«Iskusstvo Stroit'» ("The Art of Building") is a Nizhny Novgorod architecture and construction award presented annually to developers for professional excellence in the delivery of residential development projects. The organizer is DOMOSTROYNN.RU, a new-construction portal (part of the TsIK company). By 2026, the award had held five editions, reaching its anniversary milestone.[1]

Format and Categories

The award covers a wide range of categories. Across its various editions, entries have been judged in "Best Completed Residential Complex," "Best Landscaping Concept," "Nizhny Novgorod Residents' Choice" (a public online vote), "Residential Complex of the Year" in the comfort, business, and elite/premium segments, as well as cottage developments.[2] In 2026, new categories were added: "Residential Complex of the Year — Volga Federal District" (for projects from other regions of the Volga Federal District), "Best Urban Planning Project," and "Low-Rise Residential Complex of the Year."[1]

The expert council's decisions are supplemented by a public vote: the winner of the "Nizhny Novgorod Residents' Choice" category is determined by the number of votes cast online by residents.[1] In 2026, voting ran until September 7, and a city tour for the jury to inspect completed properties took place on August 29: the experts visited 11 residential complexes developed by nine developers and assessed architecture, landscaping, greenery, construction quality, and finishing.[3]

Expert Council

The jury includes representatives of government, heads of design organizations, architects, and academics. In 2026, the council was chaired by Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Sergey Morozov, who oversees the construction portfolio. It also included head of the Ministry of Urban Development Darya Shunayeva, her deputy Mikhail Genin, Chief Architect of the Region Sergey Popov, NNGASU Rector Dmitry Shchegolev, head of the State Heritage Protection Department Grigory Melamed, head of the department of architectural design at NNGASU Anna Gelfond, adviser to the Governor and director of the ANO "Institute for Urban Environment Development" Darya Shorina, and head of the GK Tri Sezona group Aleksandr Rostov.[1]

In connection with the expanded geography in 2026, federal experts were invited to join the council: founder of the Yevgeniy Gerasimov and Partners studio Yevgeniy Gerasimov, founder of Studio 44 bureau Nikita Yaveyn, and former Chief Architect of Moscow and architect at VEB.RF Sergey Kuznetsov.[1]

Site Events

Starting with the fifth season, the organizers have introduced an in-person project presentation format held at unconventional venues. In 2026, nominees in the "Best Landscaping Concept" category presented their projects on July 17 outdoors — at the Medvezhya Polyana ornamental plant nursery belonging to the award's title partner, GK Tri Sezona. The event drew more than a hundred attendees: developers, architects, and officials; a guided tour of the nursery was held at the same time. Chairwoman of the organizing committee Elena Dorofeyeva noted that such an in-person presentation format was being held for the first time in the award's five-year history.[4]

The city tour within the "Best Completed Residential Complex" nomination in 2026 included 11 properties: the Trio residential complex (YUNIKA), Avia na Krasnouralskoy (GK Sokolniki), Patriot (GK Agrospetstekkh), Novaya Lvovskaya (Novaya), "Sakharnyy Dol" (SZ Objectstroy), KM Timiryazevsky and KM Dom na Barminskoy (GK Karkas Monolit), the Grand Quarter Betancourt (NNDK), KD Rezidentsiya (YUNIKA), "STATUS na Chernigovskoy" (Dom Bashkirova; GloraX), and the Germes residential complex (GK Razumnye Investitsii).[3]

Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony traditionally takes place in the Heraldic Hall of the Main Building of the Nizhny Novgorod Yarmarka. In 2024, the ceremony was held on November 15 at the Premio Concert Hall.[5] The ceremony for the 2026 season is scheduled for November 13 of that year in the Heraldic Hall of the Nizhny Novgorod Yarmarka.[1][2] The general partner of the award in 2026 is GK Kronverk, and the title partner is GK Tri Sezona.[2]

Sources

  1. GIPERNN — Experts for the "Art of Building — 2026" award were presented in Nizhny Novgorod
  2. BankNN — "Residential Complex of 2026" to be selected in Nizhny Novgorod at the "Art of Building" award
  3. V gorode N — Video of the city tour for the Nizhny Novgorod "Art of Building" award published
  4. sobaka.ru — Battle in the nursery: nominees of the "Art of Building" 2026 award presented their landscaping concept projects
  5. special.domostroyrf.ru — Architectural and construction award ART OF BUILDING 2024 Nizhny Novgorod (archive)
  6. domostroynn.ru — Architectural and construction award "Art of Building" 2026 — Nizhny Novgorod (archive)
Materials from the following articles were used (1)

Darya Shunayeva's maternity leave (2026)