studying, because we developed and fully implemented our concepts, and the teachers helped us in this and supported us in every possible way.
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- At the school of architecture, we chose Studio approaching sustainable architecture. The name is specific, since the term “sustainable architecture” is rather vague, and there are no precise definitions. We've been studying what sustainable architecture is and how to design it.
What is the difference and what is the similarity between studying at Aarhus and Moscow Architectural Institute?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- As I said, in my opinion, studying in Denmark differed from studying at Moscow Architectural Institute, first of all, by a different approach to education. Search for your own vision, its approbation and development. The student is not driven anywhere, he has enough time to calmly think about his project, weigh everything, go to the library, calmly talk with the teacher. The extremely friendly atmosphere of the institute and the general focus on students and their work, and not on getting some credits, senseless cramming. The fact that the student is given a key to his building and working classroom, where he can get at any moment of the day or night, already speaks volumes. No guards, no passes. Preferential printing on a plotter, almost free round-the-clock printing on a color "copier", which is in every building, the possibility of free work on machines in the workshop.
At Aarhus, we always knew what to do. It sounds harsh enough, but at Moscow Architectural Institute, constant criticism of your work and unwillingness to hear anything about the "concept", the eternal race and lack of time periodically baffled me and had to deal with frank formalism - just draw a beautiful picture without any ideological support.
Evgeny Chebyshev
- Among the pluses in the education of the Aarhus architecture school, it is necessary to highlight a clear and logical method of design, collection of information, analysis of the situation and development of the building program along with the design of its form. All the subjects that we studied were in context with the main thing - architectural design. Everything was set up to deliver a quality result. The defense of the final draft took place rather like a discussion.
What did your education in Denmark give you, and what did you get at the Moscow Architectural Institute?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- At MARCHI, much attention is paid to the history of architecture, the knowledge of which I consider to be inalienable for any self-respecting architect. At the Moscow Architectural Institute we are perfectly taught to express our thoughts on paper, they teach us to draw by hand, which seems to have been given in Aarhus only one semester in the first year. In short, each system has its own pros and cons, each of which is unique. I consider the educational program of the Moscow Architectural Institute one of the few in the world that devotes a lot of time to working with basic compositional and spatial techniques (faculty of general training), a kind of alphabet for an architect, and I will be very offended if our institute refuses this in the future. This can really be called a “trick” of MARCHI, and I really value the knowledge and skills that the teachers gave me in the first and second years.
Through my studies in Denmark, I got to know the architecture and technology of today. There are many really useful and modern books in the AAA library. I do not in the least belittle the merits of the MARCHI library, where there are a lot of unique and extremely interesting publications, but I remember a textbook on structures that we used to study - in it a very small chapter was given to monolithic reinforced concrete as a promising material …
Such different schools are similar in that it is very important to get to a really serious teacher. I am not saying at all that there are “bad” and “good” teachers in the Moscow Architectural Institute or in Aarhus. Simply due to individual characteristics, all teachers are different, each of them has his own unique experience and professional point of view. It is important for me to "get along" with the teacher, to be with him, as it were, on the same wavelength, to talk on equal terms. Therefore, I believe that the leading teacher largely determines the mood in the group, draws the attention of students to certain aspects. You can find such "your" teacher absolutely anywhere, it is absolutely not necessary to go abroad for this. However, the European education system literally prohibits its students from sitting in one place and in every possible way encourages "student migration" in the framework of higher education. I think this is an extremely useful experience, since every city, every country is different from each other, and in any place you will find something interesting, special. So, if there is an opportunity, and no matter how you like everything at home, a trip abroad will undoubtedly be an interesting and rewarding experience and a serious expansion of your horizons.
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- Of course, studying at the Aarhus School of Architecture changed the vision of the entire design process in general. It became clear how to lead the project and evolve in the process of working on it. The discovery was the variety of options for the material embodiment of projects, which means that one and the same architectural problem can be solved in hundreds of ways, and you choose which way to go. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to combine two approaches: the Moscow Architectural Institute and the Aarhus School of Architecture. Because our school complements the foreign one, but does not replace it in any way.
Would you recommend Aarhus school for other Russian students?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- I studied abroad only in Aarhus, so it is quite difficult for me to recommend it. Nevertheless, I strongly advise you to spend some time at AAA. In addition, Denmark has modern architecture, high quality environment, friendly attitude of local residents.
There is also an architectural school at the Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, but when I was in my 5th year at Moscow Architectural Institute, no cooperation agreement was signed with it. And, to be honest, I liked Aarhus so much that I would no doubt choose it again. Although it is the next largest city in Denmark after the capital, it is more correct to call it a “big village”: there are so many parks, squares, public spaces and so comfortable buildings there.
However, if we talk about studying, you must also bear in mind that all teachers are different and it is important to get to a professional who turns out to be a really good teacher. For example, in our group there were three teachers, each of whom led several students. And Inge Westergaard, who “led” me in the first semester, an architect with rich experience, in my opinion, was a cut above her two colleagues in terms of teaching.
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- I recommend the Danish school. First, it is very important to find out what design tasks are set in a society with a higher standard of living than ours. Secondly, it is very cool to be imbued with new design methods, and, of course, just to live in Denmark: the environment there is extremely comfortable for a person.
If you could go back in time, how would you organize the process of learning architecture for yourself?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- I am very pleased with the way my education has developed. MARCHI gave me an excellent base, AAA taught me how to make real architecture. Now, I am absolutely sure that I would not want to study only abroad, just as I do not regret for a second about the time I spent in Aarhus. On the other hand, if you work abroad, then, most likely, a European education would perfectly prepare the student for a professional career. Studying only abroad and then working in Russia seems to me not the best option. However, if the "ground" for your future has already been prepared here, then why not. Of course, I could apply for a grant for further education in Aarhus (by the way, this is a good chance not only to study, but to live for free) and, with the consent of the Danish Ministry of Education, to stay in AAA for one more year, but I suspected, and how turned out to be in the 6th year, it is not at all unreasonable that it is not easy to find a job in Moscow that you would like. Oddly enough, hardly anyone was interested in my study abroad experience when I tried to get a job …
I really respect my profession. Perhaps my enthusiastic idea of architecture is still rather naive, but I believe that an architect is changing the world for the better and I do not lose hope that in our country the quality of the environment will, at least slowly, rise.
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- In general, I do not consider it correct to argue about how everything would have turned out if it was possible to return to the past. You shouldn't regret anything and waste your emotional energy on memories of the past and mistakes made. Everything turned out in the best way for me and only I bear responsibility for myself and for my choice.
What are you doing now?
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- Work inspires me when I can say about my project: "Yes, this is exactly what you need!" Unfortunately, due to the peculiarities of the company in which I work, my proposals do not always reach implementation, and the most offensive in such a situation is the absence of any constructive comments. The director just says he doesn't like it, period. Nevertheless, I managed to participate in some large projects and, moreover, significantly influence them, set a concept. I consider it a great success that I managed to get a job in conceptual design - this is really what I would like to do. However, there are not enough orders to constantly work only on concepts. When the schedule requires it, I sit down to both drawing and working, which is also a great experience. Along the way, I get acquainted with the stages of project production and with the entire internal "kitchen".
To make the work more enjoyable, and, of course, money, Zhenya and I realized that there was only one thing left for us to do - to try to break through ourselves and open our own business, where you communicate directly with the customer without intermediaries and decide how to build the design process. Our
CLIC participates in various competitions, develops concepts and projects. By the way, after studying in Denmark, we have enough contacts left, and now we are working with a Danish architectural firm, where one of our classmates from Aarhus works.
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- In 2014, Kostya and I decided to unite in the CLIC architectural studio. In parallel with the main place of work, we develop our business by participating in competitions and private projects. Our studio took third place in the all-Russian competition for the art object of the Lukoil headquarters. We made this project together with friends from Denmark - Brink Brandenburg company. Our country house project is now in the process of being implemented. Our project of the arcade of the White Gardens business center was included in the short list of this competition. Your architectural business allows you to look at the entire design process from a completely different perspective, compared to working for hire. You are responsible for everything, and this is very conducive to self-organization, stimulates quality results.
Give advice to an aspiring architect
Konstantin Dushkevich:
- Look around - architecture is practically everything that surrounds us, and it simply cannot but influence people. Just imagine how powerful architecture is and what you can do with it. Use this. Inspire people with your projects.
Evgeny Chebyshev:
- The main advice for a novice architect, perhaps, will be to start practicing and building as soon as possible. Probably, only an architect whose projects are being built can be considered an architect, since the space for searches is huge, but in order to realize the plan, a lot of knowledge, skills and strength of character are needed. I also really like the statement of the Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena: "There is nothing worse than giving the right answer to the wrong question." In architecture, analysis and selection of the correct method of work is very important, where the team of architects clearly sees the problem areas, the situation and the customer's requirements. Realizing the ambitions of an architect is always a compromise, and it is very important that the project remains a coherent and strong work with its own idea.
