According to Forbes, demand for ready-made vacation resorts in Russia has increased by almost 60%. This interest is partly due to the widespread construction of such resorts.
Alexander Zudilin, CEO of the construction company “Stroygrad,” shared insights into the innovative construction materials used in the large tourist resort “Lesnaya Usadba” and the potential development of these technologies in the future.
Polina Devyatova, aif.ru: “Lesnaya Usadba” was a very ambitious project in your portfolio. Could you tell us about it as a whole?
Alexander Zudilin: From 2016 to 2018, under my leadership, the company was involved in the construction of a vacation resort using thermoblocks. The resort consists of 40 houses of two types. There will also be a roller ski track, a deer park, and an eco-trail between the lakes near the resort. Covering an area of 3 hectares, I also researched the technology and practical application of companies that use thermoblocks in construction and architecture in this project.
As the head of the development and construction of this colossal project, what challenges did you face?
Within this project, I oversaw the implementation of long-term and current production plans. It is crucial because these plans determine the tasks that must be completed to ensure the timely completion of projects and increase the company’s profits. I also ensured compliance with local regulatory, technical, and methodological documents regulating the production activities of the construction organization. I can confidently say that the implementation of this project helped the company attract ten new customers from private home construction. The company continued to grow in all key indicators. The volume of new contracts for the company’s products in physical terms increased from 1 million units per year to 1.1 million units per year—a 10% increase. In monetary terms, the growth amounted to 17%, from 220 million rubles to 243 million rubles.
For this project, your company received the prestigious international award Eco Best Award 2023—a independent award for the best products and practices in the field of ecology. Could you reveal the details?
In this project, we practically researched the technology and practical application of thermoblocks in construction and architecture, as our company was a pioneer in using this material in the market. Progressive building materials were used for construction. A specific aspect of the project is that this material has only recently gained widespread use in Russia. The award is given for the best products and practices in the development of energy and resource-saving technologies. Therefore, I believe that my development—the modernization of thermoblocks—will be of great benefit to society. Moreover, such a significant international award largely signifies the recognition of our work by the professional and scientific community, which is a reason for pride for us.
Why do you think your thermoblock technology, which you worked on modernizing, is in such high demand?
This is not only due to “green” social trends but also to construction trends. One of the most challenging tasks in construction is to reduce the thermal conductivity of walls. Traditional building materials (such as bricks) are not well-suited for this or are costly. There are various materials that outperform bricks in this aspect—such as aerated concrete, gas concrete, expanded clay concrete blocks, and thermoblocks. The thermoblock stands out as it is multilayered. Therefore, your wall receives what could be metaphorically described as “layered defense,” retaining warmth and comfort to a greater extent than other building materials (which, in my view, should be used for other construction tasks). Furthermore, the material provides economical benefits, as the thermoblock, while maintaining high quality, can be reasonably priced.
Having completed such a significant project, what are you doing in your company today?
Currently, I am actively working on scaling the company by hiring new employees and increasing the number of construction projects. On average, we are simultaneously building fifteen variously complex projects in the Leningrad and adjacent regions. In the future, I hope to continue expanding my business.
What principles do you rely on in your work, and what do you consider fundamental in your profession?
I always strive to make decisions based on legislation, regulatory acts, and the company’s interests. In my daily work, I focus on organizing efficient interaction between structural units and officials from the company’s management. I pay much attention to improving the company’s management methods and advanced technical equipment. For the past twelve years, I have ensured the timely fulfillment of all obligations of “Stroygrad” to state non-budgetary social funds, suppliers, customers, and credit organizations.