SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
We were among the first to develop sustainable design ideas in Russia.
Our portfolio includes completed projects certified under LEED, BREEAM, and FITWEL.
We are actively implementing the principles of Russia’s national CLEVER certification.
Origins and Name
Originally, ABD stood for “Architectural Bureau Dialog”. The name references the first Soviet-American enterprise, Dialog, founded in 1987. The company was known for distributing computing equipment and organising the first visit of Bill Gates to Moscow in 1990. To design its own office, Dialog invited Boris Levyant as chief architect. This was the beginning of the architecture department, which evolved into the independent bureau ABD in 1991.
Over time, the abbreviation acquired the addition “architects” as a sign that this is not one person’s bureau with an authoritarian opinion, but a collective of professionals in which everyone’s voice carries weight.
Pioneering Approach
In the 1990s, with the arrival of international companies in Russia, ABD established a partnership with the American firm SPG&A as ABD Limited. This joint venture enabled the adoption of Western standards, from project management to modern software.
This is how the practice’s approach to commercial architecture emerged, focusing on functional and sustainable solutions for business.
Architecture and Interiors
Almost from the start, the practice developed two main divisions: architecture—the main focus of founder Boris Levyant, and interiors — curated by Julia Shisharina. Together, they respond to all the demands of the times and the market, creating both large-scale architectural projects and functional commercial interiors.
This collaboration has strengthened the practice’s position in each niche and made the business resilient: the two divisions respond to economic fluctuations differently.
Project Management
In the early 2000s, we were the first to establish and develop a project management culture by introducing project managers into the practice’s workflow. These team members took on communication with clients, the city, and contractors, freeing architects from administrative work and returning their focus to design solutions.
This approach streamlined collaboration among all parties involved, enhanced project control, and made it possible to handle highly complex tasks. We continue to maintain and develop this organisational standard to this day.
International Experience and Reach
ABD architects has worked extensively with international colleagues (Gensler, HOK, Scott Brownrigg, NBBJ, Pierre-Yves Rochon, APA Wojciechowski, RTKL, Ingenhoven associates, and others), exchanging approaches to design.
We were the first in Russia to adopt international environmental certification standards. As a result, the practice’s portfolio gradually expanded to include projects for the world’s largest companies and institutions, including AIG/Lincoln, World Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Siemens, Adidas, Huawei, and many others.
Key People
Today and in the future, our practice will continue to unite architecture and business in dialogue. This is made possible by the key people at ABD architects.
Founder and CEO
Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences
Full Member of the International Academy of Architecture (IAA), Moscow chapter
Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts
A pioneer in introducing Western design standards to Russia, he combines global best practices with commercial performance.
Boris Levyant worked at the Genplan Institute of Moscow under the legendary Alexei Gutnov, focusing on transport and communication hub systems, the future TODs. During this time, he developed his broad views on urban planning and understanding of city development principles, which became the foundation of his professional approach.
Founder and CEO
Founded the Interior Department at ABD architects in 1991 and has led it ever since. She managed the earliest projects independently, and as the department team grew, she took on the responsibilities of Commercial Director while continuing to lead the team and work with clients.
Julia Shisharina oversaw the practice’s first projects for international clients, as well as major commissions including offices for KPMG, OMK, Standard Bank London, Baker McKenzie, Hoffman-La Roche, McKinsey & Company, Debevoise & Plimpton, Glencore International AG, Nafta Moscow, Lukoil Neftekhim, Romanov Dvor 2, Jones Day, Cisco Systems, Cushman & Wakefield Stiles & Riabokobylko, Meridian, Skadden, Herbert Smith, Nestlé, Credit Suisse First Boston, Morgan Stanley Bank, Rosbank/Société Générale, and Allen & Overy.
- Interiors Department Principal
- Office fit-out and sustainability lead (LEED, BREEAM, WELL, Fitwel, Klever).
With ABD architects since 2001, Denis Kuvshinnikov has spent the last two decades managing office interior fit-out projects. Leading the Interiors Department, he oversees team operations, client relations, and external communications.
Denis Kuvshinnikov worked on high-profile projects such as corporate headquarters for KPMG, Adidas, Nestlé, Johnson & Johnson, TNK-BP, Siemens, Huawei, Avito, Kaspersky Lab, Alfa Insurance, and others. He is a permanent jury member for CRE Awards, Best Office Awards (Officenext), FResearch (a Forbes Russia special project), an ESG and sustainability expert (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, WELL, Fitwel, Klever), and a regular speaker at Officenext and other conferences.
- Partner
- Principal Architect
An expert with 25 years of experience in designing and delivering major architectural projects in Russian and international practices. From architect to senior lead, Katerina has managed teams and steered projects through every stage. She started at ABD architects in 2000-2010, rejoined in 2021, and now heads the large-scale development department.
Katerina Levyant specialises in high-rises, sports facilities, and shopping centres, and her portfolio includes landmark projects such as the Olympic Stadium redevelopment (Kievsaya Ploshchad Group), Moscow Towers mixed-use complex (62 storeys, Werner Sobek), and Iset Towers residential complex in Yekaterinburg (52 storeys, Werner Sobek).
- Partner
- Principal Architect
Over 20 years with the practice, rising from specialist to top manager: Ilya oversees all projects within the architecture department, guiding them through every stage, from concept to completion.
His portfolio spans office centres, mixed-use developments, sports facilities, and riverfront developments, including landmark projects such as the Luzhniki Collection business cluster in Moscow, TMK Research and Engineering Centre at Skolkovo, G-Drive Arena in Omsk, Kotlin Island development concept outside Kronstadt, and many others.
Principal Architect
Alla Feoktistova joined ABD architects in 1997. She worked on most of the practice’s key assignments, including the White Square office development, Metropolis business hub, Western Gate business complex, Mercedes Benz Plaza office development, iCube office building, Europark shopping centre, TMK Research and Engineering Centre at Skolkovo.
Her vision was foundational to our practice, establishing the design standards and principles that guide our work.
- Chief Architect of Interiors Department
- ESG & sustainability expert (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, WELL, Fitwel, Klever)
- Member of the Russian Union of Architects
- Regular juror at Russian and international competitions
- Regular speaker at OfficeNext, MosBuild, ColorMix and Interlight Design Academy conferences as well as ArchDialog webinars.
Maria Korneeva joined ABD architects in 2003. As project architect, she oversaw several major commissions, including offices for BASF, Laboratoires Servier, Novartis, and Zagorsky Pipe Plant. She worked with the practice’s largest clients, notably Johnson&Johnson, TNK-BP, Siemens, RBI Group, and many others.
- Founding Visionary at the Architecture Department
- Before 2016: Director of Design
Over 20 years partnering with Boris Levyant and shaping the practice’s design philosophy. Boris believed in pushing the established norms, balancing beauty with commercial viability, and emphasising a collaborative culture where ideas are forged through debate.
An accomplished architect and artist whose work features in the MoMA collection, he valued dialogue over what he called an “architectural autism”—the insularity that leads to narrow thinking and ineffective solutions.
His legacy includes landmark projects such as the White Square office development (integrating the heritage Saint Nicholas church building), the Western Gate business complex (notable for its exceptionally low loss factor of 7.2%), Mercedes Benz Plaza office development (a benchmark for new era in commercial development), iCube office building (known for its efficient flexible-plan design), and Europark shopping centre (featuring a biomorphic silhouette and a distinctive fifth façade). Boris Stuchebryukov’s design philosophy remains at the core of ABD architects’ practice well beyond his passing in 2016.
