Lakhta Centre: Building on the Shores of Saint Petersburg

Between 2015 and 2018, I had the opportunity to be part of one of the most ambitious and iconic architectural endeavors in Europe — the Lakhta Centre in Saint Petersburg. As the Construction Site Architect with Samsung Construction and Engineering, I contributed to shaping a new symbol of modern Russia and a benchmark for sustainable, high-performance buildings.

My role was both strategic and deeply hands-on. I managed the development and coordination of conceptual, basic, and working design documentation for this 350,000 m² multifunctional development. Balancing aesthetics with functionality and constructability, required constant collaboration across international teams of architects, engineers, and contractors.

A critical part of my work was ensuring seamless coordination between the design team and on-site construction. I oversaw contractor progress, resolved technical challenges in real time, and managed the Request for Information (RFI) workflow — a vital mechanism for addressing unforeseen issues during construction.

I also led value engineering efforts, working with a dedicated team to optimize solutions that respected LEED certification requirements. Throughout the project, I ensured all documentation met local and international design codes, and I served as a key liaison between our team and the project owner, maintaining transparency, trust, and momentum.