Five Urban Trends Shaping Russia - Insights from Five Years of CENTER LAB

On April 7, the International Urban Laboratory LLC “CENTER LAB” marks its anniversary. In just five years, it has evolved from an analytical unit into a key player driving urban transformation across Russian cities and regions. Its portfolio has become a reference point for contemporary urban practice – including eight competitions, five master plans and an equal number of large-scale research projects.

Marking the milestone, the Laboratory outlines five trends that are reshaping the country’s urban agenda.

Revival of Timber Construction
One of the Laboratory’s early projects in 2021 was a nationwide competition for standard housing designs using timber structures. The scope ranged from individual housing to multi-family buildings and social infrastructure such as schools and kindergartens. The result was a curated base of scalable solutions.
Today, entire neighborhoods are being developed using timber panels, and as of April 2026, regulations allow the construction of multi-storey wooden residential buildings of up to five floors. This signals a broader shift toward sustainable materials as a growth driver in construction.

Rising Demand for Landmark Architecture in the Regions
In 2022, an international competition was completed for the new building of the Kamal Tatar State Theatre – with LLC “CENTER LAB” acting as operator. By 2025, the completed project, designed by a consortium led by the Russian bureau Wowhaus with participation from Kengo Kuma & Associates, became a national landmark.
Similar developments – including the “Olonkho Land” cultural cluster in Yakutia and reinterpretations of Chechen tower architecture – reflect a growing demand for iconic, identity-driven projects beyond major metropolitan centers.

Rising Demand for Landmark Architecture in the Regions
In 2022, an international competition was completed for the new building of the Kamal Tatar State Theatre – with LLC “CENTER LAB” acting as operator. By 2025, the completed project, designed by a consortium led by the Russian bureau Wowhaus with participation from Kengo Kuma & Associates, became a national landmark.
Similar developments – including the “Olonkho Land” cultural cluster in Yakutia and reinterpretations of Chechen tower architecture – reflect a growing demand for iconic, identity-driven projects beyond major metropolitan centers.

Shift Away from Standardized Solutions
In 2024, LLC “CENTER LAB” released a large-scale study, “Public Spaces in Northern Cities,” covering 141 settlements. The research identified structural challenges of designing urban environments under extreme climatic conditions.
The key insight – such environments require tailored, context-specific solutions. The study has been widely adopted as a practical guide for urban practitioners and policymakers, reinforcing a shift toward customized approaches in spatial development.

Focus on Domestic Tourism
In 2025, the Laboratory completed the first sectoral master plan at the regional level – the tourism master plan of the Republic of Khakassia. The strategy includes 75 investment projects designed to position the region as a year-round destination and double tourist flows.
Domestic tourism continues to gain momentum, with its contribution to GDP exceeding 3%, according to the Ministry of Economic Development – positioning it as a critical growth driver for regional economies.

Bonus Trend – Modernization of Scientific Infrastructure
One of the most significant upcoming projects in 2026 is the competition for the architectural concept of the Federal Research Center for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies. The project is expected to deliver a new symbol of Russian science in Moscow – combining functionality with a strong architectural identity.
This initiative reflects a broader trend of upgrading scientific and educational infrastructure nationwide – from major academic campuses in Moscow to regional universities across the country.

“Five years is enough to move beyond the startup phase while remaining flexible and open to innovation. For us, this is not just a milestone – it validates our approach. Our role is not to advise, but to drive real change. Competitions, master plans and research are tools. The goal is clear – cities people choose to live in,”
— Ketevan Khelaia, Co-founder and CEO of LLC “CENTER LAB”