On November 30, the final stage of the 11th Student Architectural Competition took place, showcasing the best projects of the year. Steel Freedom 2024 attracted 109 teams, comprising 407 students from 15 universities, who competed to design a general secondary education facility in Lviv.
Steel construction technology offers significant advantages for educational institutions, including rapid assembly, flexible planning solutions, and reduced environmental impact during construction. In recent years, Europe and the UK have seen a growing trend in using steel as the primary material for school buildings.
Trimble, a leader in technology for automating design and construction processes, has consistently supported Ukrainian students and universities. As part of the competition, Trimble introduced a special category with a monetary prize of €800. Participants in this category were tasked with using SketchUp, Tekla Structures, and Trimble Connect software to design a school and kindergarten complex integrated into an existing residential area.
After an expert review, the winner of Trimble’s nomination was Team L-303. Nikita Doroshko, a student from Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy named after O. M. Beketov, was the sole team member, taking on the roles of both architect and structural engineer. His project not only met all the technical requirements of the category, but also skillfully combined and separated spaces and volumes where needed. A key benefit of steel beam structures is their ability to span large distances, freeing interior spaces from columns and allowing complete freedom in room layouts.
Today, we speak with Nikita to learn about his journey, inspiration, and experience preparing for the competition.
“I am a student at Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy named after O. M. Beketov. This year, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning and am now pursuing a Master’s degree in the same field. I first heard about Steel Freedom during my early university years but decided to participate for the first time this year. Upon exploring the competition’s structure and requirements, I discovered the partner nominations. Seeing the Trimble category sparked my interest, as I am always keen to explore new technologies and software,” Nikita Doroshko shared. “As an architecture student, I was already familiar with SketchUp, but participating in the Trimble nomination required using another program — Tekla Structures. It was an excellent opportunity to work with software focused on structural design. I believe every architect should have an understanding of design processes and the tools used by structural and engineering professionals. I decided to dive into Tekla Structures and develop a structural model using it.”
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“Trimble provides students with free Tekla licenses and access to educational materials. Additionally, a webinar on designing in Tekla Structures was held for Steel Freedom participants. I also relied on a YouTube playlist by PJSC Arcada for competitors, which guided me in mastering the software, from creating connections for metal elements to preparing documentation,” Nikita continued.
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A native of Kharkiv, Nikita worked under challenging conditions, including shelling, intermittent power outages, and the dual responsibilities of architect and structural engineer. “It was a challenge for me, but I love creating something new, especially public buildings with social significance. My supervisor, Nataliia Kryvoruchko, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture of Buildings and Structures and Design of Architectural Environment at Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy, supported and advised me on complex issues.
I am immensely grateful to the organisers and sponsors for arranging such a large-scale event in the world of student architecture, to Trimble for the incredible opportunity to test myself and explore cutting-edge technologies, and to my supervisor for her support. Winning the Trimble nomination inspires me to continue improving and turning my dreams into reality.
To future contestants, I would recommend staying open to new experiences — from exploring modern architectural trends to learning unfamiliar software. Participating in student architectural competitions like Steel Freedom is a fantastic way to showcase your talent even while still in university.”
