Architectural tour of Milan was presented to students of the Donbass by the Borys Kolesnikov Fund

From March 12 to March 15, Ukrainian students spent unforgettable days in the northern capital of Italy. The trip was organized by the Borys Kolesnikov Charity Fund as part of the “Architect-2019” educational project.

The winners of the competition – thirty students from nine universities in Ukraine – visited the leading trade show Made Expo 2019 and saw how an alliance of cutting-edge design and historical architecture can look like. Among the finalists of the project “Architect – 2019” there are representatives of the Donetsk region. These are the students of the Donbas National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture – Olga Milinteeva, Victoria Sikan and Artur Sukov.

At the exhibition, the students enjoyed viewing unusual exhibits and had a lively conversation with experienced professionals. The guys learned about innovative building materials and paints, organic and ecological interiors, modern software and hardware.

Visiting the exhibition was not the only reward for talented students. At the initiative of Borys Kolesnikov, the future specialists were organized a two-day architectural tour of the most famous objects in Milan, accompanied by guides and Italian architects Francesco Acerbi and Pierrefrances Sacerdoti.

Arco della Pace, Parco Sempione, La Scala Opera Theater, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza del Duomo, Basilica Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, the modern district of City Life skyscrapers – the students could not only see these and other architectural masterpieces, but also learn the details and features of their construction .  

“This is just a unique experience,” – Artur Sukov says. – Particularly impressed by the unusual forms of modern high-rise, how harmoniously everything is interconnected: aesthetic design and practical application are thought out to the last detail. This result is a synergy of creativity and innovation, which is simply breathtaking!

- I want to constantly say: “Pinch me to understand that this is not a dream!” – Victoria Sikan laughs, - I still cannot believe that all this happens to me and this is real! Milan is inspiring and I will certainly take a piece of this wonderful city with me! Probably every architect dreams of being here – from a beginner to a professional. Many thanks to the Fund for giving us such a chance!

Olga Milinteeva fully shares the emotions of her fellow students.

- Milan is one of the few cities where you can see the architecture of different eras: from the depth of the ages to the present times. It is here that the objects to which the attention of world architects is compelled. For example, a skyscraper with vertical gardens is just a miracle, you cannot say otherwise. After all you have seen, you understand what to strive for in your future profession!

- Milan is the cultural and architectural center of Italy. Over four days, our winners saw environmental and innovative building solutions, touched monuments with ancient history. Future experts were able to adopt best practices in the famous architectural and design bureau of Italy – One Works, to communicate with one of the managing partners, Leonardo Cavalli. The guys also visited the European Institute of Design IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) – the leading university in Europe in the field of fashion, design, visual art and communications, as well as attended specialized classes.

Today we give young people new knowledge and motivation, and tomorrow it will construct original buildings and create new cities,” – Sofia Mudryk, the director of the Borys Kolesnikov Charity Fund, emphasized.