Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design is a non-profit international educational project, founded in 2009 and located in Moscow. Strelka incorporates an education programme on urbanism and urban development aimed at professionals with a higher education, a public summer programme, the Strelka Press publishing house, and KB Strelka, the consulting arm of the Institute. Strelka has been listed among the top-100 best architecture schools in 2014, according to Domus magazine.
The Institute aims to educate the next generation of architects, designers and media professionals, enabling them to shape the 21st century world. Each year, Strelka welcomes young professionals and gives them the opportunity to work together with experts in the fields of urbanism, architecture and communications from all over the world. During this nine-month post-graduate programme, the researchers explore the issues related to Russia's urban development through a multidisciplinary method conducted in English. Experimental methods, a holistic approach to architecture, media and design, and an emphasis on research are the main characteristics of the programme. The prominent architect and architecture theorist, Rem Koolhaas (AMO/OMA), contributed to the designing of the Institute's education programme.
Since 2010, Yuri Grigoryan, architect and head of the Meganom architectural bureau, has served as director of the education programme.
Since 2012, the curriculum has been designed by two programming directors: Anastassia Smirnova – partner in the Rotterdam-based architecture and research bureau SVESMI, and David Erixon – founder of the Hyper Island school, and member of the MegaFon board of directors.
The theme, programme structure and list of lecturers are updated every year. The 2013/14 programme includes a three-month introductory course composed of discussions, lectures and seminars, an urban development contest, work in one of four research studios, and a final exhibition of student projects.
Research studios at Strelka have been directed by:
KB Strelka provides strategic consulting services in the fields of architecture and urban planning, as well as cultural and spatial programming. The company was founded in 2013 by the executive board of the Strelka Institute. KB’s method is based on the implementation of transparent competition procedures, involving international experts, forecasting of expenses, and risk analysis at the early stages of project realisation. In 2013, KB organised several key international competitions for Russia: Zaryadye Park, the National Centre for Contemporary Arts, the Museum and Educational Centre of the Polytechnic Museum and Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the International Financial Centre in Rublyovo-Arkhangelskoye.