Djao-Rakitine

Gorky Park Main Entrance Square Moscow, RussiaDescription: Public square and pedestrian underground walkway
Location: Krymsky Val Boulevard, Moscow, Russia
Area: 1.97 ha
Stage: Concept Design
Status: Competition
Period: 2017
Client: Strelka KB
Djao-Rakitine Team: Irene Djao-Rakitine, Hortense Blanchard, Marzia Vanzati, Amelia Chevee. Despite the potential of the site, located as an entrance square to the national and international landmarks Gorky Park and its Victory Arch, the place does not invite people to stay nor attracts visitors as much as it could.

Thereby the design proposal aims at creating a timeless character and a friendly identity to the entrance square where one of the main focuses is to redimensioning the space by creating sub-spaces where people feel more comfortable to walk and sit.

Two plazas are created within the square, surrounded, on one hand by water stepped basin and on the other hand, a stepped podium. At the plazas, information can be found about the activities in the park.

A circular and tilted central lawn provides a place for people to sit, picnic, play and looking at the central axis of the park. The lawn also facilitates pedestrian flows in all directions of the park, like a landscape hub for the park.

On the two sides of the square, planted alleyways of imposing Metasequoia trees, in continuity with the Krymsky Val renovated sidewalk, provide a sheltered promenade and make a strong connection to the park.

While the square needs to be carefully considered for its historical and spatial context, the underground walkway could become a futuristic space as a playful kaleidoscope, creating an infinite space and a transition between the Muzeon Park in the north and Gorky Park.More projects

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