A folding wooden deck runs over the whole site, splitting housing from working and additional program. Private program is placed above the deck, whereas public program is located there under. Future Building Architecture allows people who do not live in the area to participate in the project too by renting an activity space on the waterfront.The activities under the deck transform the pier into a strip of communication. It is here, where public meets private!

The stunning design completed by architecture firm RMJM is about as green as it is tall. The city is also finding international resistance. St. Petersburg is currently listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, but stands to be stripped of the title if the tower is built.

Usable program area on the site is increased with shading and ventilation at outdoor spaces. Given the desire to build efficient spaces that minimized energy usage, the process focused on the most efficient organization of program or finding opportunities for mixed-use spaces. Expansion spaces and breakout spaces were defined in courtyard areas and rooftops as well as spaces serving as circulation.

A little down the hill is one of the most spectacular modern university buildings in the country – the confident and starkly beautiful Arts Tower, a 78m-high Miesian slab by GMW, completed in 1965.

The university has begun to fill in the gaps, first with a library by RMJM (the Information Commons building), facing the Brook [...]