The first stage of the Golden Spike 2026 competition has been completed, with the acceptance of applications for an open architectural competition to develop projects for the architectural and urban development of the VDNKh territory and Russian regions.
The competition received 378 applications from 44 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as from Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.
The competition received 378 applications from 44 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as from Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.
For the first time since its establishment in 2023, the competition has expanded beyond the borders of VDNKh. The country's main exhibition is collaborating with the regions of the Russian Federation on the "Golden Spike. Regions" project, which includes two regional venues. These are the urban-type settlement of Mokshan in Penza Oblast, founded in 1679 as a fortress of the Zasechnaya Cherta, and the city of Vorkuta in the Komi Republic, the easternmost city in Europe.
71 applications were submitted for the competition topic "Concept of Landscaping the Historical Center of the Town of Mokshan" from 18 regions of Russia, as well as from Belarus and Armenia. The topic "Concept of Reviving the City Park, Established in the Post-War Years in the Permafrost Zone" attracted the interest of 150 participants and teams from 32 regions of Russia, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. The main theme, "The Concept of the Year-Round Festival and Fair Center 'Russian Seasons' at VDNKh," received the most applications, with 157 submissions from 21 regions of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.
The results will be announced and the winners will be awarded on November 19, 2026, at the new Forum pavilion No. 20 of VDNKh EXPO as part of the ARKA International Exhibition on Architecture, Restoration, Culture and Archaeology. The winners will receive cash prizes of 300,000 rubles. The three best works will also be awarded with commemorative statuettes and diplomas.
The competition is organized by VDNKh with the participation of the Union of Architects of Russia, the Union of Restorers of Russia, the International Association of Unions of Architects, RosKapStroy, AUIPIK, and the Business Center for Economic Development of the CIS Countries.
The competition is organized by VDNKh with the participation of the Union of Architects of Russia, the Union of Restorers of Russia, the International Association of Unions of Architects, RosKapStroy, AUIPIK, and the Business Center for Economic Development of the CIS Countries.