Gorky Park Main Entrance Square
Moscow, Russia
Description: 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
Located in the square’s center facing the arch, a fountain made of programmed water jets becomes a new playful entrance into the park.
As a transition between the Muzeon Park in the north and Gorky Park, a playful kaleidoscope of reflection and light creates a dynamic space within the constraints of the tunnel.
Ginko trees create a soft shaded atmosphere within the main square.
Located between the Gorky Park offices and the bridge, the passage is designed as a village street; a narrow street where one can discover unexpected activities, such as cafes and boutiques.
Underground spaces and moments of compression are contrasted with the square’s open and welcoming character.
Despite its proximity to national and international landmarks Gorky Park and Victory Arch, the square’s currently configuration does not attract or invite people to stay.
The design proposal aims to reimagine the square as a welcoming public space with a timeless character, while respecting its surrounding historical and special context. A key design move involved introducing a comfortable underground walkway connecting Muzeon Park and Gorky Park. The underground walkway was designed as a futuristic space full of light and reflection, like a playful kaleidoscope, softening the of constraint in the underground space.
Above ground, two plazas were created within the square, framed by a water stepped basin on one side, and a stepped podium on the other. These plazas contain information about various activities and events hosted within the park.
A circular and tilted central lawn provides a place for people to sit, picnic, play and admire the park’s central axis. The lawn also facilitates pedestrian flows in all directions, becoming a landscape hub within park. On the two sides of the square, planted alleyways of Metasequoia trees, in continuity with the Krymsky Val renovated sidewalk, provide a sheltered promenade linking to the park.
All images are © Djao-Rakitine, unless otherwise stated.
