The famous “little ship” of BNTU — one of the most recognizable architectural landmarks in Minsk — will open its doors after a large‑scale reconstruction on September 1.Now it is not just an impressive building, but a modern educational complex where technology is working to improve the quality of training for future engineers and architects.
Auditorium fund
The total area of the building is 33,000 square meters. The eight‑storey part of the building occupies 22,000 square meters, and the remaining area belongs to the fifteen‑storey high‑rise section. This makes Building 15 the largest building at BNTU.
The capacity of the renovated Building 15 will be more than 2,800 full‑time students who will be able to study in the building simultaneously. Classes will be held in two shifts, which will make it possible to use the classroom space efficiently and ensure even utilization of all rooms throughout the day. The building is designed for four faculties: the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Construction, the Faculty of Transport Communications, and the Faculty of Energy Construction.
The building has an impressive classroom space. There will be 16 large lecture halls alone. Of these, three halls have a capacity of 195 people each, five have a capacity of 78 people, three more have a capacity of 182 people, and five have a capacity of 90 people. The sloping floors in the lecture halls ensure excellent visibility from any seat, which is especially important when demonstrating complex engineering and architectural projects.
The lecture halls have new furniture; they are now more spacious and brighter. In addition to the updated lecture halls, there are now specialized rooms for laboratory work, equipped with the latest technology. For students of engineering disciplines, it is extremely important to have access to modern equipment that allows them to acquire knowledge at the level of world standards. These changes do not just enhance comfort — they create an environment in which the learning process becomes more effective, and students gain access to tools that are appropriate for their future profession.
For each faculty that will be housed in Building 15, its own classrooms and laboratory spaces are provided. The laboratories cover a wide range of fields. In addition, the building is planned to feature competence centers that will allow students to master advanced technologies and study specialized disciplines in depth.
Everything is designed for the comfort of students and teachers.
A complete thermal modernization has been carried out in all rooms of the building – the facade has been insulated, the windows have been replaced, and the heating system has been upgraded. Now the building will retain heat even during the coldest months.
In addition, the following systems have been designed and installed:
a general ventilation system (ensures a constant supply of fresh air to all classrooms and corridors);
a smoke extraction system (a critically important fire safety element that was previously absent in the building);
The automatic water fire suppression system (activates upon detection of a fire); the video surveillance system (covers all key points of the building); the access control system (regulates entry into the building and individual rooms).
Architectural lighting has also been installed, which, when activated, gives the building an even more impressive appearance. The “bow”, “sides”, and “pocket” of the high‑rise part of the building become visible even from a distance. This is not only an aesthetic solution but also a safety feature — the illuminated building is better visible in the dark.
Why the reconstructed building is a step forward
The building has retained its outward appearance — the same “little ship” that is the hallmark of BNTU. But inside, it’s a completely different building, and the improvements have affected all key aspects: from the microclimate to the equipment of classrooms and offices. Every decision here is subordinated to the main goal — to create the most favourable conditions for acquiring knowledge and developing engineering thought.
The reconstruction affected not only the engineering systems but also the very philosophy of the educational process. The laboratories have been replenished with modern equipment that meets the current standards of the construction and architectural industries. This allows students not only to master theory, but to immerse themselves in tasks that are as close as possible to real design, and tomorrow they will be ready to use these tools in their profession.
An equally important result of the renovation was the careful preservation of the unique atmosphere for which the "ship" was so loved by many generations. Even during the years of reconstruction, the building attracted with its energy, and the spacious exhibition space on the ground floor invariably became a place of attraction for student works and creative ideas. Today, this aura has acquired a new quality – it has been enriched with light, warmth, and technological comfort. For future architects and builders, such an environment is invaluable: it clearly demonstrates how a bold concept, engineering precision, and human comfort can be combined – and this is precisely what is taught at BNTU.
The BNTU educational building No. 15 is returning to service, and not just as a building, but as a full‑fledged educational center where future leaders will study.
