HSE University-St Petersburg to Open Modern Educational Space in Historical Rope Shop Building
On January 25, Russian Students' Day, HSE University-St Petersburg will open a new educational space in the building of the Rope Shop of the Red Nailer factory on Vasilievsky Island. The monument of constructivism, which was designed by the prominent architect Yakov Chernikhov, will become a centre for the development of IT, engineering, design and media communications. Approximately four thousand students will study in the building.
The new HSE University-St Petersburg building will open with a large cultural and educational marathon. On Russian Students' Day, the historical building of the Rope Shop (Kanatny Tsekh) will host lectures, discussions, exhibitions, performances and presentations of creative projects. Famous figures in science and art will hold workshops and share their success stories alongside representatives of business and government. The marathon, which will feature leading academic experts, representatives of science, culture and industry and a special guest star, will take place both in person and in the form of an online live stream exclusively on VK Video. VK will be a partner of the event. The details and the marathon programme will be available in the HSE University-St Petersburg group on VK.
Anna Tyshetskaya
Director of HSE University-St Petersburg
HSE University-St Petersburg is starting a new tradition—celebrating Russian Students' Day with a cultural and educational marathon where everyone can learn something new and try their hand in different areas—from IT to sketching. Together with our friends and partners, we have prepared an interesting and eventful programme which guests will definitely remember for a long time. Opening a new university building will surely be the nicest present.
The reconstructed building of the Rope Shop now has laboratories, manufacturing and coworking spaces, classrooms and representative offices of HSE University-St Petersburg's partners. From their first year of studies, students will gain skills in working on real-life projects and dive into the corporate culture of leading Russian companies, including VK, Biocad, t2, Yadro, 1C, Yandex, Gazprom Neft, Lesta Games, RBC, and others.
'Over the next three years, HSE University-St Petersburg plans to nearly double the number of students, so expansion of infrastructure is one of our key tasks. The new educational space in the historical building of the Red Nailer factory will become a real driver of the university’s development. In 2025, HSE University-St Petersburg will launch more than ten new programmes and majors, among which are telecommunications, theoretical and applied mechanics, history of art, architecture, and computer game development. Together with our industrial partners, students will master highly sought-after disciplines in the spheres of data analysis, artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, engineering, design, and others. For HSE University-St Petersburg, it is vital not only to train the best personnel for the Russian economy but also to raise the quality of research, bringing our country closer to full technological and intellectual sovereignty,' Anna Tyshetskaya highlighted.
Part of the space in the new building on Vasilievsky Island will be occupied by an architecture museum devoted to the creator of the Rope Shop. Together with the Architectural Charity Foundation named after Yakov Chernikhov, HSE University-St Petersburg will implement new awareness-raising and educational projects. The opening day will feature an exhibition of Yakov Chernikhov's architectural fantasies: unique graphic artworks that served as the basis for study guides and earned him worldwide fame.
The Rope Shop of the Red Nailer factory was built in 1931, and the building was declared a cultural heritage site of regional significance. The centrepiece of the complex is a water tower standing 30 metres high.
In 2021, the Setl Group holding began reconstructing the Rope Shop, preserving the historical appearance of the building. The building was adjusted for modern usage: inside, they fitted a bright atrium and installed a lift inside the water tower. In December 2024, the Worldwide Petersburgers Club included the Rope Shop in its St Petersburg 'White Book' and awarded it a Certification Mark in the Restoration of Architectural Monuments category.
Maxim Shubarev
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Setl Group holding, Member of the Board of Trustees of HSE University-St Petersburg
I am glad that the Rope Shop reconstructed by our holding will serve the purposes of education, science, and enlightenment. This building—a world-known monument of constructivism—is best suited for training students at one of the leading educational institutions in Russia. I am sure that our long-term fruitful cooperation with HSE University will continue, and real talents grow inside these walls.