Leading experts of design organisations, architectural bureaus, manufacturers of building and finishing materials, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the Ministry of Construction of Russia, including the Ministry of Construction and Roads of the Irkutsk Region, were gathered by the Aluminium Association for a thematic session on the AlumForum online platform. Participants of the webinar 'Eco-Friendly Innovative Aluminium Solutions for Educational Infrastructure' discussed opportunities of using aluminium in the construction of schools and kindergartens. The event was organised by the Aluminium Association and the Union of Russian Architects.
Nikolai Shumakov, President of the Union of Russian Architects, addressed the participants of the webinar with a welcoming speech. He recalled that the Build School forum has been held annually since 2017, and since 2019 – with the support of the Aluminium Association. For this period, the forum was attended by more than 10 thousand specialists, and the number of contest projects increased to 350. Architects and designers are increasingly choosing aluminium as the main structural material that finds its application in educational infrastructure facilities. Despite a 30% decline in the construction market, the consumption of aluminium structures is increasing.
Irina Kazovskaya, Co-Chair of the Aluminium Association, noted that during the international AlumForum-2019, a contest of children's works was held, where unique projects of eco-centres, eco-cities and eco-bridges were presented. This indicates the relevance of the environmental agenda, where aluminium plays a special role in ensuring sustainable development.
In 2016, a programme was launched to promote creating new places in educational institutions in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation (based on the projected need) intended until 2025. It is planned to gradually switch to one-shift learning, which will require constructing new buildings. Constructing schools under standard projects will help to solve this problem.
An expert of the Ministry of Construction of Russia spoke about advantages of standard design for aluminium structures, and noted that the legislation did not limit amendments to documents. This approach will make it possible to implement the most interesting projects in various regions of the country.
A representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia said that aluminium structures were a growth point for the construction industry. However, the potential of aluminium is not yet fully unlocked as compared to other materials. Today, the output of aluminium in Russia is as high as 4 mln tonnes, and the consumption does not exceed 1 mln tonnes. The Ministry supports the initiatives of the Aluminium Association, having included them in the aluminium industry Development p Plan for 2020–2023. The Ministry believes that the main task is to make standard as many innovative solutions for educational institutions as possible.
The speakers at the webinar agreed that aluminium would be an ideal material for modular structures, which would be especially relevant for hard-to-reach and remote regions of the country. The advantages of aluminium, such as lightness, durability and environmental friendliness, make it possible to use it in protected areas, where there are restrictions on capital construction.
Implementing resource-saving and waste-free technologies, as well as applying new construction materials create a new generation of buildings that meet all the necessary requirements, including sanitary and epidemiological ones. This, among other things, was mentioned in the presentation of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). The space of such educational institutions will be used more efficiently, which will increase the number of students 2-3 times. Energy efficiency, no toxic impurities in the composition of materials, bacteriological cleanliness of surfaces, no emissions during combustion, durability and corrosion resistance are the key qualities of aluminium and its alloys, which are especially important when constructing school and preschool education facilities.
Member companies of the Aluminium Association spoke about the practical application of aluminium solutions. MasTTech presented its developments of stained glass, facade, window and door structures, which are manufactured based on its own systems with increased thermal insulation properties and fire resistance. The implemented projects include school institutions in Naryan-Mar, Tula and Moscow. SEGAL Foundry and Extruding Plant presented a technology for cladding with linear panels that are safe to use for any building, including schools, kindergartens and medical institutions. The geography of projects covers not only Russian regions, but also Kazakhstan. Experts of Albes company paid special attention to the need for interaction of material producers with architects and customers at all project stages. Vivid examples of the company's successful activities are the Skolkovo Family Campus, Smart School in Irkutsk, Sirius Educational Centre in Sochi, Buninskie Luga School, and Khoroshevskaya Gymnasium in Moscow.
The participants of the online event praised the webinar efficiency, which made it possible to find new solutions for creating an educational environment, exchanging experience and best practices, discussing current trends and their reflection in the architecture of kindergartens and schools on one platform.
FOR REFERENCE
About AlumForum
The International Forum 'Aluminium in Construction and Architecture' (AlumForum), founded by the Aluminium Association, is held with the participation of the Union of Russian Architects and Union of Moscow Architects. The purpose of the forum is to expand opportunities for applying aluminium in the architectural and construction practice of residential, public and industrial buildings, transport infrastructure facilities. The forum is attended by heads of government agencies, business and public unions, leading Russian and foreign architects, developers and builders, manufacturers of aluminium structures and products. AlumForum was held for the first time in 2019, it gathered over 11,000 guests, about 100 companies took part in the exhibition program. The next AlumForum will be held in the Skolkovo Technology Park in September 2021.
About the BuildSchool Forum
The Build School Forum is organised by the Union of Russian Architects and Union of Moscow Architects in partnership with the Aluminium Association. The event has been held annually since 2017 and is dedicated to designing, construction, renovation, upgrading and operation of preschool and school buildings, playgrounds and children's sports facilities. The Build School Project contest shows the best designs and constructions of preschool and school buildings created by domestic and foreign architectural companies.