Creek Park, Kaliningrad

CREEK PARK in Kaliningrad, Russia Competition project for spatial development concept of a segment of Kaliningrad Green Belt

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colophon Competition project for spatial development concept along “Park� creek in Kaliningrad, Russia Project shortlisted in 7 winning entries Authors: Evgeniya bobkova urban designer mrudhula koshy urban designer Tatyana starchenko architect April 2015 2

table of contents project specifities

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context dissection

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concept

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masterplan

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urban foyer

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village square

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Cross-sections

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architectural details

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Project Specificities

map of kaliningrad showing green spaces and water bodies

Regional Parentheses The new public space along the “Park” creek is meant to be not an invasive presence but one that is integrated into the landscape. It is part of a larger ring; the green belt and the larger green network. The project takes the form of a creek park with a gradation in character. As a way to position the park as a semi quiet retreat that attempts to balance diverse characters of urban, rural and wild nature.

Surrounding urban fabric were used as potentials for deriving specific local conditions. They provided clues of structuring temporary programs as poles of attraction. The space is envisioned as an alternative attractive trail to reach the different parts of the city.

The proximity to train station and the proposed secondary entrance to the zoo are the two core reasons intended to increase public flow through the proposed park realm. A social and recreational space showcasing diverse spatial environments in a singular stretch while still protecting critical ecological realm is the main intention of the proposed program.

The Zoo

Wild Nature

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Garden City

Village

Soviet Avenue

City

Legend Project site Soviet Avenue fragment of traditional ‘garden city’ urban fabric along the green belt

Kaliningrad green belt

The Zoo

Railway Station

Project Site

City Center

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Context Dissection Why a Creek Park?

An impression of the site through history

The proposed project is nested in wilderness. The aesthetics of it has to be preserved; at the same time it has to be made accessible to the public; to the local as well as to the larger population if and when the secondary entrance to the zoo materializes. Hence the program has to be nuanced enough so that the wilderness is preserved intact but still provides space for the public to use. Subtle programming catering to recreation for all ages was deemed feasible in the context. A park that endorses and encourages diversity in space, use and time, but is not monumental in nature and allows space for reflection and quiet is our proposal.

Before the WWII, the open-air museum of etnography and Prussian architecture was located on the project site, but after Kaliningrad became the part of Soviet Union the part of the creek adjacent to the zoo became abandoned. Historical context and memory of the place remain essential elements that form the new identity of the Creek park and are reflected in new architectural elements and material structures of the park - not as “waxworks” of history, but as reinterpretation of historical heritage.

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Historic map of existing zoo and former etnogpraphic museum

Photograph of existing “Brahms” bridge

examples of prussian architecture in former etnographic museum along the “park” creek

present condition of the site

PANORAMIC VIEW showing “brahms” bridge

VIEW with existing city in the background

VIEW with existing city in the background

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concept

main Centralities

Worlds: changing environments

The existing levels and street network decided the positioning of the main centralities; the urban foyer positioned as the entrance from the main road (Soviet Avenue). This meanders to a square of a semi – village character and then proceeds to dissolve into the wild nature of the extension of the zoo. New bridge (balcony), which runs acroos neighbourhood, provides visual connection with the wild nature of the Zoo.

Wild Nature

Village

Wild Nature

Village

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City

Main Centralities

The Balcony View to the zoo from the bridge

Village Square Neighbourhood focal point

Urban Foyer Entrance from the Soviet Avenue

Localised Centralities

Landscape Character: Edges

Canyon (Zoo area)

City

Valley (Park area)

Zoo watch towers

Zoo entrance

Public centers

localised Centralities

FLOWS

Microcenters are shaped by crossings of the main promenade with pathways running from surrounding courytards. So local micronet of sidestreets and courtyards is integrated to alley-promenade of Creek park, making it attractive not only for city users but local inhabitants.

In the “zoo part� of the Creek park, the priority is given to animals, while the space for visitors is limited by promenade itself and zoo watch towers. In watch towers, from their top, of from the glazed ground level visitors can observe animals in their natural habitat.

Flows are organised in that way, that promenade can be fully used both during day time and in the evening, when the zoo is closed. At the same time animals can walk freely on the area without direct interaction with people.

Day Flows (Zoo opening hours)

Evening Flows (Zoo closed hours)

Animal Flows

Service Flows

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MASTER PLAN OVERALL plan Creek park provides spaces for cultural exchange, rest, relaxation, sports, children’s experience on slopes and with water, walking routes cafeteria, meandering wild nature is to the maximum preserved intact.

Organic routing of the promenade is derived from the spatial logic of the existing contours and weaving through a nuanced diverse program sequence catering to all ages of population.

Sometimes the promenade bounds over, sometimes it floats on water, sometimes it comes in close contact with water and sometimes it offers glimpses of the water from above.

Platforms follow the contour lines, interacting with the promenade by chance and not deliberately.

Programs feed into and reinforce the socio – cultural needs and way of life where everyday moments are given time and space; to linger, to reflect and to relax.

The entrance under the bridge directly connects to the elevated promenade. This promenade is intended as a floating walk from which people can traverse the length of the zoo. It restricts the footprint required for people and offers maximum space to the animals to roam free. It cultivates a spatial territory where the people are the prisoners instead of the other way around as in conventional zoos. At some junctions, people can go down through viewing towers and see the animals at close quarters.

longitudial SECTION through promenade Bridge-balcony

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Watch towers

Elevated promenade (Zoo part)

Zoo fence

Zoo entrance under Brahms bridge

Microcenters with public activities

Urban foyer (Entrance from Soviet Avenue)

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VISUALIZATION OVERALL PERSPECTIVE OF THE CREEK PARK

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URBAN FOYER PLAN The urban foyer is envisioned as the transition space between the modernist character of the Soviet Avenue and the creek park. A series of steps are integrated into the natural terrain. A gentle ramp for the handicapped winds through the series of steps.

At some junctures, viewing platforms have been envisaged. These offer a space to lie down and enjoy the view towards the promenade or a cooling green space. The lower end of the urban foyer go down to join the promenade and the first series of micro – centralities.

Master plan fragment: Urban Foyer

Legend

1. Playground 2. Chess 3. Table tennis 4. Table for vodka ceremonies for those who are not into sports 5. Kiosks 6. Urban foyer

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VISUALIZATION URBAN FOYER

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VILLAGE SQUARE PLAN The village square is positioned as a new node in the creek park. It takes advantage of the heritage character of the existing bridge. The character is gradually made more rural by the effective presence of existing wilderness which has largely been left untouched. Steps and ramps are carved into existing slopes to lead to the proposed entrance of the zoo beneath the bridge. An information counter and souvenir shop are also programmed beneath the bridge.

The cafe-pavillion is a contemporary interpretation of historical architectural character.

Master plan fragment: Village square and zoo entrance.

Legend

1. Place to position ticket machines (between bridge columns) 2. Tourniquets 3. Info-point 4. Zoo shop 5. Cafe-pavillion 6. Zoo watch tower 7. Animal compartments

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VISUALIZATION VILLAGE SQUARE

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cross-sections through diverse environments Micro Centralities Micro centralities are attached to the promenade. They serve as poles of attraction throughout the organic route with a diverse program sequence. Outdoor sports facilities, chess tables, picnic benches and children’s park facilities are organically spread to allow the visitor a choice of relaxation and interaction. The meandering stream plays a strong role; it is not just a spectator, but a vibrant participant in the routing. At some junctures, it is crossed over by floating wooden platforms; a way to interact closely with water.

Proposed Bridge It was considered important that the new bridge should not overpower the heritage of the old bridge yet should be nuanced in design to fit in with the organic nature of the design. We opted for ultra-high performance concrete to help span the distance and to achieve an organic design. The bridge is multi – functional in the sense that a part of it has been extended in footprint to allow a viewing platform.

Section A-A through microcentralities with a view to urban foyer

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B

A

C B

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section b-B through village square with a view to brahms bridge

Section C-C through the zoo with a view to a new bridge (Balcony)

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zoo watch towers

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

Cafe- pavilion

kiosks

Architectural Character The specificities for architectural character is derived from the past and then interpreted in a contemporary manner. Form of the proposed pavilion has been derived from the forms of the past in terms of the pyramidal roofs and cross bracing (fachwerk structures)

Schemes of main architectural elements along the promenade (left to right): zoo watch towers, cafe-pavillion(ground and first floor plans), kiosks.

Fachwerk structure from corten steel.

Panels: perforated steel and glass

Material Specificities Corton steel has been used for its timeless qualities in appearance on the facades of the pavilion and the viewing towers in combination with glass.

The promenade and platforms are made with wood to blend into the existing nature. The urban foyer is made up of cobbled stones, the typical pattern of which was used in Kaliningrad.

Materials: Corton steel, high-performance concrete, wood, glass

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zoo Fence and Street Furniture

Fence

The fence surrounding the zoo has to protect the zoo. At the same time, it should not be a blemish on the street. It is proposed to integrate the street furniture into the fence, thereby extending the realms of the creek park outside its boundaries and spilling public life on the streets even when the zoo is closed.

Fence: grill and panels from corten steel Wooden bench

Pavement in front of benches: wood Pavement of pedestrian area: historical cobblestone

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Rotterdam, 2015