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Student Charette —
a student competition in the format of a claussure, or rapid sketch, that was held as part of ARCHICA from 2016 to 2026
Claussure (from Italian "chiusura and Latin "claudere", meaning "to close") is a specific type of architectural exercise that originated in the sixteenth century, when students used to get locked in solitary confinement for 2-6 hours to work on project sketches. ARCHICA did not lock up students, but unleashed their creative energy through the flexibility, resourcefulness and improvisation inherent in this popular format.

For the duration of several hours, participants competed in creating a conceptual project on a given topic (the topic would be revealed at the competition). They worked in teams of 4-6 people and used only their knowledge and skills to develop an innovative and unique solution. Each team got the same task, and they had 4 hours to complete it.


Teams had to create projects that were not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, environmentally sustainable and up-to-date. During the competition, teams received advice from professional observers from the world of architecture, who helped them improve their designs. At the end of the competition, the teams would present their projects to a jury that evaluated their work according to certain criteria and chose a single winner.

The Jury of Student Charette 2023
  • Ivan Kuryachy
    Co-founder and Managing Partner of Novaya Labs research center
  • Alexander Khlopcharov
    Chief Architect of Propilon
  • Madi Ismailov
    Head of the Public Relations Department at ERG

The event was organized to support the creative initiatives of future architects and designers of Central Asia. Year after year, Student Charette served as an excellent platform to support young architects on their professional journey.


Starting from 2025, participants can expect new features:

1. Online competitions will make participation more accessible, broadening the scope.
2. Individual applications are now accepted in addition to team applications.

3. The program now includes tasks in both urban studies and architecture.