University environment today: problems and prospects of spatial organization. INRTU

Abstract

When it comes to advancing the higher education system, the Government’s priority is to create a state-of-the-art university environment with a one-of-a-kind innovation space. This paper analyzes the core factors behind this process: the specifics of the University’s life in the era of new technology; interpretation of the learning environment and its spatial organization as part of the University’s image; presenting the Campus as a progressive approach to embedding the University in the real world of today and its problems, as part of the University’s identity. The University herein means Irkutsk National Research Technical University, or INRTU. An important feature of this paper is that it addresses INRTU’s existence in the modern learning space as the learning environment is increasingly digitalized and the University needs to reorganize its environment to improve its quality, architectural and artistic value and significance. The author’s R&D efforts breathe new life into INRTU’s facilities to make them good for studies and research and suitable for commercial and cultural initiatives taken in the university environment; these efforts include creating a special entrance design for better image, designing innovative technology parks and communication spaces (coworking and creativity areas).