Draft:SVESMI

SVESMI is a Dutch architectural, urban planning, and educational bureau.

SVESMI explores the role and potential of the architectural profession in the era of rapid technological progress, considering the possibility of radical climate change and depletion of natural resources. With experience in harsh northern conditions, the bureau has its own network of specialists in climate-specific design and continually expands its expertise in this field.

In its daily practice, SVESMI deals with a wide range of tasks, from architecture and urban planning to research projects and development of educational programs. Special attention is given to the preservation, restoration, and reprogramming of existing structures - both cultural heritage sites and buildings lacking obvious public value.

The SVESMI team works for municipalities, educational and cultural institutions, as well as private enterprises, helping clients effectively formulate tasks. Additionally, SVESMI founders initiate their own projects based on research and exploratory project exploration of specific contexts and situations, finding investors and forming user communities for specific cases.

Since 2007, SVESMI has operated in Rotterdam, where the founders, architect Alexander Sverdlov and researcher Anastasia Smirnova, began their work. Initially focused on the Dutch market, the bureau quickly expanded its activities beyond the Netherlands, executing projects for various clients and institutions in Russia and other countries. In addition to architectural and urban planning projects, SVESMI conducts research on the development of modern cities, analyzes existing urban situations, develops modernization programs, and creates new functional models for cultural and public institutions.

Services

 * Architectural Design: SVESMI is involved in building design and urban planning.
 * Research: The company conducts research projects and curatorial programs.
 * Consulting: SVESMI provides consulting services for cultural and public institutions.

Early days
Architect Alexander Sverdlov and designer/researcher Anastasia Smirnova-Berlin founded it in 2007 to initiate and realize projects across disciplinary, national, and cultural frontiers, bringing together a broad variety of experts interested in responsible space production.

Expansion to Moscow
SVESMI opened an office in Moscow in 2012. Maria Kataryan and Pavel Rueda became partners and played a key role in establishing SVESMI's Moscow office, where they dedicated six years of their expertise. During this period, the Moscow branch collaborated on revitalizing Moscow's district library network alongside Boris Kupriyanov and Natalia Fishman. Recognizing the potential for cultural enrichment, Sergey Kapkov, the then-head of the Department of Culture, supported their efforts. The initial pilot libraries, once tired and underutilized spaces, blossomed into some of the most frequented destinations in Europe.

In addition to cultural initiatives, SVESMI's Moscow branch engaged in research on housing construction and urban planning. The office expanded its portfolio to include projects for developers such as LSR and Brusnika, further contributing to Moscow's urban landscape.

In late 2018, both partners departed from SVESMI due to disagreements regarding the bureau's developmental trajectory, subsequently founding their independent architectural practice.

Notable Projects
The company has worked on a diverse range of projects, including residential homes, museums, libraries, cultural centers, and exhibitions.


 * House Amsterdam
 * European Riverfront
 * Cinema Reconstruction
 * Dostoevsky Library
 * Office-Parking Complex "Skala"
 * School in Microdistrict "Eurobereg"
 * Prospekt Library (in collaboration with BUROMOSCOW)