Belarus’s main architectural award was received by a project involving the destruction of historical barracks in Hrodna. Who else was recognized? MANY PHOTOS

Project for the reconstruction of the former imperial barracks buildings into the residential quarter “Aliaksandraŭski”, which received the Grand Prix of the competition despite no reconstruction taking place — the historical buildings were demolished by an excavator.

The festival gathered leading specialists and young authors, bringing together exhibitions, master classes, presentations, and a series of creative competitions under one roof. The main event was the XXII Republican Competition for the Best Architectural Project and Construction, the results of which were summarized at the Republican House of Architects.

This year, more than 100 works from all over the country participated in the competition. The jury was headed by Aliaksandr Aksentsieu, chief architect of “Minskgrad”; the composition also included Ivan Vinahradau, director of “TMV Project”; Aliaksandr Tsaltsou, deputy director for architecture at “Minskhradziangprajekt”; Siarhei Tishkevich, deputy director for design at “Homielprajekt”; and Mikalai Ulasiuk, chief architect of Brest region.

Winners in each nomination and section are awarded first and second-degree diplomas. Depending on the number and quality of submitted projects, the jury may not award prizes in certain nominations or may award two diplomas of a certain degree at once. The best of all submitted works receives the Grand Prix of the competition.

The main award of the competition is traditionally given to two works: the Grand Prix (large) for a completed construction, and the Grand Prix (small) for a project.

Grand Prix

The jury decided to award the Grand Prix (large), which was not awarded at all in 2023, to the Alutech Engineering and Technical Center, built using Astron rapid steel building technology. It is located in Minsk’s Shabanai district, in the industrial zone on Sialitskaha Street.

Alutech Engineering and Technical Center

Alutech Engineering and Technical Center

It was designed by the Belarusian bureau Viaset (architects Drazhyn, Herus, Rakhmanko, Nikitsenka, Mitsko, Piatrouski, Pishchalau) in partnership with the German company Architekten Wannenmacher + Möller GmbH (architect Wannenmacher).

Last year, this object received the Grand Prix and a gold medal at the XXXII International Review Competition of the International Association of Unions of Architects (MASA).

To justify the destruction of the barracks on Shchorsa Street, the developer made brick inserts that do not even attempt to match the historical appearance. Photo: Auto Hrodna

The Small Grand Prix was awarded to the project for the reconstruction of the former imperial barracks buildings into the residential quarter “Aliaksandraŭski” in Hrodna, created by the creative team of Brest’s “Paliessiezhyllbud”, which included architects Kuzmuk, Yakaniuk, Hniadzko, Suraviets, and Tkaciuk.

This object was also awarded last year at the MASA review-competition with a first-degree diploma among projects in the “Architectural Heritage” nomination — which seems like a genuine mockery, because

according to the project, the architectural heritage — two historical 19th-century barracks — was completely destroyed after the developer obtained all necessary approvals.

Demolition of the first barracks on Shchorsa Street, 2. Photo: Urban Hrodna

Urban Planning. Urban Planning Concepts, Complexes, and Development Projects

Completed Constructions:

Residential area on Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk from a bird’s-eye view

Residential buildings in the residential area on Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk.

Master plan scheme for the residential area on Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk.

First-degree diploma — group of multi-story residential buildings in the area of Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk — creative team of “Airana”: Yeliseyeu, Yahorau, Sierabro, Piatrenka, Lushchyk, Sidzkova, Valiantsinava, Kramko, Barysavets, Fiodarau, and Rusak.

South-Western Residential Area No. 1 in Brest

South-Western Residential Area No. 1 in Brest

Second-degree diploma — development of the South-Western Residential Area No. 1 in Brest — creative team of “Brestprajekt”: Tamasheuski, Kacurka.

No other projects were submitted in this nomination.

Projects:

Second-degree diploma — Bcs Sports Football Academy in the city of Acapiara (Brazil) — creative team of “4th Quarter” studio: Trusau, Sidzielnika, Novikava.

Bcs Sports Football Academy in the city of Acapiara

Bcs Sports Football Academy in the city of Acapiara

The project dates back to 2023, but the client is the Belarusian company “Sports Developments”, which was established only at the beginning of 2024. Last year, it was looking for a polyglot who was fluent in English, German, Portuguese, and Serbian, offering 14000‑22700 rubles per month.

Public Buildings and StructuresUnique, Multifunctional, Cultural and Mass Objects

Completed Constructions:

Public-administrative center in the area of Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk

Public-administrative center in the area of Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk

First-degree diploma — public-administrative center in the area of Navavilenskaya Street in Minsk — creative team of “Airana”: Lushchyk, Sierabro, Saroka.

Minsk International Exhibition Center

Minsk International Exhibition Center

Second-degree diploma — Minsk International Exhibition Center in the “Paunočny Bierah” (Northern Shore) complex — creative team of “Erker Group”: Mikhalap, Ahurtsou, Vasilyeva, Pavar. The client was “Riverside Development Limited”.

Projects:

Project of a visitor center in Preikestolen (Norway)

Project of a visitor center in Preikestolen (Norway)

Project of a visitor center in Preikestolen (Norway)

First-degree diploma — project of a visitor center in Preikestolen (Norway) — creative team of “Arktik”: Tatsiana Kieskievich, Yauhen Liashuk, Admir Cherimagich.

The project, commissioned by the Preikestolen Foundation, is conceived as a lightweight wooden structure that organically integrates into the mountain landscape and serves as a space for recreation and nature observation without disturbing its natural rhythm.

Project of the Georgian Cultural Center “Georgia” on Filimonava Street in Minsk

Project of the Georgian Cultural Center “Georgia” on Filimonava Street in Minsk

Second-degree diploma — project of the Georgian Cultural Center “Georgia” on Filimonava Street in Minsk — creative team of “PGP”: Pliusnin, Haurikau, Navazhylau, Labkovich.

The building is to be located in the park of the Slepianka water system, where the Azerbaijani Trade House has already been built nearby. A green roof is intended to legitimize the development of a green zone in the capital, but no one can guarantee that it will not be suddenly abandoned during construction.

Commercial, Office, Administrative Buildings

Completed Constructions:

Building on Vialikaja Trajeckaja Street, 25 in Hrodna

Building on Vialikaja Trajeckaja Street, 25 in Hrodna

Building on Vialikaja Trajeckaja Street, 25 in Hrodna

First-degree diploma — public building on Vialikaja Trajeckaja Street, 25 in Hrodna — creative team of “Intielstok Inzhynirynh”: Varabiej, Zhuk.

The building is notable for having received several so-called fake awards (vanity awards) — prizes that operate on a “pay to win” principle.

In the summer of 2024, it was reported that the mentioned projects received a silver award at the International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA).

In April 2025, the company announced its victory in the Arch Design Award 2025 in the architectural design nomination, and in May of the same year — a new victory in IADA, but this time in the category of completed construction.

“Chervienski” Shopping and Entertainment Center in Minsk

“Chervienski” Shopping and Entertainment Center in Minsk

“Chervienski” Shopping and Entertainment Center in Minsk

Second-degree diploma — “Chervienski” Shopping and Entertainment Center at the intersection of Mayakoŭskaha and Aranskaja streets in Minsk — creative team of “Minskhradziangprajekt”: Ivashka, Silivionak, Kutyla, Lukichava, Shpakouskaya, Karatoutsava, Audzieyenka, Rudzich.

Projects:

Project of a public building on Budzionnaha Street, 52 in Hrodna

Project of a public building on Budzionnaha Street, 52 in Hrodna

Project of a public building on Budzionnaha Street, 52 in Hrodna

First-degree diploma — project of a public building on Budzionnaha Street, 52 in Hrodna — creative team of “Intielstok Inzhynirynh”: Varabiej, Zhuk.

Public object in the area of the Minsk Ring Road interchange

Public object in the area of the Minsk Ring Road interchange

Public object in the area of the Minsk Ring Road interchange

Second-degree diploma — public object in the area of the Minsk Ring Road interchange — Dauhinava Tract in Minsk — creative team of “ProjectGarantEngineering”: Nadzieja Bayaryna, Kanstantsin Savin, Yaroslau Taranaǔ, Valery Marozau, Siarhei Miatsielitsa.

The object, with an area of 2400 m², designed for transit traffic and local residents, combines shops, a cafe, a fitness center, and order pickup points. According to the description, the architecture creates a smooth transition from private development to urban space and becomes a distinct accent on the exit highway.

Educational and Medical Institutions

Completed Constructions:

Medical building for emergency cardiosurgical and cerebrovascular pathology in Mahilioŭ

Medical building for emergency cardiosurgical and cerebrovascular pathology in Mahilioŭ

Medical building for emergency cardiosurgical and cerebrovascular pathology in Mahilioŭ

First-degree diploma — medical building for emergency cardiosurgical and cerebrovascular pathology in Mahilioŭ — creative team of “Mahilioŭhramadziangprajekt”: Rahautsjou, Ivanova, Sivakova, Stsiatsiuk, Navichenka, Staravoitava, Rybakova, Korzun.

The new emergency surgery building in Mahilioŭ is a multi-level building of variable height (4–8 floors) with an inner courtyard and a technical attic. It has two main entrances and combines operating rooms, wards, and diagnostic departments.

According to the description, the building organically fits into the urban landscape and is visible from the Dnieper, creating a distinct accent in the city center. This untruthfully describes a situation where, for the construction of this object in the historical center of Mahilioŭ, all historical buildings of the city hospital were destroyed without study, and the new building rises with a blank wall over two buildings that are recognized as official architectural monuments.

Kindergarten-Primary School in Sluck

Kindergarten-Primary School in Sluck

Second-degree diploma — kindergarten-primary school in Sluck — creative team of “Minskhradziangprajekt”: Laŭrynovich, Tsyyonskaya, Kudrytskaya, Barykina, Kaksharava.

Projects:

Multi-profile inpatient facility with 419 beds in Nakhodka (Russia)

Multi-profile inpatient facility with 419 beds in Nakhodka (Russia)

Second-degree diploma — multi-profile inpatient facility with 419 beds in Nakhodka (Russia) — creative team of “Bieldziarzhprajekt”: Kaminskaya, Skrobat, Hryshchankova, Khudysh, Poliaka. This was the only project submitted in this nomination.

Residential BuildingsMulti-story (more than three floors)

Completed Constructions:

24-story residential building in the 18th microdistrict of Homiel

First-degree diploma — 24-story residential building in the 18th microdistrict of Homiel — creative team of “Homielprajekt”: Bieltsiukova, Karpienka, Puzeyeu, Kuzkin, Kapacova.

Terraced multi-apartment building on Pskouskaya Street, 12 in Minsk

Terraced multi-apartment building on Pskouskaya Street, 12 in Minsk

Second-degree diploma — terraced multi-apartment building on Pskouskaya Street, 12 in Minsk — architects Trusau, Shauchenka.

Projects:

Residential building on Famin Street, 21 in Brest

Residential building on Famin Street, 21 in Brest

First-degree diploma — residential building on Famin Street, 21 in Brest — creative team of “Paliessiezhyllbud”: Kuzmuk, Yakaniuk, Hniadzko, Suraviets, Tkaciuk.

Residential building on Mašerava Avenue in Brest

Residential building on Mašerava Avenue in Brest

Residential building on Mašerava Avenue in Brest

Second-degree diploma — residential building on Mašerava Avenue in Brest — creative team of “AiranInvestProject”: Kashanski, Yahorau, Kazlova, Rynkovich.

Single-family and Low-rise (1-3 floors)

Completed Constructions:

Cottage on Chaikouskaha Street, 49 in Minsk

Cottage on Chaikouskaha Street, 49 in Minsk

First-degree diploma — cottage on Chaikouskaha Street, 49 in Minsk — architects Trusau, Antaniuk.

“House on the Edge of the Field”

“House on the Edge of the Field”

Plan of “House on the Edge of the Field”

Second-degree diploma — “House on the Edge of the Field” — architect of “AS+SA” Andrey Salaviou.

No other projects were submitted in this nomination.

Projects:

“H I House”

“H I House”

“H I House”

“H I House”

First-degree diploma — “H I House” — creative team of “Kub” Architecture and Design Bureau: Viktar Yurko, Andrey Dranevich.

House and canopy in the “Dubrava-Mikhalin” garden partnership in Brest district

House and canopy in the “Dubrava-Mikhalin” garden partnership in Brest district

House and canopy in the “Dubrava-Mikhalin” garden partnership in Brest district

Second-degree diploma — house and canopy in the “Dubrava-Mikhalin” garden partnership in Brest district — Martynau’s Architectural Workshop: Martynau, Dziamchuk.

Reconstruction of Buildings and Structures

Completed Constructions:

Regeneration of the Rakaŭskaje suburb territory with the reconstruction of Bakery No. 1

Regeneration of the Rakaŭskaje suburb territory with the reconstruction of Bakery No. 1

Regeneration of the Rakaŭskaje suburb territory with the reconstruction of Bakery No. 1

First-degree diploma — regeneration of the Rakaŭskaje suburb territory with the reconstruction of Bakery No. 1 — creative team of “Minskprajekt”: Perlina, Khvoryk, Urban, Dziatko, Kutsienka, Kusiankova.

Reconstruction and restoration of “Piaramoha” Cinema in Minsk

Reconstruction and restoration of “Piaramoha” Cinema in Minsk

Reconstruction and restoration of “Piaramoha” Cinema in Minsk

Reconstruction and restoration of “Piaramoha” Cinema in Minsk

First-degree diploma (two diplomas were awarded — NN) — reconstruction and restoration of “Piaramoha” Cinema in Minsk — creative team of “Minskhradziangprajekt”: Lakotka, Sanina, Halitskaya, Lyhina, Lary, Yanush, Bykava, Budnik, Yacheyka, Karol, scientific director Vashkievich.

Refectory in the Savior-Euphrosyne Monastery in Polatsk

Refectory in the Savior-Euphrosyne Monastery in Polatsk

Refectory in the Savior-Euphrosyne Monastery in Polatsk

Second-degree diploma — refectory in the Savior-Euphrosyne Monastery in Polatsk — creative team of “Minskhradziangprajekt”: Danilenka, Kratovich, Audzieyenka.

Projects:

Reconstruction of the facades of the administrative and amenities building of the “MAV” factory in Dziarzhynsk

Reconstruction of the facades of the administrative and amenities building of the “MAV” factory in Dziarzhynsk

Second-degree diploma — reconstruction of the facades of the administrative and amenities building of the “MAV” factory in Dziarzhynsk — creative team of “ProjectGarantEngineering”: Nadzieja Bayaryna, Yaroslau Taranaǔ, Valery Marozau, Siarhei Miatsielitsa.

Landscape Architecture and Street Design

Projects:

Environmental design of the “Levada” residential complex

Environmental design of the “Levada” residential complex

Environmental design of the “Levada” residential complex

First-degree diploma — environmental design of the “Levada” residential complex — creative team: Lidziya Liesniakova, Volha Hiermanava, Liubou Shydlouskaya, Iryna Bandarovich.

Embankment improvement concept in Hrodna

Embankment improvement concept in Hrodna

Embankment improvement concept in Hrodna

Second-degree diploma — embankment improvement concept in Hrodna — creative team of “Intielstok Inzhynirynh”: Varabiej, Zhuk.

InteriorsInteriors of Public, Administrative, and Industrial Objects

Completed Constructions:

Interior of “SH03. School of Talents” in Novaya Borovaya

Interior of “SH03. School of Talents” in Novaya Borovaya

Interior of “SH03. School of Talents” in Novaya Borovaya

Interior of “SH03. School of Talents” in Novaya Borovaya

Second-degree diploma — “SH03. School of Talents” in Novaya Borovaya — creative team of “Pototskaya Architects”: Patotskaya, Plaksa, Baranouskaya, Loś.

The school’s interiors are built on principles of openness, light, and freedom of action: large glass surfaces, rich colors, and multifunctional spaces support the idea that “talent is in every movement”.

Projects:

Interior of a Moscow Metro station

Interior of a Moscow Metro station

First-degree diploma — interior of a Moscow Metro station — creative team of “Masinzhprajekt” and “Metrainzhprajekt” institutes: Tsialiapniova, Prasolau, Vasilyeu.

Restoration of the Lošyca estate buildings.

Restoration of the Lošyca estate buildings.

Second-degree diploma — restoration of the Lošyca estate buildings on Chyževač Street, 17 and Chyževač Lane, 5 and 6 — creative team of “Minskhradziangprajekt”: Lakotka, Sanina, Halitskaya, Lyhina, Lary, Yanush, Bykava, Budnik, Yacheyka, Karol, scientific director Vashkievich.

Interiors of Residential Premises

Completed Constructions:

Interior of “Dziadovy zhoran”

Interior of “Dziadovy zhoran”

First-degree diploma — interior of “Dziadovy zhoran” — architect Trusau.

Interior of an apartment in the “Depo” residential complex

Interior of an apartment in the “Depo” residential complex

Second-degree diploma — interior of an apartment in the “Depo” residential complex — creative team of “I-Project”: Ihatsieyeu, Bykau.

Projects:

Apartment design project on Hohol Street, 91 in Brest

Apartment design project on Hohol Street, 91 in Brest

Second-degree diploma — apartment design project on Hohol Street, 91 in Brest — Martynau’s Architectural Workshop: Martynau, Hrynjoŭ.

Industrial Complexes, Buildings, and Structures

Projects:

Concept for the development of the territory on Sofii Kavaleuskai Lane, 46 in Minsk

Concept for the development of the territory on Sofii Kavaleuskai Lane, 46 in Minsk

Second-degree diploma — concept for the development of the territory on Sofii Kavaleuskai Lane, 46 in Minsk — ATM Architectural Creative Workshop: Shchapiła.

Scientific and production facility on Kizhavatava Street in Minsk

Scientific and production facility on Kizhavatava Street in Minsk

Scientific and production facility on Kizhavatava Street in Minsk

Second-degree diploma — scientific and production facility on Kizhavatava Street in Minsk — creative team of “ProjectGarantEngineering”: Nadzieja Bayaryna, Kanstantsin Savin, Yaroslau Taranaǔ, Valery Marozau, Siarhei Miatsielitsa.

In the “Restoration” nomination, the jury did not award any diplomas this year, although three projects were submitted. A similar situation occurred in the “Monumental Art” nomination — only one work was submitted for the competition, so no awards were given.

This is quite telling: in two years in these fields, not enough completed projects or realized objects worthy of being presented to the jury of a national competition were found.

All projects, including those that did not place, can be viewed in the archive of the Belarusian Union of Architects.

As before, the quality of works varies greatly: winners in some nominations appear much weaker than projects that were not recognized by the jury in other nominations. In some nominations, there is a lack of any competition year after year, while other winners could only be recognized in Belarus for lack of a better option.

Despite Belarus being a large European country where construction is actively underway, architecture here is often perceived not as one of the main arts, but as a section of a construction project — with a set of drawings for nodes and layouts, but without image, idea, or sense of space.

Therefore, the artistic value of most buildings in Belarus rarely reaches a level where they are truly not shameful to look at, even rarer — when they are not shameful to award.