Oleg Kurganskiy

Oleg, a creative and passionate student is on a determined path to pursue architectural studies in the United States. With a deep aspiration to become a renowned architect, he envisions a future where he leaves a lasting impact on society through his focus on experimental, innovative, sustainable, and comfortable housing. 

Growing up in Saint-Petersburg, surrounded by historical buildings, Oleg witnessed a mix of successful and disappointing renovations, some of which were left abandoned, igniting his passion for design. The government’s disregard for design and public opinion angered him, leading him to seek solutions for preserving historical buildings while transforming them into vibrant community centres. This journey taught Oleg the profound impact of design on people’s lives. Now, Oleg is committed to advocating for thoughtful design, creating meaningful experiences for individuals and communities. 

Oleg excels in Maths, Economics, and History A-levels, with predicted grades of A, A and A*. His academic achievements include winning accolades for his EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) on Soviet architecture, as well as winning a silver medal in the school’s maths competition and being recognized as the best History student of the year. Beyond academics, Oleg’s talents extend to music, as he plays guitar, piano and drums, actively participating in the school’s Jazz band. He is passionately engaged in promoting inclusivity as part of the Anti-Racist team and contributes to the school’s Social Sciences magazine. Oleg demonstrates a strong commitment to his passion for architecture and design by enrolling in online courses, nurturing his skills in drawing and design, and expanding his language proficiency by learning German.

Oleg’s commitment lies in becoming an aspiring commercial and residential architect, with a specific focus on revitalizing old buildings and transforming them into flourishing new venues. He seeks to prioritize green energy and efficiency in his designs, recognising the alarming reality that the real estate sector contributes to approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions due to poor architectural and engineering decisions resulting in inefficient energy consumption.