Flood-winning architects to speak at 100+ TechnoBuild

On September 29, as part of the "Architectural Marathon" at the 100+ TechnoBuild forum in Yekaterinburg, an event that urban planning and architectural industry professionals should not miss will take place: the CEO and chief architect of Turenscape, the world leader in designing climate—resilient cities, will address the Russian audience.

The climate crisis sets new rules for urbanism: while some regions are struggling with drought, others are facing devastating floods. In Russia alone, more than 1,100 settlements were flooded in 2026. At 100+ TechnoBuild, experts will present a fundamentally new approach for Russia to the interaction of the city and water — the concept of a "sponge city".

Hongjin "Tony" Yu, CEO of Turenscape and a participant in the Forbes Sustainability Leadership ranking, will talk about the company's approach to creating a waterproof urban environment. Turenscape has implemented more than 1,000 projects of water-retaining parks and squares in 250 cities located in the zone of typhoons, monsoon rains or floods. Unlike traditional solutions (dams and drainage drains), a precipitation management system has been created here that slows down water flows: water is purified, retained and gradually absorbed into the ground, replenishing underground aquifers. This approach makes it possible to prevent flooding even in heavy rainfall. Turenscape projects have been awarded leading international awards — their portfolio includes 16 ASLA Excellence and Honor Awards, 8 WAF Best Landscape Architecture of the Year Awards, 5 AZ Awards, the UIA Excellence Award and others.

Equally impressive will be the performance of Turenscape's chief architect, Hwang Jiinyi, an internationally recognized specialist in sustainable architecture. She will talk about a project that challenges extreme conditions.: The Museum of pterosaurs in Hami, built in the middle of the desert. The architects have coped with sandstorms, sudden temperature changes and chronic water shortages through a range of solutions: underground utilities, bioinspired wind management, sand recycling, passive cooling, closed-loop water use and solar energy. This project is a vivid example of low—carbon construction in one of the harshest climatic zones and a source of ideas relevant to Russian specialists.

Two polar cases — a "sponge city" for flood control and a museum in the desert to withstand drought — will show how modern architecture responds to extreme climatic challenges. At 100+ Technobuild, Russian architects and urban planners will be able to see working models that have already proven their effectiveness in China, India, Thailand and other Asian and European countries.

Come and listen to the global stars of sustainable design at 100+ TechnoBuild: lectures will be held on September 29, admission is free.